T Ram Sewak

PRABHU PRIYA

Shri Ram now concludes his discourse on Navadha bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas (3.36)

"Nava hoyi, Nari koyi

Soi morey, Sakal torey"

"Whoever possesses any of these nine forms, be it a man, woman or any sentient or insentient being, is most dear to Me. Good lady, you are blessed with unflinching devotion of all these types".

Shri Ram emphatically asserts here that the bhakt is most priya to HIM. Here, HE is the Sadguru, elucidating the bhakti marg step by step and making it simple and accessible for all.

The first step is creating the ambience through Sant-Sang. The second is developing interest, a penchant for his Katha. The third is being spotted by the Guru and preparing for the journey by cultivating humility through sewa. The fourth step is purifying the bhakt mind through kirtan. On the fifth, HE turns the bhakt inwards through silent naam simaran or japa. The sixth form prescribes an attitudinal regime that helps him attain self-control and equanimity. On the seventh, Shri Ram raises the level, urging the bhakt to see HIM everywhere and everything in HIM. The eighth is the culmination of the sadhana through contentment and apaishunam, and the final (ninth) step is the core of bhakti, complete surrender and reliance on HIM.

This discourse is like a nine-course meal. You may savour each form progressively, reaching the pinnacle, filling yourself or picking up one form (like a meal course) and completely satiating your hunger.

Divine messages often appear repetitive. Shri Ram repeats the Navadha Bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas, and Shri Krishna does that in Gita until Arjun says (18.73) that all his delusions have vanished. A Sadguru purposefully repeats, expounds, and delineates the message until the shishya has wholly internalised it. Thus, by repeating the message, he makes us traverse the same path again and again, so walking the same path becomes a habit that leads us to HIM. / DAILY WORLD /

Namami Ramam Musings-32

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com