||  Shree Hari   ||

Devotion and Its Glories

भक्ति और उसकी महिमा

continued.....

Just as one can bath in Gangaji in the month of “Maagh” (eleventh month of the hindu calendar) and in “Vaishaak” (second month of the hindu calendar).   Both are regarded as great and auspicious.    In the month of “Maagh”  due to it being very cold,  it is very difficult.   The air is also cold and the waters of Gangaji are also very cold !  When on bathes,  the body trembles,  many place in the body the blood thickens up,  it is very difficult to lift the clothes with one’s hand.  But in the month of “Vaishaakh”  one feels very pleased.    In the hot months,  when one bathes in Gangaji then it is very pleasing.  Int he same way,  if one establishes a relationship with God out of animosity, fear or aversion etc.  it is like bathing in the Gangaji in the month of “Maagh” and establishing a loving devotional relationship with God,  is like bathing in the month of “Vaishaak”.  In love, God appears very nice, very loving, very sweet.  On hearing His qualities, glories, name etc.  the heart becomes ecstatic.  

Just as the “self” is dear to a man of knowledge (jnaani), in the same way, a God is dear to a devotee  ‒‘तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च’ (गीता १० । १) “tushyanti cha ramanti cha” (Gita 10/1).   As God is dear to the devotee, day and night he sings the glories of God,  discusses about God,  listens to the glories about God.   He does not have to meditate on God, rather through him meditation on God takes places on its own.   Just as a hungry man remembers food on its own,  he does not have to try to remember it.  In the same way,  a devotee remembers God on his own.   While fighting with Indra,  Vrutraasur says ‒

अजातपक्षा     इव मातरं खगाः

स्तन्यं यथा वत्सतराः शुधार्ता: ।

प्रियं प्रियेव      व्युषितं विषण्णा

मनोऽरविन्दाक्ष दिदृक्षते त्वाम् ॥

                                                           (श्रीमद्भा॰ ६ । ११ । २६)

‘Just as a bird’s little children without any wings,  wait anxiously for their mother.  Just as the hungry calf that is solely dependent on the mother’s milk is anxious to drink the milk,  and just as the lonely chaste wife, is longing and wistful to meet her husband, in the same way,  O’  Lotus Eyed One ! my mind is restless to see you.    

With the curse of Mother Parvati,  on the surface, Vrutraasur was a demon,   but from within he was a loving devotee of the Lord.  Therefore he says ‒

न नाकपृष्ठं     न च पारमेष्ठ्यं

न सार्वभौमं न रसाधिपत्यम् ।

न     योगसिद्धीरपुनर्भवं    वा

समञ्जस त्वा विरहस्य काङ्क्षे ॥

                                                            (श्रीमद्भा॰ ६ । ११ । २५)

‘The ever fortunate one ! leaving you,  I neither want the heavenly planes, the Brahmalok, earthly kingdom, singly ruling the netherlands, acquisition of super-natural powers of Yoga, to that extent, that I do not even want liberation ’

  (to be continued)

From book in Hindi ‘ Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

Devotion and Its Glories

भक्ति और उसकी महिमा

continued.....

Parvatiji said ‒

जन्म कोटि लगि रगर हमारी । बरउँ संभु न त  रहउँ कुआरी ॥

तजउँ  न  नारद  कर  उपदेसू । आपु कहहिं  सत्‌  बार  महेसू ॥

                                                           (मानस, बाल॰ ८१ । ३)

Janma koti lagi ragara hamaari, barau sambhu na ta rahau kuaari

tajaun na naarada kara upadeshu, aapu kahahin sata baara maheshu (Manas, Baal.  81/3)

As for myself I must wed Shambhu or remain a virgin, no matter if I have to continue the struggle for ten million lives.  I will not disregard Narada’s admonition even if Shambhu Himself tells me a hundred times to do so.”  

