The Secret of Devotion (continued)
A devotee's heart becomes continuously and uninterruptedly absorbed and engrossed in the Lord of all, that Supreme Being. The heart's engrossment can be due to one's fear or hate as in case or Mareech, Kans, Shishupal etc., however, that engrossment cannot lead to "bhakti" devotion; as the joy of relish in devotion is not experienced. Just as some individual takes a dip in the purifying water of Gangaji in the months of "Vaishaak" (beginning of summer, April – May timeframe), then he becomes free of all sins, and his inner-senses are purified; and even in taking a dip, he experiences a relish, a certain joyful feeling, however he who immerses in Gangaji in "Maagh" (winter months, January – February timeframe), his sins are most definitely wiped out, but due to the cold, there isn't the joy of bathing, rather that joy is screened out and he experiences some difficulties. In this way, those in a relationship with God out of fear and hate, their inner-senses instead of being joyful, are sorrowful and worried. Therefore their inner-senses cannot enter into devotion. Thus "Bhakt" devotee is he whose inner-senses become one with God, with feeling of "my very own" (aatmiyataa) and with firm faith, love and devotion. However those that have established a relation with God and think of Him due to fear and hatred, they are better than those who have no belief or faith in God. Then what to speak of those who with faith and love, without any selfish motive, are exclusively devoted to God. Just as Gangaji is naturally and constantly flowing towards the sea, in this she neither has her own purpose nor does she stop anywhere, similarly, a devotee who is exclusively devoted to God, he neither desires anything of his own, nor does he ever take a break from remembrance and worship of God; he is constantly and at all times, without a selfish motive engaged in devotion and love of God. Even Shri Naradji says -
"Bhakt Ekaantino mukhyaah" (Narad Bhaktisootra - 67).
3) Only considering God as one's beloved, and being devoted and worshipping Him exclusively is the best of all forms of devotion. One can also perform spiritual disciplines by regarding the entire world as a manifestation of God ; because God Himself manifested in the form of this world, therefore this entire Universe is a form of God and one can be devoted to the demi-gods etc by seeing the presence of God in them, and the fruits of that too is God Realization. In this manner, those who are devoted to God have two main qualities - 1) The spiritual aspirant must be free of all desires and 2) He has a sense of presence of God in that which he worships. By these, God Realization is a certainty. However even if there is not a feeling of presence of God in the entire world, but if the aspirant is entirely free of desires then too, the fruits of his service will be God Realization alone. Even though Dhruv's devotion and worship was desire laden, then too, out of Lord's grace, on attaining his desired fruit, he realizes God, as well. If someone considering demi-gods to be demi-gods, and being free of desires, follows orders of the Lord for the Lord's pleasure and is devoted to Him, then the fruits of that too is God Realization. Then he who himself is devoted to God, without any selfish desires, and is exclusively and undividedly devoted, constantly and always to God, then even God wishes to meet that exclusive devotee. God has said in the Gita -
Ananyachetaah satatam yo maam smarati nityashah |
Tasyaaham sulabh paarth nityayuktasya yoginah || (Gita 8/14)
"The yogi who perpetually thinks of Me and undividedly remains absorbed in Me, to him I am easily attainable. (Gita 8/14)
(to be continued)
From book in Hindi "Jeevan ka Kartavya" By Swami Ramsukhdasji
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If in doubt regarding the translation, please read the original Hindi message by Swamiji.
FOR MESSAGE IN HINDI PLEASE VISIT Date : 12th November, 2011 – BHAGWAD BHAKTI KA RAHASYA
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