Why Do Pure Bhakti?

The criteria described in Nyaya darshan are used to establish the absolute authority of anything. In the last four publications, the three paths to God-realization, i.e. Karma, gyan and Bhakti were tested on the five litmus tests prescribed in Nyaya darshan.

Using various evidences from the Vedas [1] and Shastras, we proved that we can achieve our aim of life only through the path of Bhakti. Hence, when there is ONLY one path then all those who want to attain the aim of life will have to follow the philosophy [2] established by Jagadguruttam Swami Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and do devotion in order to attain the true, infinite and immeasurable divine bliss.

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Still some people have a little doubt. So let us address that.

As we read in the previous publications, both Karma and gyan are condemned in all the scriptures. Along with this, it was also explained that bliss can also be achieved by adding bhakti to the paths of Karma (called karma yog) or the path of gyan (called gyan yog). So now the question arises - “If the aim of life can also be attained by doing Karma yog and/or gyan yog, why not do one of those instead?”

Yes, this question is valid. Let's solve this question. Devotion is of 3 types, namely - 1) Arop Siddha Bhakti 2) Sanga Siddha Bhakti 3) Swaroop Siddha Bhakti.

So, Karma mixed with Bhakti can fall in the categories of Arop Siddha Bhakti and Sanga Siddha Bhakti. Whereas, gyan yog falls in the category of Sanga Siddha Bhakti.

Although, Sanga Siddha Bhakti has the ability to take the jeev closer to Shri Krishna to a certain extent, it cannot grant that ultimate closeness, and the real bliss of seva (serving) of Shri Krishna. Out of the 3 forms of bhakti mentioned above Swaroop Siddha Bhakti is the best because it bestows the highest class of bliss [3] and this is the bliss we seek but ignorantly.

Doing Bhakti along with Vedic Karma

For those who are deeply attached to the world [4], Vedas recommend the path of Karma which means following Varnashram Dharma (also doing karmkand) for those who desire to attain the luxuries of Swarg. However, the hidden intent is that jeev leads a life as prescribed in the Vedas. In other words establish the authority of Vedas in their mind. Also, in an attempt to attain luxuries of Swarg one would have to curb the sense of instant-gratification, also develop self-restraint and patience. It is with these qualities can one can perform those Vedic karma that will result in attaining Swarg after death [5].

If such a jeev meets a God-realized saint, the saint advises the jeev to continue performing the Vedic rituals and dedicate them to God. Please NOTE: these jeev still toil to fulfill their own desires; they don't aim to serve Lord Krishna to please Him. This is called Arop Siddha Bhakti .

Better than this is to perform Vedic rituals as a part of bhakti. This is called Sanga Siddha Bhakti.

While performing karmkand as a part of bhakti, sometimes the jeev develops love for God. As the bhakti matures, the mind gets engaged in God, then the Vedic karma is automatically left behind. This is called Karma Yoga. And when the mind is completely engaged in God, then abiding by Vedic karma completely falls off the radar. Then jeev continues to perform each karma as an expression of their love for Shri Krishna, this is called Swaroop Siddha Bhakti.

After returning from Maharas, Gopis became the emblem of such Karma yog. After Maharas, when Shri Krishna ordered the Gopis to return to their respective homes, the Gopis obeyed His orders and returned. Since then, every moment while doing daily chores, their mind remained completely absorbed in Shri Krishna.

या दोहने वहनने मथनोपलेप प्रेंखेंखनार्भ रुदितो क्षणमार्जनादौ ।
गायन्ति चैनमनुरक्तधियोश्रुकंठ्यो, धन्या ब्रजस्त्रिय उरुक्रम चित्तायानाः ।
भा १०.४४.१५

yā dohane vahanane mathanopalepa preṃkheṃkhanārbha rudito kṣaṇamārjanādau ।
gāyanti cainamanuraktadhiyośrukaṃṭhyo, dhanyā brajastriya urukrama cittāyānāḥ ।
bhā 10.44.15

“while milking cows, churning curd and extracting butter, cleaning their home, while fondling their children, etc. while doing other activities Gopis used to sing the names, virtues, pastimes of Lord Shri Krishna continuously and shedding tears in sweet remembrance”. That is, their mind was constantly engrossed in God while doing their daily household chores.

Gopis were illiterate! They did not have knowledge of Vedas yet they are the emblem of karma yog. So, it is evident that the highest nectar is not obtained by mixing devotion with Vedic rituals. It is attained only by selfless love [6][7].

Doing Bhakti along with Gyan

Those wanting to walk on the path of gyan have to first do bhakti to control their mind, only after that they become entitled to walk on the path of gyan. Self-realization is the end of the path of gyan. So, after attaining Self-realization, one needs to do devotion to the Personal form of God called Bhagavan to attain Brahmanand which means the bliss of Brahm.