In this way,  in love the devotee’s thoughts only go towards God.   Love is considered even greater than Liberation.   Dharma (righteousness), Arth (prosperity), Kaam  (desires) and Moksha (liberation)  are regarded as the four  goals of man.  Love, the fifth “purushaarth” is even further ahead than these four goals of man “purushaarths”.   In liberation,  man desires his own pleasures,  but in love he desires God’s pleasure.   The loving devotees’ sentiments are such that even if he has to go to hell, then too it is not a problem,  but God should get pleasure, He should get rest and relaxation.   The "gopikas" lived in Vrindavan,  while Lord Krishna lived in Mathura.   But the gopis did not go to Mathura,  because Lord Krishna did not want that they come to Mathura.   Though being so,  the gopika’s minds were constantly engaged in God.   Even Brihaspati’s main disciple,  Uddhavji who was a man of knowledge (jnaani), could not shaken the gopi’s mind,  rather on seeing their loving sentiments,  himself was shaken from his knowledge !   Just like the gopis,  may our minds too be in contemplation of the Lord, may our speech sing His glories,  may our ears listen to talks about Him.  May all our senses remain naturally engaged in God ‒

वाणी गुणानुकथने   श्रवणौ कथायां

हस्तौ च कर्मसु मनस्तव पादयोर्न: ।

स्मृत्यां शिरस्तव निवासजगत्प्रणामे

दृष्टि: सतां दर्शनेऽस्तु भवत्तनूनाम् ॥

                                                             (श्रीमद्भा॰ १० । १० । ३८)

‘O Lord ! may my speech remain immersed in describing your divine qualities.  May my ears remains engaged in listening to your divine plays.   May my hands be engaged in your service,  and may my mind remain engaged at Your Lotus feet.  may my head remain ever bowed to prostrate in front of the world and may my eyes, continue to behold the saints who are your very own self.

We have given existence to the world and after giving it existence, we have given it importance,  due to which our senses have become engaged in the world.   Let the flow of our sense move away from the world,  and become engaged in God -  this is called devotion.    Just as the mother appears very loving to the child, her name appears very sweet,  her proximity is most dear,  similarly,  when God, His Name and His proximity appears dear,  appears sweet - then this is the beginning of Devotion.  

Just as even without wanting, by mistake,  if someone touches the fire,  then the hand will be burnt,  in the same way,  in which ever way if the mind becomes engaged in God, then it will lead to salvation.   If you develop an affinity with God even if it is due to feelings of animosity, fear, aversion etc.  towards God, then too it will lead to salvation only,  but this is not devotion.   Devotion is that in which one develops a loving relationship with God.   (to be continued)

From book in Hindi ‘ Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

God and His Devotion

भगवान्‌ और उनकी भक्ति

Of all the spiritual practices for attaining one’s salvation,  Devotion  “Bhakti” is best of all ‒ ‘त्रिसत्यस्य भक्तिरेव गरीयसी भक्तिरेव गरीयसी ।’ (नारदभक्तिसूत्र ८१) Love and remembrance of the Lord and His Name (bhajan) is devotion.    The meaning of “bhajan”  is to take in (assimilate, absorb).  Just as food, water and air are taken-in by the body,  similarly for the “self” it is essential to take in God. In other words,  to love His is bhajan.   

पन्नगारि सुनु प्रेम सम         भजन न दूसर आन ।

अस बिचारि मुनि पुनि पुनि करत राम गुन गान ॥

                                                                  (मानस, अरण्य॰ १० में पाठभेद)

