There are several ways of worshipping god. One is by listening to his praises sung by others. Another is practising yoga. Penance also happens to be a way of worshipping him. For a knowledgeable person it is easy to read religious texts and worship the almighty. The ordinary man, who cannot read and comprehend religious literature, listens to discourses or meditates. There is an easier way of worshipping the lord, and that is by visiting temples and revealing bhakti.
Unfortunately, these days, people go to temples only if they are certain that some worldly reward or relief from suffering awaits them. So if a person visits a temple expecting no material rewards, no one is willing to believe that he is a genuine bhakta. He too is seen as one who seeks favours from god. That is the state to which bhakti has been reduced. Puranas contain illustrative vignettes of the lives of the devout who have shown it is possible to attain god through pure bhakti.
Realising the existence of god remains a distant ideal for many because we tend to be preoccupied with worldly matters. Bhakti is necessary to hold on to god. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa taught his disciples the value of bhakti in subtle ways. He was a living example of the infinite compassion and mercy of god. Though he lived for a few years, his influence lingers through the tradition he has rejuvenated.
When it was time for Prahlada to begin his education, he was brought before his father Hiranyakashipu. At that time, Hiranyakashipu was in a state of intoxication.
Prahlada too was in a state of intoxication, but of a different kind: he was intoxicated with Narayana Bhakti. His father tried to kill Prahlada, or at least frighten him, but Prahlada was unwavering in his devotion to Lord Narayana.
Bhakti Yoga denotes the spiritual practice of fostering loving devotion to god and is generally considered the easiest of the paths to liberation — the others being karma and gnana. The Bhagavata Purana extols bhakti as capable of leading to spiritual realisation. But in reality this yoga is difficult to practice and can be realised by paying the price of bhakti — offering pure and selfless love to god.
The Bhagavad Gita redefines the Bhakti bhava and establishes its crucial role in the jeevatma’s salvation by providing a direct link with the divine. It is a unique emotional experience and its flowering in an individual is directly proportional to the spiritual maturity that one attains gradually. This implies that the individual has faith in the message of the scriptures and in the teachings of the lord, preceptors and the devout saints who have directly experienced god and remained devoted to him.
A major change in thinking took place with the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita offered three distinct paths (margas) for attainment of moksha. In addition to the way of knowledge or wisdom (gnana yoga), the way of work (karma yoga) and the way of worship or devotion (bhakti yoga) were recommended. Many people do not know these forms of yoga by name but under the guidance of an enlightened teacher, they practice one of them — and they too pass beyond death.
Lord Krishna makes it clear that sincerity and humility characterise a devotee’s spiritual life. He affirms that if one’s thoughts are constantly with god, one will become his devotee and voluntarily offer obeisance to him. Such a person who is completely absorbed in him will surely come to him. Devotion helps one understand him as the supreme god.
We have to strive and keep our heart and mind pure to receive god in us. God’s incarnations are some of the ways in which he chooses to come close to his bhaktas to instil bhakti. The incarnations as Lord Rama, Lord Krishna or Lord Buddha stand testimony to the continued effect of inspiring bhakti and gnana that are essential in the spiritual path. He makes his presence felt. Only when all karmas are exhausted, is salvation possible. For a jeevatma, the practice of Bhakti Yoga continues through many births until the effects of both good and bad deeds are transcended. Bhakti should not change or get distracted. Bhakti in a limited sense is practised by many to get their desires fulfilled. But Bhakti Yoga calls for the necessary qualifications of determination and energy.
Comments
0 comment