As long as the jeev is still in the human form, he is called Brahmaleen Gyani. After death, that jeev merges into Nirakar Brahm, and is called Mukta (liberated Gyani).

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Bliss of Paramatma is sweeter than Bliss of Brahm

The nectar of Paramatma Mahavishnu is sweeter than bliss of Brahm. That's why the Brahmaleen Gyani drowns in it as soon as they get to experience the bliss of Paramatma Mahavishnu.

शुक सनकादिक तो कहँ प्यारो, इकटक लखत समाधि बिसारो ॥

śuka sanakādika to kaham̐ pyāro, ikaṭaka lakhata samādhi bisāro ॥

You must have heard the story of Kumars - Sanak, Sanandan, Sanat Kumar, Sanatan. They are first born sons of Creator Brahma and are Brahmaleen Paramhans by birth. They will remain as 5 year old children till the end of creation. They are also abadhgati, which means they can think of their destination and will reach there instantly. Once Kumars went to Baikunth lok. There, as soon as the fragrance of Tulsi leaves, kept at the feet of Mahavishnu, entered their nostrils, they became so mesmerized that they begged Lord Mahavishnu to banish them in hell, if He so chooses, as long as the bliss they experienced remains with them.

तस्यारविन्दनयनस्य पदारविन्द-किञ्जल्कमिश्रतुलसीमकरन्दवायु: ।
अन्तर्गत: स्वविवरेण चकार तेषां सङ्‌क्षोभमक्षरजुषामपि चित्ततन्वो: ॥
भागवत 3.15.४३

tasyāravindanayanasya padāravinda-kiñjalkamiśratulasīmakarandavāyu: ।
antargata: svavivareṇa cakāra teṣāṃ saṅ‌kṣobhamakṣarajuṣāmapi cittatanvo: ॥
bhāgavata 3.15.43

Both bhukti and mukti are called demonesses. Bhukti means lusting for the worldly sensual pleasures, and mukti means liberation from Maya. As bad as bhukti sounds, bhukti is better than mukti. While roaming around in the Sansaar-The World in 8.4 million species, if the jeev were to meet a rasik saint and the jeev surrendered to him, then it is possible for the jeev to attain divine-love. But mukti is far worse, because once one attains liberation, he is forever deprived of the bliss of love. However, before starting the spiritual practice of the path of gyan, if the jeev had formed a bhav deh of bhakti, then by the grace of Bhakti Mahadevi, once in a while, that is one in millions, a liberated Gyani again gets a body. If then he seeks shelter under the lotus feet of a rasik saint and does bhakti then the jeev can attain Premanand. Please note: mukt gyani renounces the Brahmanand that he has earned and receives the bliss of love of Bhagavan. Shankaracharya, the greatest proponent of the path of gyan, has also accepted this point.

Now let us ask Lord Shankar as well. The world knows that Lord Shankar is the bestower of mukti, then obviously the ones who receive mukti are lower in stature than Lord Shankar. At the time of pralaya, in a moment, merely by opening His third eye, without any weapons, He burns down the entire brahmand. He stays atop the Kailash mountain. When he came to know that the Brahma-Supreme God has descended as Ram in Ayodhya in Treta Yug, He left Kailash and started loitering in the guise of a Baba ji (an ascetic) in the streets of Ayodhya. Why? Lord Shiva thought - Just in case Lord Ram comes riding on His horse through these streets, I’ll get to behold His beautiful vision and my eyes will be blessed! Not only this, when the Brahma-Supreme God came as Krishna in Dwapar yuga, Lord Shankar arrived at the door of Yashoda Maiya and started asking for alms. But His request was quite unusual. He asked Maiya to show her son. Maiya said that seeing such a scary guise, my newborn baby will be scared, I will not show Him to You.

For “The One” Vedas proclaim

भयादस्याग्निस्तपति भयातत्त्पति सूर्यः। भयादिन्द्रश्च वायुश्च मृत्युर्धावति पञ्चमः ॥
गीता 11.23

bhayādasyāgnistapati bhayātattpati sūryaḥ। bhayādindraśca vāyuśca mṛtyurdhāvati pañcamaḥ ॥
gītā 11.23

That is, "Fire God, Sun God, king of Swarg Indra, God of Death etc. all discharge their duties properly lest they invite the wrath of Brahma-Supreme God. That Brahma will get scared upon seeing the garlands of skulls and serpents wrapped around the neck of Lord Shankar?” This is the logic of naive Maiya. Finally, Lord Shankar retreated to the banks of the Yamuna in great disappointment. There He cried bitterly saying, "O Shyamsunder! You are compassionate, You love Your devotees. Won't You see me? You can do everything! "