There is no “bhajan” equal to love,  therefore, time and again the contemplative ones sing the glories of God -  It means that on singing the glories of the Lord, one develops love for Him.   God appears nice,  appears sweet, He appears dear and loving -  this is Love.   The insentient,  the perishable things, in other words, leaving aside the attraction that we have towards money,  pleasures, family, body, ,  let our attraction be towards God only -  this is called love.    In reality, our attraction is towards God only,  but giving importance to perishable objects,  we have instead developed an attraction for the world.  Just as Gangajal (holy water of Ganga) is so sacred,  that even on seeing it,  sins of millions of years are destroyed.  However,  in rainy season, after flooding,  when the water lever decreases,  then some of the water gets lodged in small puddles and ditches.   This stale and standing water  is very impure, like “alcohol” .  The reason being that it has become separated from the flow of Gangaji,  it has become distant from Gangaji.  Gangaji has severed (renounced) relationship with it.  If we fill our water contained with the water of Gangaji,  it does not become impure, because we have taken it from Gangaji.  Gangaji has not renounced relationship with it.   Similarly God is most sacred and holy -‒‘पवित्रं परमं भवान्’ (गीता १० । १२) “Pavitram param bhavaan”  (Gita 10/12).   And being a part (ansh, fraction) of Him,  our “self”  is also holy and pure ‒‘चेतन अमल सहज सुख रासी’(मानस, उत्तर॰ ११७ । १)  “Chetan Amal Sahaj Sukh Raasi”  (Manas,  Utter.  117/1).   However, not being attracted to God, and instead attracted to perishable sense pleasures, our life has become like the “stagnant Ganga water”  which is most impure and unholy.   Just as with the rising flow of Gangaji, the water from the stagnant pools, blends with Gangaji and becomes pure and holy,  in the same way, when one develops attraction towards God   then his entire life becomes most holy and sacred.  

Just as the flow of Gangaji, is constantly going towards the ocean,  in the same way,  twenty-four hours, the flow of our tendencies should go towards God.  Whether God makes Himself visible to us or not, whether He accepts us or not,  but our mind should only go towards God.   Just as Bharatji Maharaj said ‒

जानहुँ राम कुटिल करि मोही । लोग कहउ गुर   साहिब द्रोही ॥

सीता  राम   चरन  रति  मोरे । अनुदिन   बढ़उ   अनुग्रह  तोरें ॥

                     (मानस, अयोध्या॰ २०५ । १)

Jaanahun Ram kutil kari mohi,  log kahau gur saahib drohi

Sita Ram charan rati more,  anudin badhau anugraha tore (Manas, Ayodhya. 205/1)  

Let Shri Ram take me for a wicked fellow, and let the people call me an enemy of my preceptor and master.  All the same by your grace may my devotion to the feet of Sita and Sri Rama grow day by day. (to be continued)

From book in Hindi ‘ Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

God and His Devotion

भगवान्‌ और उनकी भक्ति

to be continued......

मायाहस्तेऽर्पयित्वाभरणकृतिकृते     मोहमूलोद्भवं मां

  मात: कृष्णाभिधाने    चिरसमयमुदासीनभावं गतासि ।

  कारुण्यैकाधिवासे  सकृदपि    वदनं  नेक्षसे  त्वं मदीयं

  तत्सर्वज्ञे न कर्तुं प्रभवति भवती किं नु मूलस्य शान्तिम् ॥

                                            (प्रबोधसुधाकर २४४)

‘O’ Krishna Naamavaali Maa !  That which is born at the root of allurement,  arising like a star, in raising a son like me,  handing me over to the hands of allurement,  you have become indifferent towards me for many days.   Oh!  the one and only compassionate Mother !  Just once, do you not look towards me?     O’ my all encompassing one !   are you not capable of removing that endearment and creating peace within me  ?

A man of knowledge,  from the very beginning regards himself as great (Brahma),  but a devotee always regards himself as small (child).  He never considers himself to be big.   Therefore God says  ‒

मोरे प्रौढ़  तनय  सम  ग्यानी ।

बालक सुत सम दास अमानी ॥

                                 (मानस, अरण्य॰ ४३ । ४)

Goswami Tulsidasji Maharaj on becoming old,  regarded himself to be a child only, and says to Mother Sitaji ‒

