Contents Narada Bhakti Sutras –II

Hinduism lays great stress on individual freedom in practicing religion. One has to reform oneself, discipline oneself, before approaching the right 'Guru', who alone is capable of recognizing the potential of the disciples. Only persons with firm faith in dharma or code of conduct could be lead to spiritual practices. Human body was considered the basic medium towards leading a correct path. Hence one's body had to be nourished, kept in correct form, through yogic exercises, and mental discipline, to have control over senses. Humans by birth are given to sensuous pleasures. They have to learn control over desire, greed, enmity, anger and shunning wicked company. They also have to avoid atheism.

This setup is possible by 1) reading devotional literature, 2) doing continuous prayers, remembering God's grace all the time, 3) keeping company of holy men, and give up desire and anger. These instructions were for those who wanted to be loved by God. Those who wanted to face several hurdles in everyday life could also equip themselves with a strong mind if they practiced the guidelines provided in Narada Bhakti Sutras.

It is believed that there are three paths for spiritual practice. Jnanayoga, Bhaktiyoga and Karmayoga. Jnanayoga is concerned with intellect, Bhaktiyoga with emotions and Karmayoga with will, which directs humans for different activities. A person is free to adopt any one of the path. All the paths help purity one's soul. Assimilation of all the three is the highest goal. Narada the author has tried to have a synthesis of all the three forms, but as name of the text suggests, the stress is on devotion or Bhakti only. Bhakti in this context is transcendental experience of bliss and very different from ordinary meaning of 'love' or 'devotion'.

Bhakti or Divine love manifests itself in eleven forms:

Love of glorification of the Lord's blessed qualities
Love of his enchanting beauty
Love of worship
Constant remembrance
Love of service
Love of God as a friend
Love of God as a son
Love for God as of a wife or husband
Love of self-surrender to God
Love of complete absorption in God.
Love of pain of separation from Him. Any form was as sacred, pure and perfect for realizing Him.

Names of mythological characters are given to elucidate this point. But it is stated that ultimately, only love of the absolute, eternal Truth is the greatest. 'Bhaktireva Gariyasi' says Narada and through such intense Bhakti only the Lord manifests himself to the devotees. The last form of divine love, that of separation is characteristic of several saints of India which itself is manifested in many of their utterances.

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