Bhakti Yoga -2
In the previous article we saw various acts of bhakti done by the needy, the desirous and the curious… reaching out to God as problem solver, provider, protector, etc. All these acts are very much still part of bhakti when understanding-based corrections are applied, but Bhakti Yoga as a ‘path’, as such, still needs to be understood.
Conceptually, the end objective of Bhakti Yoga is much superior and beyond all the above. So, let’s explore what bhakti is, what the Techniques / Stages of Development on the path of bhakti are, what Characteristics / Aspects help in Bhakti Yoga, and who a bhakta actually is…
1. Bhakti:
Bhakti says God is everything and everywhere, so nothing else matters. Hence nothing else needs to be done other than worshipping and devoting oneself to God.
But surrender where? To what?… That was the question even Arjuna had, and he asked in (12.1), “which is easier to worship? Nameless-formless divine totality? Or one with name and form?” And Shri Krishna answers that the former (Nirgun) is difficult to comprehend, so identify and focus on a deity close to your heart with ‘name and form’ (Sagun) and make every effort to worship and surrender to that deity. As stated on the previous page, all bottles carry the same water, so Sagun bhakti is equally powerful and shall lead one to the ultimate realization.
2. Techniques / Stages of Development of Bhakti:
Shri Krishna explained the stages of bhakti from the highest state and linked it to the starting point… but He was addressing a very apt student like Arjuna. For us, we understand better if we start from lower to higher…
Bhakti Yoga – three stages, which map one’s growth on the path of God realization.
Good start – Start to give up attachment to the fruits of your actions (12.11) and later, start offering all your deeds to God (not just the fruits of actions), as if you are doing everything for Him (12.10).
Attunement – Practise techniques with the right intention. The implied meaning can be: practise self-control and mind-control to remain ‘focused’ on the goal of God realization (12.9).
Established Stage – Remain totally absorbed in God and God-contemplations, with a totally surrendered ego, mind and intellect, and continuously stay focused and meditate on Him (12.6 to 12.8).
3. Characteristics / Aspects of a Bhakta:
Around 20-plus qualities of a bhakta are mentioned (from 12.13 to 12.20). In this note, I have clubbed them into three ‘relatable’ groupings by ‘simplifying’ the technical definitions listed in the text.
Be good and do good – Remain pure internally and externally, be alert and balanced, be devoted, and practise kindness, forgiveness and control of the senses and mind, etc.
Prepare yourself – Practise detachment, remain focused on the goal, practise unclutching from ‘I, Me and Myself’ rightly, and keep arrogance under check, etc.
Rise above – Rise above all dualities, internal and external. Be balanced and equanimous in ‘happiness–sadness’, ‘pleasure–pain’, ‘friends–enemies’, ‘credit–discredit’, ‘respect–disrespect’, etc.
Remember – rising above is not being insensitive or indifferent; it is ‘rising higher’ with understanding…
Shri Krishna stated at least 6 times in the above 8 shlokas that such a person with these qualities is “Dear to me”… Let’s look at the implied meaning… When someone is ‘dear to us’, we proactively protect and take care of that person. Isn’t it? 😊 – A great motivation to ardently work on oneself to inculcate these qualities…
So, finally, who is a bhakta?
4. Bhakta:
A bhakta is like a drop of water that happily gives up its individuality to ‘become’ The Ocean by merging itself into The Ocean.
Concluding the Bhakti Yoga NOTES with interesting questions to ponder over.
Can ‘bhakti’ be consciously developed? Or is it just ‘found in the heart’, present already?
For a bhakta, is it the ‘pain of giving up everything’? Or the ‘joy of gaining everything’ and becoming the Totality?
Well, this calls for understanding God as Everything / Everywhere and also understanding the ‘world’… that’s ‘Vishwarupa’ – the Totality of everything. That’s the next page in my notes diary… next week… stay tuned.
