Bhakti Sudha Reflections
-By Bhakti Sudha adult study group, summary by Raghav Khandenahally
In Bhakthi Sudha, Pujya guruji contrasts the following topics
Four purushartas and Bhakti
Devotion and attachment
Uniqueness of Devotion
I have put down the discussion in the form of a table for quick reference
Four purushartas and Bhakthi
| Goals | Practices | Benefits |
| Dharma | Practices by desire prompted meritorious deeds | Attainment of Higher lokas. This benefit perishes after exhaustion of punya |
| Dharma | Practices without selfish desires | Purification of mind, Helpful in yoga |
| Artha & Kama | Pursuit of wealth and pleasures | Worldly enjoyments which are temporary |
| Bhakti | Navadha Bhakti | Bliss of Pure Love for Lord |
Devotion and Attachment
| Attachment | Devotion |
| Makes people blind | Purifies the mind |
| Keeps changing spatially and temporally | Keeps increasing |
| Causes fall of people | Uplifts people |
| Gross and demands gratification | Subtle and only giving |
| Has cause and effect | Unconditional |
| Creates agitation and excitement | Creates peace and happiness |
| Causes disillusionment, frustration , depression, greed, boredom, dissatisfaction | Gives eternal joy, total fulfilment and enriching experiences |
Uniqueness of devotion (Bhakti)
| The path of Knowledge (Jnana-yoga) | The path of Yoga (Astanga Yoga) | The path of Karma (Karma Yoga) | The path of Bhakti (Bhakti yoga) | |
| Qualification | Sadhana Chatustaya Sampatti | Yama, niyama , asana, pranayama, pratyahara, , dharana, dhyana, samadhi | Rites and rituals have certain requirements and eligibility criteria . requires money, materials and time | None. Animals have attained supreme adobe |
| Benefits | Liberation , Mukti | Cessation of all thoughts | Purification of mind | All the benefits and additional benefit is Bhava ananda – joy of special relationship with the Lord |
Vimal Aga
The quote I liked from the text was the fact that no qualifications or extensive learning is needed to become an ardent devotee. “Bhakthi is supreme love. Even infants, the mentally challenged, animals and plants understand the language of love” says Pujya Gurudev Swami Tejomayananda.
Ramesh Krishnamurthy
The two verses that stand out for me:
अद्वैतानुभवादेव सर्वभूतहिते रतः।
सेवतेऽत्र नरो यद्वद्देहाङ्गानि ह प्रेमतः॥ २९॥
This is the first verse that I like as Pujya Guruji captures a message with a wonderful analogy. With the realization of the Singularity, the identification of that in all plurality, even though illusory, is implied. And he segues it wonderfully to how such a realization manifests – in treating all beings as himself, or better the Oneness.
सत्सङ्गस्सर्वदा कार्यस्सर्वविघ्नहरो हि सः।
अहंता ममता विघ्नास्तथैव च सुखस्पृहा॥ २५॥
In this verse, Pujya Guruji brings out the goodness of sat-sangha. In all ways in which we can sat-sangh, each one has in its own way help us get over the I-ness and My-ness. From role models to priceless lessons in the scriptures, from experiences to learning from others experiences, sat-sangha is always a big help in making progress along the spiritual journey.
Soundharya Nagasubramanian
Pujya Gurudev says in Bhakthi Sudha “ The Upanishads also declare – “Those who have supreme devotion for God as for the Guru, for them the meaning of the scriptures becomes self-evident. By following the path of devotion, all these results are attained automatically. Love purifies the mind” This is my favorite quote from the book as it outlines such a simple and natural way to attain liberation. The joy of a devotee in forming a relationship with the Lord is ultimate bliss unknown to the karmi, yogi or jnani.
Raghav Khandenahally
Pujya guruji brings up the unique and special benefit of Bhakti in the following verses.
भवानन्दोऽनुभूयेत भक्तैर्यस्स रसात्मक: ।
योगिभिर्नोपलभ्येत स्ख्यदास्यादिरूपक: ॥
Devotion in the form of a closer connection or a particular relationship with Lord, like friend or son etc, results in special Love towards Lord. Such connection elevates the devotees to a bliss unknown to karmi, yogi and jnani. This special joy can only be experienced by devotees.
यथा देवस्तथा बोधो ज्ञानयोगस्य लक्षणम् ।
यथा भावस्तथा देवो भक्तियोगस्य लक्षणम् ॥
Jnanam is vastu tantraha – knowledge is objective.
In the path of knowledge, God is understood as He is. God as He is and His true nature is expounded by Upanishads.
Bhakti purusha tantrahaa- Devotion is subjective. The Lord appears according to the attitude and aptitude of devotees. The devotee knows the true nature of God yet seeks a special form for worship.