Miscellaneous - Religion   

Requisites of Bhakti

CHENNAI: The Bhagavad Gita advocates the paths of Jnana, Karma and Bhakti, but claims that any Sadhana that is devoid of true devotion fails in its purpose. Sri M.V. Anantapadmnabhachariyar pointed out in a discourse that seeking God through the path of Bhakti rather than through knowledge (Jnana) is a sure way to attain Him.

Delving into spiritual texts can distract one from the purpose of enquiry, since the arguments, logical analysis and theoretical discussions are likely to assume greater significance than the aim of reaching God. Moreover intellectual attainments can easily boost one's pride or ego, the greatest hurdles to God realisation.

On the other hand, the path of the devout who seek to love God with true devotion is efficacious and is sure to lead to Him. Tremendous faith and true love to God are the only stipulations for the Bhakta.

Many are the instances in the Puranas and in the lives of the devout to vouchsafe this. The Lord responds to true devotion by assuming whatever forms sincere devotees have chosen to meditate upon. The Prema Bhakti of the Gopis of Brindavan is an outstanding example. These simple womenfolk were not learned and knew nothing of philosophy or scriptures. But they were rich in their love and longing for Lord Krishna. They were able to attain union with Him because of their unflinching attachment to him.

The staunch devotion of Poonthanum Nampudiri towards Lord Krishna at Guruvayur again indicates clearly that devotion need not go hand in hand with learning.

When this simple devotee approached the well-learned priest to initiate him into the practice of meditation, the priest had superciliously asked him to meditate on the Lord in the form of a horned bull.

Pleased with the devotion of the Nambudiri, and to teach a lesson to the haughty priest, the Lord appeared to him in the form of a bull when the deity was taken in procession.

The ability to love God with absolute devotion is of paramount importance and this unalloyed love to God gets reflected in love towards all creatures.

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