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Means to liberation

CHENNAI: Devotion to God (Bhakti) is both a means to liberation and an end in itself. A person who practises devotion as a means to liberation has to progress step by step. Devotion that results in ecstatic union with God is an end in itself. According to the philosophy of Advaita only knowledge (Jnana) of the Self (Atman) leads to liberation. The Absolute (Brahman) is formless (Nirguna) and hence devotion is only possible to God with form (Saguna).

Madhusudana Saraswati, an Advaitin and a great devotee, reconciles this apparent paradox on the lines of the Gita by stating that it is the man of wisdom (Jnani) who is a true devotee. Lord Krishna has said, “Four types of devotees of noble deeds worship Me, Arjuna, the seeker after worldly possessions, the afflicted, the seeker of knowledge, and the man of wisdom. Of these the best is the man of wisdom, ever established in identity with Me…” Madhusudana Saraswati had explained that the first three types of devotees had a motive for devotion while the Jnani’s devotion was for its own sake and hence he was the true devotee, said Sri C.L.Ramakrishnan in his discourse.

The Bhagavata Purana was a work composed by Vyasa to highlight the importance of devotion to God, the glory of His incarnations and it also explains the salient features of devotion through the lives of great devotees. But it lays as much emphasis on Self-knowledge and hence the right scripture for one desirous of liberation. The prelude to this Purana is devoted to expounding its greatness wherein occurs the story of how Gokarna facilitated the liberation of his brother Dhundhukari.

The brothers were the very embodiment of piety (Gokarna) and evil (Dhundhukari). Dhundhukari because of his licentious life died in tragic circumstances and so his spirit wandered restlessly. Finally it revealed its plight to Gokarna who was surprised that even though he had performed obsequies (Shraddha) at Gaya, Dhundhukari’s soul had not been redeemed. On the advice of scholars Gokarna prayed and stopped the Sun-god who instructed him to read the Bhagavata Purana in seven days. The spirit resided in a bamboo pole and listened to the exposition, and attained liberation.

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