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् । मम वानुवर्तनते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ गीता 4.11

ye yathā māṃ prapadyante tāṃstathaiva bhajāmyaham । mama vānuvartanate manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ॥
gītā 4.11

That is, this is the rule of God, ”whosoever, with whichever sentiment and with however much intensity surrenders to Me, I reciprocate his sentiment in the same intensity”. Not only this, God says -

जो तू धावे एक पग तो मैं धाऊँ साठ । जो तू कर्रो काठ तो मैं लोहे की लाठ ॥

jo tū dhāve eka paga to maiṃ dhāūm̐ sāṭha । jo tū karro kāṭha to maiṃ lohe kī lāṭha ॥

That is, “if the jeev takes even a step forward towards God, then God takes sixty steps towards the person”. Just according to this rule, Leeladhari (the one who performs leelas) Shyam Sundar also started crying [8]. Maiya had not seen such a bitter cry before this. Seeing that He cannot be pacified in any way, with the counsel of other women, Maiya decided that the Baba has cast an evil spell on her son. So, He alone can ward off this spell, then, Shyam Sundar will be well again. Maiya herself set out to find the Baba. On the banks of Yamuna, Shankar ji was found. She fell at His feet and started requesting “Baba ji! My son is calling you”. Lord Shankar understood that His call led to so much change in Leela. Therefore, Lord Shankar went to see her son and as soon as Lord Shankar's eyes met the eyes of Shyam Sundar, the fake spell on Shyam Sundar was warded off.

अति रस भरे नैन रतनारो, जेहि लखि शंभु समाधि बिसारो ॥

ati rasa bhare naina ratanāro, jehi lakhi śaṃbhu samādhi bisāro ॥

Lord Shiva started performing Tandava dance in the state of divine ecstasy. Even at the time of Maharaas, Lord Shankar assumed a female form to participate in Maharaas and got the name Gopeshwar Mahadev. Who can claim to become greater gyani than Lord Shiva?

Brahmaleen gyanis plead for the bliss of Paramatma also called aiś‍varyānan‍da (ऐश्‍वर्यानन्‍द). Liberated gyani’s consider it to be a great fortune to practice sadhana of bhakti yog. Not only this, the bestower of mukti Lord Shankar is also doing devotion to Ram and Krishna. So, it is evident that the bliss of Paramatma is sweeter than the bliss of attribute-less Nirakar Brahm.

Bliss of Bhagavan is sweeter than the bliss of Paramatma

Mahavishnu is the deity of yogis. His consort Mahalakshmi once went to behold the vision of Shri Krishna. Mahalakshmi is very unpredictable, so her name is Chanchala (one who is restless or always in motion). But She was enchanted upon seeing Shri Krishna. Her desire to see Him continuously “one more time” overcame Her nature, to the extent that She stood there as achala (immobile). Akaran-Karun Shri Krishna held Mahalakshmi on the left side of His chest as the Srivats symbol.

उमा रमा हूँ जब लख प्यारो, निज पाति व्रत धरम बिसारो ॥

umā ramā hūm̐ jaba lakha pyāro, nija pāti vrata dharama bisāro ॥

"When Shiva's consort Mother Parvati and Mahavishnu's consort Mother Mahalakshmi see Shri Krishna, they also forget about their vow of undivided love for their husband". You read about Mahalakshmi above and as you already know Lord Shankar's Hladini Shakti Mother Parvati went to Maharas for tasting the sweet nectar of Shri Krishna’s love.

Let's hear the state of Lord Mahavishnu Himself. Lord Mahavishnu wanted to see Shri Krishna. So Lord Mahavishnu stole ten sons of a Brahmin of Dwarka. When the cries of that Brahmin reached Arjun’s ears, Arjuna pledged that he would bring back the ten sons of the Brahmin. Arjuna searched the Treilokya of the brahmand, even searched in Yamalok (abode of god of Death) but those sons were nowhere to be found. Then Shri Krishna took Arjun to the abode of Lord Mahavishnu. Seeing Shri Krishna Lord Mahavishnu was gratified and returned the ten sons of that Brahmin.

Lord Mahavishnu pleased to see Shri Krishna

द्विजात्मजा मे युवयोर्दिद‍ृक्षुणा मयोपनीता भुवि धर्मगुप्तये ।
कलावतीर्णाववनेर्भरासुरान् हत्वेह भूयस्त्वरयेतमन्ति मे ॥
भागवत 10.89.58

dvijātmajā me yuvayor didṛkṣuṇā, mayopanītā bhuvi dharma-guptaye
kalāvatīrṇāv avaner bharāsurān, hatveha bhūyas tvarayetam anti me
bhāgavata 10.89.58

When Lord Mahavishnu, the deity of the yogis, and his Hladini Shakti Mother Mahalakshmi are also infatuated by Shri Krishna, then it is proven that the bliss of the Supreme God Shri Krishna is sweeter and more unique than Bliss of Paramatma. Yet it is indescribable in words.

