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Sermon on Bhakti

CHENNAI: The Bhagavata Purana sings the glory of the Lord and His devotees. The eleventh book of this Purana contains discourses on the attainment of illumination and liberation from the cycle of Samsara. Sage Narada narrated the sermon of the Navayogis — the group of nine yogis — that was delivered at the court of King Nimi to Vasudeva, father of Lord Krishna, who was eager to be enlightened about the path to liberation.

Sri O.R. Devanathan pointed out in a lecture that the sermon is an exposition of Bhagavata Dharma (path of devotion), wherein the doctrine of Bhakti and Jnana are spelt out with great devotional fervour though briefly.

The Navayogis were the sons of King Rishabha and were illumined souls who had attained knowledge of the Supreme Being and the universe. They were free to traverse the worlds and bless the created beings with their knowledge. It is said that once the nine yogis arrived by chance at the court of King Nimi where scriptural discussions were being held. King Nimi requested the Navayogis to expatiate on what constitutes the ultimate good of man and on the path of devotion that sanctifies the world.

Yogi Kavi highlighted the cause of sorrows of Samsara as arising from the identification of the Atma with the body, and attaining release from this is by seeking the Lord's feet through Bhakti Bhava.

A devotee dedicates all actions to the Lord seeing himself as a mere agent of Him, and thereby all the fruits of actions as well. The path of devotion is an inclusive one where birth, learning or status, have no standing, for the Lord chooses to reveal Himself and His truth directly to those whom he chooses to grace. This Bhagavata Dharma if practised sincerely can lead to salvation. There are no obstacles in this path, no chance of slipping from the righteous path even if one is not aware of philosophical or scriptural truths.

Unless one turns inward and seeks to know one's true nature, one cannot know the Lord. As long as one identifies with the body and the world, there will be constant fear of loss and death. It is through His grace that one can hope to get relief from the poisonous grip of Samsara. The Lord destroys all the accumulated sins of those who place implicit faith in Him. Such devotion leads to detachment from worldly objects.

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