  कबहुँक अंब, अवसर पाइ ।

  मेरिऔ सुधि द्याइबी,  कछु करून-कथा चलाइ ॥ १ ॥

  दीन, सब अँगहीन, छीन, मलीन, अघी अघाइ ।

  नाम लै भरै उदर  एक  प्रभु-दासी-दास कहाइ ॥ २ ॥

  बूझिहैं ‘सो है कौन’,  कहिबी नाम दसा जनाइ ।

  सुनत राम कृपालु के मेरी बिगरिऔ बनि जाइ ॥ ३ ॥

  जानकी जगजननि जन की  किये बचन सहाइ ।

  तरै तुलसीदास भव    तव नाथ-गुन-गन गाइ ॥ ४ ॥

If some thought comes in a child, then he tells his mother only.   When a thought came in the mind of Goswamiji’s mind, then he too would tell his mother (Sitaji), that do not take my name in front of Raghunathji.  First tell  the touching tales of the devotees of the Lord.   And when Raghunathji,  becomes immersed in love,  when tears flow down His eyes,  then mention my name,  or else,  his sight will go towards my qualities !  Do not even take my name directly.  First say that there is one such devotee who satisfies his hunger by taking Your name, and he is called the servant of your servant, Tulsi.   Goswamiji,  also entices his mother saying Maiyya !  If my work gets done, then I will sing the glories of your husband’s qualities.  This is the language of a straight-forward and innocent devotee of the Lord,  not one of a clever person.   It has been said for devotees  ‒‘सरल सुभाव न मन कुटिलाई’ (मानस,उत्तर॰ ४६।१)  ।   "saral svabhaav na man kutilaayi"   (Manas, Utter.  46/1)   

कपट गाँठ मन में नहीं, सबसों सरल सुभाव ।

‘नारायण’ ता भक्त की,    लगी किनारे नाव ॥

kapat gaanth mana mein nahin, sabson saral subhaav |

‘Narayan’ taa bhakt ki, lagi kinaare naav ||

Narayan ! Narayan !! Narayan !!!

From book in Hindi ‘ Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

God and His Devotion

भगवान्‌ और उनकी भक्ति

to be continued......

A devotee does “japa”  etc.  because other than that,  what will he do !  as best of best work is that (japa) only.   But his feelings are not that through this “bhajan”, I will attain God”.  His feelings are that in fact, the “bhajan”  is taking place out of God’s grace only and God Realization will also take place by God’s grace.   Having no other support apart from God’s grace, is exclusive devotion.   With exclusive devotion,  God can be easily attained.   There is nothing whatsoever that is as sweet as God’s “bhajan”.  Therefore,  devotee constantly-perpetually remains immersed in God’s “bhajan”.  God says ‒

मच्चित्ता मद्गतप्राणा     बोधयन्तः परस्परम् ।

कथयन्तश्च मां नित्यं तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च ॥

                                                                          (गीता १० । १)

Macchittaa madtapraanaa       bodhyantah parasparam |

Kathayantsch maam nityam tushyanti cha ramanti cha ||                                                              (Gita 10/9)

"Those devotees that surrender their inner-senses, their life breath to Me, they knowing My qualities, My glories etc. and sharing these glories, they are at all times, constantly contented and in loving devotion of Me."    

         The reason being that for him no work remains pending, without God’s “bhajan”.  It has come in the Bhagwat ‒

अकामः सर्वकामो वा मोक्षकाम उदारधीः ।

तीव्रेण भक्तियोगेन      यजेत पुरुषं परम् ॥

                                                                  ( श्रीमद्भा॰ २ । ३ । १०)

Akaamah sarvakaamo vaa mokshakaam udaaradhih |

Teevrena bhakti yogen yajet purusham param ||

(Srimad Bhagwat 2/3/10)

‘He who is an intelligent gentleman, free of all desires, or, he who has all sorts of desires,  whether it be for liberation etc.,  through intense discipline of Devotion (Bhaktiyog), he should only do the “bhajan” (devotion, love, prayer, japa, worship etc) of only the eternal Supreme Lord.’