Levels of Bliss of God

Vedas refer to Nirakar Brahm as nectar.

रसो वै स: ।

raso vai saḥ

But for those devotees who are not satisfied with just nectar, for them God reveals his sweeter divine form of Paramatma. Some devotees yearn for even more intimacy than this. To fulfill the desire of those devotees He reveals the sweetest form of Bhagavan. Vedas call this form

रसो वै रसतमः ।

raso vai rasatamaḥ

“He is the sweetest nectar”. This form suits the taste of devotees of samartha rati.

There is only one Brahma-Supreme God AND these three forms are different aspects of Brahma [9].

As Nirakar Brahm, only two powers are revealed, maintaining existence and infinite bliss. This joy is also called Swaroopanand (स्वरूपानंद). Attainment of this form is the goal of Gyan Yoga.

Although it is of infinite quantity and is attained by a Brahmaleen gyani, yet sweeter than this is the bliss of Paramatma one of the types of Swaroop-Shaktyanand (स्वरूप-शक्त्यानंद). In this form of God there are name, form, qualities, abode, however there are no pastimes and associates. This is the form of prime opulence and is worshiped by Yogis. In this form, sweetness is more than Brahmanand.

And the sweetest is the Bliss of Bhagavan, which is also called Mansanand (मानसानंद). In this form of Brahma-Supreme God, there are names, forms, qualities, abodes as well as pastimes and associates. Only bhakti can give this bliss and cannot be attained by any other means.

What can be said about bliss in which not just those desirous of mukti drown, but the bestower of mukti, Lord Shiva, and the deity of yogis also drown. Though Saint Narad is the acharya (teacher) of bhakti yet he too could not fully explain the bliss of bhakti .

Conclusion

When bhakti anticipates help from gyan then it is not pure bhakti. While doing bhakti the only gyan required is that the jeev has a servant-master relationship with Lord Krishna [10]. If the one walking on the path of bhakti spends time and effort in learning about other things, then when will he do Sadhana to attain bhakti? Worse still, the aspirant will become addicted to acquiring all kinds of knowledge [11], then he will continue spending time learning about various topics. Acquiring knowledge of other paths is an obstacle [12] for the seeker on the path of bhakti. Therefore, formulate a better goal than this, the one that does not seek support of gyan or any other expedient.

Although devotion is such an infallible power that if it is mixed in any karma, gyan, yoga etc., then the jeev will definitely attain God. Bondage of Maya [13] will also be cut asunder. Yet the jeev will be deprived of the bliss of serving Shri Krishna [9] . What a colossal loss would that be!

साध्य शिरोमणि तो गोविंद राधे । कृष्ण सुख तात्पर्य सेवा बता दे ॥
राधा गोविंद गीत 3170

sādhya śiromaṇi to goviṃda rādhe । kṛṣṇa sukha tātparya sevā batā de ॥
rādhā goviṃda gīta 3170

“The crest jewel of goals is to attain the privilege of serving Shri Krishna to please Him”.

In the world everyone ascertains their goals according to their intellect and understanding. People have varying degrees of understanding and thus many goals. To achieve one’s goal jeev puts in effort, ultimately God bestows it to him. Those whose aim is to drink the sweetest nectar, for them investing all their resources in bhakti is the only thing worth doing.

To motivate the ordinary jeev to walk on this path, knowing the glory of bhakti is crucial. So, in all the publications in 2023 Banchary Didi will shed light on various aspects of bhakti. Starting next month she will start the series on how bhakti supports the travelers on this path and what awaits at the end of this path.

श्रीकृष्ण का ही रूप, गोविंद राधे, वैकुण्ठ नाथ महाविष्णु बता दे ॥

śrīkṛṣṇa kā hī rūpa, goviṃda rādhe, vaikuṇṭha nātha mahāviṣṇu batā de ॥

श्रीकृष्ण महाविष्णु गोविंद राधे, दोनों रूप ऐश्वर्य सम हैं बता दे ॥

śrīkṛṣṇa mahāviṣṇu goviṃda rādhe, donoṃ rūpa aiśvarya sama haiṃ batā de ॥

माधुर्य में तो श्रीकृष्ण गोविंद राधे, महाविष्णु से कोटी गुना हैं बता दे ॥

mādhurya meṃ to śrīkṛṣṇa goviṃda rādhe, mahāviṣṇu se koṭī gunā haiṃ batā de ॥

राधा गोविंद गीत

Lord of Vaikunth Mahavishnu is another form of Shri Krishna. Though Shri Krishna and Mahavishnu, both have infinite opulence yet sweetness of Shri Krishna is infinitely greater than that of Lord Mahavishnu.

- Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Maharaj
rādhā goviṃda gīta