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Great devotee religion

CHENNAI: Association with saints is difficult to obtain and for those who are fortunate to come under their influence, it will be a transforming experience. One of the recommended practices prescribed for spiritual progress often stressed in tradition is cultivating the company of the devout and saints as this enables the seeker’s mind from getting swayed by the materialistic influences of the world, which act as impediments.

In his discourse, Sri B. Sundar Kumar said the teaching of the nine Yogiswaras in the Bhagavata Purana offered much spiritual insight. This was narrated by Sage Narada during one of his visits to Dwaraka to Vasudeva and Devaki. Vasudeva submitted to the sage to enlighten them on Dharma that was conducive to realising God saying that he had in his previous birth worshipped the Lord for the sake of progeny (and blessed to be His father in His descent as Krishna) but not for the sake of liberation. Narada then remembered the discussion that took place in the days of yore between Janaka and the nine Yogis, who were the sons of Rishabhadeva, a part manifestation of the Lord undertaken by Him to popularise the path of renunciation. Rishabha had 100 sons, and of them Bharata was the eldest who became the emperor and after whom this land came to be known. Of the rest, nine became great ascetics: Kavi, Hari, Antariksha, Prabuddha, Pippalayana, Avirhotra, Drumila, Chamas, and Karabhajana. These wandering Yogis visited a sacrifice performed by King Nimi and taught the assembled when he asked them to.

Kavi counselled that for those who were attached to the body, worship of God was the safest course to pursue. After embarking on the path of devotion, the devotee should dedicate all his actions to the Lord. When a person turns away from God he forgets his true spiritual nature by mistaking his body for the Self due to the Lord’s deluding power of Maya.

The second Yogi said the foremost among devotees was one who looked upon all creatures as himself thus identifying himself with all. A great devotee would see the universe as God’s Maya and hence though in contact with the sensory objects would neither experience delight nor repulsion.

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