If someone says that I want nothing whatsoever,  I have no desires of any sort whatsoever, then what to do ? Then the answer that you will get is that, only do “bhajan”  of God.   If someone says that I want everything,  I want sense enjoyments, I want liberation,  I want honor,  I want to be healthy (free of diseases),  I want a son-daughter,  then what to do?   Then too you will get the same answer,  that only do “bhajan”  of God.   Because only God can give everything.  All things cannot be attained through effort.   Some may say that I only want liberation, and nothing else, then what should I do ? Then you will get the same answer, that only do “bhajan” of God.   For everything the solution is one only ‒ night and day do “bhajan” of God,  be engaged in only God.   Just as a child remains dependent (reliant) on only God.  If any work arises, then he calls out only -  Maa !  Maa !   Besides that what else can he do ?  What else does he have the power to do ?  The reason he says Maa-Maa, is because he finds the name “Maa” to be very sweet, very dear.  Adi-Shankracharyaji Maharaj was a saint and a philosopher of such a great stature, then too he would call Lord Shri Krishna “Maa”.   

to be continued.......

From book in Hindi ‘ Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

THE ORIGINAL LECTURE WAS DELIVERED IN HINDI. IF THERE IS LACK OF CLARITY IN THE MESSAGE DUE TO TRANSLATION, PLEASE VISIT THE MESSAGE IN HINDI AT :  

http://www.satcharcha.blogspot.com/

||  Shree Hari   ||

God and His Devotion

भगवान्‌ और उनकी भक्ति

to be continued......

Therefore a devotee sees that whatever is good,  is good due to God’s grace and whatever is bad, is so due to his own mistakes.   In fact this point is very true.   A devotee does not apply his cleverness,  he does not lie, rather he sees it like this - that however I am,  that is the way I am !  It is out of God’s grace that all this work has been accomplished,  which people think it is mine and are regarding me a noble and great.   When Hanumanji returned from Lanka and came to Lord Ram, then God said to him ‒

सुनु कपि तोहि   समान उपकारी । नहिं कोउ सुर नर मुनि तनुधारी ॥

                                                            (मानस, सुन्दर॰ ३२ । ३)

sunu kapi tohi samaana upakaari,  

nahi kou sura nara muni tanudhaari (Manas.  Sunder.  32/3)  

“No one endowed with a body - a god, human being or sage - has put me under such obligation, Hanuman as you have done.  

Hearing this Hanumanji said “Traahi !  Traahi !!”  and saying so, he fell at the Lord’s Lotus Feet ‒

सुनि प्रभु बचन बिलोकि मुख गात हरषि हनुमंत ।

चरन  परेउ  प्रेमाकुल  त्राहि    त्राहि  भगवंत ॥                                                                          (मानस, सुन्दर॰ ३२)

Suni prabhu bachana biloki mukha gaate harasi hanumamta,

charana pareu premaakula traahi traahi bhagavamta (Manas, Sunder. 32)

Even as Hanuman listened to the words of his Lord and gazed on His countenance,  he experienced a thrill of joy all over his body and fell at his feet,  overwhelmed with love and crying:  “Save me, save me (from the tentacles of egoism) my Lord.”  

What sort of difficulties was Hanumanji faced with, that he cried out “Traahi !  Traahi”  (save me !  save me !!) to be saved from it ?  That calamity was -  Pride (egoism).    Hearing his praises and greatness from the Lord, he cried out “Save me !  Save me !!” so that no pride develops in him. He then said that everything has happened due to Your radiance my Lord,  not due to my power and strength ‒

सो सब तव प्रताप रघुराई । नाथ न कछू मोरि प्रभुताई ॥                                                               (मानस, सुन्दर॰ ३३ । ५)

