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Infinite power of Bhakti

CHENNAI : The Bhagavata Purana claims that the path of Bhakti is a sure promise for liberation. Innumerable and exemplary accounts of devotion laying stress on love, faith and service to God bear testimony to this truth and serve to inspire devotion. Sri C.L. Ramakrishnan pointed out in a lecture that the inherent power of devotion is such that it ultimately enlightens and confers Jnana, though the initial practice of devotion may sometimes begin with the purpose of fulfilling worldly aspirations. Since all are not bestowed with the superior Jnana that leads to total devotion to the Supreme Being where there is no expectation of worldly desires to be attained, in many instances devotees begin with propitiation of the Lord for worldly gains and then move on towards the highest plane of devotion that longs for union with the Lord.

This truth is exemplified in the case of the two child devotees Dhruva and Prahlada. The sensitive and self respecting Dhruva sought the Lord with penance too severe for his young age to win from Him the boon of the legitimate acceptance in his father's palace that was denied to him. When the child beheld the Almighty in all His effulgence and glory, and experienced the Bliss of His presence, Dhruva realised the worthlessness of the original aim of his penance. Dhruva gained the enlightenment of the ultimate goal — God realisation — and considered all else including worldly attainments as of no value. Jnana (knowledge) and Vairagya (dispassion) are inseparable and integral to true devotion, and strengthen each other.

Prahlada's devotion on the other hand is the very essence of Jnana and devoid of any motive. Prahlada stood steadfast in his grasp of the omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence of Lord Narayana that kept him undaunted even when subjected to the callous treatment by his father Hiranyakasipu. The Lord manifested Himself from the very spot that Hiranyakasipu had indicated to prove His devotee's point.

The Lord subordinates Himself to the wishes of His devotees regardless of whatever form they conceive of Him, whatever way of worship they may adopt or whatever be the motive behind their devotion, provided they remain absolutely sincere and true in their devotion.

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