We had so far
seen the first two chapters covering 33 Sutras that described Para Bhakthi,
which is the goal to be reached. Now we
shall see the next chapter that describes the sadhanas that take one to the
goal of Para Bhakthi.
Sutra 34
Tasyaaha sadhanaani gayantyaachaaryaaha.
For that (Para Bhakthi) teachers sing (many) practices.
Sutra 35
Tat tu vishayatyaagaat sangatyaagaachcha.
Now that (goal) by renunciation of worldly things and giving up
attachment.
Sutra 34 describes that the various spiritual masters prescribe the several sadhanas through “stuthis” or songs, in a poetic way by using the expression “Teachers sing”. From the next Sutra, start the sadhanas.
One of the sadhanas to
reach the goal of para-bhakti is by way of renouncing worldly
objects and giving up attachment. Kaivalya
Upanishad (Mantra 3) states: “Na karmana na prajaya dhanena
tyagenaika amirtatvamanasuh (Not by work, nor by progeny, nor by
wealth, but by renunciation alone, Immortality is attained.”). Renunciation of worldly things is an attitude born of the understanding
that the worldly objects have only limited value and that they will not give one
that inner peace and contentment. One may intellectually recognize the limited
worth of the worldly objects, but may not quite accept it emotionally. One must renounce the emotional attachment to
objects and cultivate the freedom from desire for these objects. The second aspect of this sadhana is
giving up attachment to the beings around in one’s life and to one’s
possessions. As regards relationship to
living beings, these are not to be renounced but one’s relationship is to be chastened
by freeing oneself from emotional dependence on them.
Sutra 36
Avyaavritat bhajanaat.
Through
uninterrupted (continuous), loving service of the Lord
Sutra 37
Loke’pi
bhagavadgunasravanakirtanaat.
By hearing and singing the
glories of the Lord even while engaged in worldly activities.
In Sutra 35, spiritual service was of
a negative character. But in Sutra 36
spiritual service of positive character is prescribed. The worship that sage Narada is advocating in
this Sutra is continuous non-stop worship. Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita
(8-14):
Ananyachetaah
satatam yo maam smarati nityashah;
Tasyaaham
sulabhah paartha nityayuktasya yoginah.
O Arjuna, to that yogi of
constant concentration and single-minded attention, who remembers Me
uninterruptedly and for long, I am easy of attainment.
Sage Narada echoes this idea in this Sutra by saying “Constantly remembering the Lord throughout one’s life is an easiest way of attaining Him.”
Sutra 36
presents another sadhana, viz., remembering God by listening to
the glories of God in stories and by singing His praises always, even while
engaging in worldly activities. Sage Narada is here apparently referring to the nine types of
bhakthi (Nava-vidha-bhakthi) stated in Srimad Bhagavadam, as follows:
“Sravanam, Kirtanam,
Vishno-smaranam, Pada-sevanam,
Archanam, Vandanam, Daasyam,
Sakhyam, Athma-nivedanam.”
The nine types of bhakthi listed
in the above verse are as follows:
1)
Sravanam – listening to
epics and puranas.
2)
Kirtanam – Singing
devotional songs.
3)
Vishno-smaranam –
Uninterrupted thinking of God as Vishnu or one’s Ishta devata.
4)
Padasevanam – Worship of
God’s feet meaning worship of God through service to people.
5)
Archanam – Doing puja or
any simple ritual.
6)
Vandanam – Chanting hymns
and singing His glories.
7)
Daasyam – Thinking and
behaving as God’s servant.
8)
Sakhyam – Acting and
thinking with a feeling of love and close intimacy with God as in friendship.
9)
Athma-nivedanam –
Surrender of self in intense devotion.
Adopting one or more of
these above modes one can engage in uninterrupted devotion all the time. After
stressing self-effort, Sage Narada stresses the importance of Grace of God,
Guru and Mahapurushas in the next five Sutras.
Sutra 38
Mukhyatastu
mahatkripayaiva bhagavatkripalesaad va.
Primarily
through the compassion of great beings and a little of Divine grace.
Sutra 39
Mahatsangastu durlabho’gamyo’moghashcha.
But (to obtain) the company of some one great is extremely difficult; it
is impossible to know them fully, yet it is infallible in its effect.
Sutra 40
Labhyate’pi tatkripayaiva.
Nevertheless, it is attainable through God’s grace.
One cannot reach the goal of uninterrupted bhakthi through one’s
own efforts alone; one needs help. Primarily,
what one needs is the compassion of a loving, compassionate person like a
spiritual teacher, or a saint. It is through their compassion or through a bit
of God’s Grace that one’s efforts will bear fruit.
In Sutra 39 sage Narada warns that
finding a proper teacher is extremely difficult and even when the opportunity
arises it is not obvious; it is subtle. Sri
Sankara says in Vivekachudamani (verse 3)
Durlabham trayamevaitad devanugrahahetukam I
Manushyatvam
mumukshatvam mahapurushasamsrayaha II
Human birth, mumukshuthvam,
the tutelage of a mahapurusha (a great realised person) are difficult to gain
without God’s Grace.
Also, one has
to be beware of false teacher who tempts the seeker with the promise of an easy
path without much sadhanas. And, there
is also the danger of not recognizing a true teacher when one meets
him.
So, sage Naradha states in Sutra 40, that
one should seek the Grace of God for getting the proper spiritual teacher. It
is by the Grace of God only that one turns a mumukshu. Again, it is only the Grace of God that will
lead him to the right Guru who will guide him in that path.
Sutra 41
Tasmintatjane
bhedabhavaat.
Because
between God and His devotees there is no difference.
‘Devotee’
in this context means the Para Bhakta and not every devotee. Lord
Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita (7-18) that
He views the Jnani Bhaktha (Para Bhaktha) as His very Self. Mundaka Upanishad (3-2-9) states:
-“Brahmavit Brahmaiva Bhavathi (The knower of the Brahman becomes
Brahman). Para Bhaktha is one who has realized his oneness with Brahman
and does not stray from this knowledge in all his activities. This Sutra is also interpreted as “that the
love of God knows no distinction among His children” and so anyone seeking His
Grace sincerely, steadfastly, and with single minded devotion will get it with kindness,
irrespective of his past before coming to the path of spiritual seeking.
Sutra 42
Tadeva saadhyataam tadeva
saaadhyataam.
That alone is to be
accomplished; that alone is to be accomplished.
The repetition in the sutra is to emphasize the point that the
sadhana as would enable one to obtain God’s Grace that would ultimately reveal God
through the teaching of a spiritual teacher is only to be practiced. Sadhana clears away all obstructions in the
way of understanding the true identity of one’s Self with Brahman.
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