Where there is no pride,  an aspirant faces no obstacles whatsoever.   The obstacles is only when an aspirant has pride and thinks that he has abilities, strength,  understanding, knowledge,  detachment,  renunciation,  ability to repeat the divine name of the Lord etc.   A devotee sees no abilities in himself,  rather he sees himself as totally incapable.  Therefore God’s abilities work in his case.   If one takes refuge in God, then God does all the work.  ‒‘लाद दे, लदवा दे, लदवानेवाला साथ दे’, ‘योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम्’ (गीता १ । २२)   "yogakshemam vahaamyaham" (Gita 9/22).  This is exclusive devotion.   It is God’s nature (habit) that he only finds that devotee dear,  who has no other support ‒

एक बानि   करुनानिधान  की ।

सो प्रिय जाके गति न आन की ॥

                                                            (मानस, अरण्य॰ १० । ४)

Ek Baani karunaanidhaan ki |

So priya jaake na gati aan ki || (Manas, Aranya. 10/4)   

Therefore ‒

एक भरोसो एक बल       एक आस बिस्वास ।

एक राम घन स्याम हित चातक तुलसीदास ॥

                                                                            (दोहावली २७७)

"Ek Bharoso, ek bal ek aas biswaas;  

Ek Ram Ghan syaam hit chaatak Tulsidas." (Dohaavali 277)

‒ In this manner,  with exclusive sentiments,  only take shelter of God and do “bhajan”.   One should not have pride of even doing “bhajan”, that I am doing so much “japa”, meditation etc.  

to be continued.......

From book in Hindi ‘ Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

God and His Devotion

भगवान्‌ और उनकी भक्ति

to be continued......

Hanumanji and Shabari did not lie,  they were not manipulative and calculative,  rather they spoke naturally, in a straight-forward manner,  because there was not the slightest bit of pride in them.   A devotee sees nothing great in himself,  and only believes all to be God’s grace.   When nothing whatsoever is ours, then what is the reason for pride ?  When we see qualities in us, and we regard those qualities as ours, then pride arises.   A devotee does not see any qualities in himself, therefore there is no room for a devotee to develop pride.   The means and the goal, the spiritual practice and the attainable - are both God only.   He believes the spiritual practice to be out of God’s grace and the attainment of the attainable to be due to God’s grace.   

God’s grace is showering equally on all ‒‘सब पर मोहि बराबरि दाया’ (मानस, उत्तर॰ ८७ । ४)  ‘Sab per mohi baraabari dayaa’ (Manas. Utter.  87/4)  Just as the Sun shines equally over all,  but using a mirror,  and concentrating the light,  a fire can be lit.  It is the working of the Sun to illuminate the fire,  and it is the work of the mirror, to capture the Sun’s rays and concentrate and focus them to light a fire.   Similarly it is the work of God, to shower His grace and to accept God’s grace is the work of a devotee.  There is no favoritism in God’s grace.    If there is no pride, then God’s grace flow straight towards you.  However, when you see something special in your self,  that I know so much,  I am so understanding,  I have so many abilities,  then due to pride,  barrier is placed in the arrival of that grace.   When one sees even the slightest bit of qualities, greatness,  effort, abilities in one’s self,  then “bhakti” does not come about.   Our pride is an obstacle in devotion.  Therefore,  if some virtuous deeds are accomplished,  then the devotee does not regard it as his own,  and regards it as being done by God.  Naturally and automatically his sight goes towards God.

आछी करै सो रामजी,   कै सद्गुरु कै सन्त । भूँडी बणै सो आपणी,     ऐसी उर धारन्त ॥

ऐसी उर धारन्त,    तभी कछु बिगड़ै नाहीं । उस सेवक की लाज,     प्रतिज्ञा राखे सांई ॥

संतदास मैं क्या कहूँ, कह गये सन्त अनन्त । आछी करै सो रामजी,   कै सद्गुरु कै सन्त ॥

Whatever good work that gets done, it is done by God,  Satguru or Saints.  Maharishi Valmiki says to God ‒

गुन तुम्हार समुझइ निज दोसा । जेहि सब भाँति तुम्हार भरोसा ॥

                                                        (मानस, अयोध्या॰ १३१ । २)

A devotee regards good virtues and qualities as that of God, and sins and flaws as his own.  The reason being that virtues are axiomatically and naturally God,  and flaws are individual and arise due to pride in us.  

to be continued.......

