Bhakti (devotion) in Hinduism new light
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The principles
Swami Tejomayananda, March 30, 2023: The Times of India
The word ‘bhakti’ is derived from the root ‘bhaj’, which has many meanings – to worship, be devoted, serve, gain, and to know.
In the Tulsi Ramayan, Aranya Kanda, there is an episode where Lakshman wanted clarifications on some topics. One day, he found his brother, Ram, sitting by himself. He approached him with humility and said, “I have some questions which I would like to be answered, but more than anything else, I want to know about that devotion because of which compassion flows out from your heart to bless the devotee. ”
Bhagwan Ram replied: That because of which my heart melts quickly, and I rush to the devotee – is called bhakti – ‘jatein begi dravaun mai bhai so mama bhagati bhagata sukhadi’. Interestingly, he did not point to any particular actionor thought constituting bhakti. Had he done so, people would have said, “I can’t do that!” The noteworthy point is: Did your action touch the heart of Bhagwan? Did it melt his heart? That something which touches the heart of the Divine and melts it – is called devotion.
To illustrate Ram’s words, there is a story from Krittivasi Ramayan in Bangla. When the bridge was being built across the ocean to reach Lanka, all monkeys were bringing huge boulders to help construct it. There was also one squirrel, who kept scurrying to the ocean, wetting his body, rolling in the sand, scampering to the bridge, and shaking the sand off him. The monkeys were irritated with this little creature getting in their way. But Bhagwan understood the motive behind the squirrel’s action, who alsowanted to help in building the bridge. He picked it up and caressed its body. The squirrel’s act touched the heart of Bhagwan. That is bhakti.
When we speak of actions that touch Bhagwan’s heart, it is not necessary that we are doing them for Bhagwan directly. A son’s total devotion to his parents melts the Divine’s heart, as He is the innermost Self of all beings. When the son pleases his parents, and they bless him, Bhagwan is very pleased. That is why, because of Pundalika’s utmost devotion to his parents, Bhagwan came to him in Pandharpur.
Therefore, we have matr-bhakti, pitr-bhakti and guru-bhakti. If the guru is pleased with your bhakti, then Bhagwan is also pleased because they are one. Likewise, if someone offers gau-seva, service to cows, the Divine is pleased. Once on a pilgrimage with other devotees, Sant Eknath Maharaj was carrying water from River Ganga to Rameshwaram. On the way, he found a donkey rolling on the ground due to heat and thirst. Other than Sant Eknath, everyone ignored the poor creature and moved on. But, the saint stopped and poured the Gangajal in the donkey’s mouth. Bhagwan was so pleased with this act that He gave darshan to His bhakta there itself.
In the Ramayan, Jatayu, the vulture, sacrificed his life to protect Princess Sita by directly challenging Ravan. Bhagwan’s heart melted; he even performed the Shraadh Karma for Jatayu, rituals that he could not perform for his own father. The amount of work done and the length of time are irrelevant. What is crucial is: Did your action touch Supreme’s heart? Did it melt his heart? The writer belongs to Chinmaya Mission.