From book in Hindi ‘ Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

THE ORIGINAL LECTURE WAS DELIVERED IN HINDI. IF THERE IS LACK OF CLARITY IN THE MESSAGE DUE TO TRANSLATION, PLEASE VISIT THE MESSAGE IN HINDI AT :  

http://www.satcharcha.blogspot.com/

||  Shree Hari   ||

God and His Devotion

भगवान्‌ और उनकी भक्तिर

There is great significance of devotion in Srimad Bhagavadgita.  When God listens to Arjun’s prayers,  and shows His Universal form, and says to Arjun,  that besides you, no one else has seen this Universal form previously and no one else can even see it.  (Gita 11/47-48).  Then further on, at Arjun’s bequest, God reveals His four armed form (form of Vishnu) for which He says to Arjun ‒

नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा    न दानेन न चेज्यया ।

शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ॥

                                                                         (गीता ११ । ५३)

"Naaham vedairna tapasaa ne daanena chejyayaa

shakya evamvidho drashtum drushtavaanasi maam yathaa (Gita 11/53)

"The manner in which you have seen Me, that form (with four-arms) of Mine cannot be known through either the Vedas, or through austerities, or through charity or through sacrifice." (Gita 11/53)

When God can’t be seen by any spiritual practice, then through whom can he be seen ?  To this God says ‒

भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन ।

ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं  च  तत्त्वेन    प्रवेष्टुं च    परन्तप ॥

                                                                        (गीता ११ । ५४)

"Bhaktyaa tvananyayaa shakya ahamevanvidhorjun

gyaatum drashtum cha tatven pravedushtum cha parantapa. (Gita 11/54)

"However, O Valiant Arjuna !  It is only through single-minded devotion, that I can be seen in this form (four-arms), known in essence and even attained/realized."

Here the point to pay attention to is that,  through devotion, one can  know, see and penetrate (merge) God,  i.e. all three can take place.   But, wherever God has talked about knowledge, there one can only know and penetrate (access) through knowledge, these two points have been specified ‒ ‘ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम्’ (गीता १८ । ५५) "Tato maam tatvato gyaatvaa vishate tadantanam"  (Gita 18/55)  "After realizing my quintessence (tattva), man immediately merges into Me."    With devotion, one can even behold God - this is the glories of devotion,  whereas even on attaining Knowledge (jnana),  one cannot behold God !

Even Ramayan reveals, the great significance of Bhakti (devotion).  It says that knowledge is like a lamp, but a devotee is like a self-illuminating gem.  (Manas, Utter॰ 117‒120) For lighting a lamp, one needs “ghee” (clarified butter),  wick, etc. and if the wind blows, it can blow it out, but the gem, needs no clarified butter, no wick, etc, and nor does it blow off with the wind ‒

परम  प्रकास   रूप   दिन   राती ।

नहिं कछु चहिअ दिआ घृत बाती ॥

मोह  दरिद्र   निकट  नहिं   आवा ।

लोभ  बात  नहिं   ताहि  बुझावा ॥

प्रबल  अबिद्या   तम  मिटि  जाई ।

हारहिं   सकल   सलभ   समुदाई ॥

                                                          (मानस, उत्तर॰ १२० । २-३)

Not only that, the liberation that can be attained with great difficulty via knowledge, that very same liberation, can be attained, without even desiring, and it can be attained naturally, on its own,  through  devotion and love of God, ‒

अति  दुर्लभ  कैवल्य  परम  पद ।

संत पुरान  निगम आगम   बद ॥

राम भजत सोइ मुकुति गोसाईं ।

अनइच्छित   आवइ   बरिआई ॥

                                                               (मानस, उत्तर॰ १११ । २)

From book in Hindi ‘ Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji