{"id":1346,"date":"2025-06-01T07:45:29","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T14:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/?p=1346"},"modified":"2025-06-12T15:06:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T22:06:13","slug":"reflections-from-bhakti-sudha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/reflections-from-bhakti-sudha\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections from Bhakti Sudha \u2013 Adult Class, 2024-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bhakti Sudha Reflections
\n-By Bhakti Sudha adult study group, summary by Raghav Khandenahally<\/p>\n

In Bhakthi Sudha, Pujya guruji contrasts the following topics
\nFour purushartas and Bhakti
\nDevotion and attachment
\nUniqueness of Devotion<\/p>\n

I have put down the discussion in the form of a table for quick reference<\/p>\n

Four purushartas and Bhakthi<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Goals<\/b><\/td>\nPractices<\/b><\/td>\nBenefits<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dharma<\/td>\nPractices by desire prompted meritorious deeds<\/td>\nAttainment of Higher lokas.
\nThis benefit perishes after exhaustion of punya<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dharma<\/td>\nPractices without selfish desires<\/td>\nPurification of mind,
\nHelpful in yoga<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Artha & Kama<\/td>\nPursuit of wealth and pleasures<\/td>\nWorldly enjoyments which are temporary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bhakti<\/td>\nNavadha Bhakti<\/td>\nBliss of Pure Love for Lord<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Devotion and Attachment<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Attachment<\/b><\/td>\nDevotion<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Makes people blind<\/td>\nPurifies the mind<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Keeps changing spatially and temporally<\/td>\nKeeps increasing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Causes fall of people<\/td>\nUplifts people<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gross and demands gratification<\/td>\nSubtle and only giving<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Has cause and effect<\/td>\nUnconditional<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Creates agitation and excitement<\/td>\nCreates peace and happiness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Causes disillusionment, frustration , depression, greed, boredom, dissatisfaction<\/td>\nGives eternal joy, total fulfilment and enriching experiences<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Uniqueness of devotion (Bhakti)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nThe path of Knowledge (Jnana-yoga)<\/b><\/td>\nThe path of Yoga (Astanga Yoga)<\/b><\/td>\nThe path of Karma (Karma Yoga)<\/b><\/td>\nThe path of Bhakti (Bhakti yoga)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Qualification<\/td>\nSadhana Chatustaya Sampatti<\/td>\nYama, niyama , asana, pranayama, pratyahara, , dharana, dhyana, samadhi<\/td>\nRites and rituals have certain requirements and eligibility criteria . requires money, materials and time<\/td>\nNone.
\nAnimals have attained supreme adobe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Benefits<\/td>\nLiberation , Mukti<\/td>\nCessation of all thoughts<\/td>\nPurification of mind<\/td>\nAll the benefits and additional benefit is Bhava ananda – joy of special relationship with the Lord<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vimal Aga<\/strong><\/p>\n

The quote I liked from the text was the fact that no qualifications or extensive learning is needed to become an ardent devotee. \u201cBhakthi is supreme love. Even infants, the mentally challenged, animals and plants understand the language of love\u201d says Pujya Gurudev Swami Tejomayananda.<\/p>\n

Ramesh Krishnamurthy<\/strong><\/p>\n

The two verses that stand out for me:<\/p>\n

\u0905\u0926\u094d\u0935\u0948\u0924\u093e\u0928\u0941\u092d\u0935\u093e\u0926\u0947\u0935 \u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u092d\u0942\u0924\u0939\u093f\u0924\u0947 \u0930\u0924\u0903\u0964
\n\u0938\u0947\u0935\u0924\u0947\u093d\u0924\u094d\u0930 \u0928\u0930\u094b \u092f\u0926\u094d\u0935\u0926\u094d\u0926\u0947\u0939\u093e\u0919\u094d\u0917\u093e\u0928\u093f \u0939 \u092a\u094d\u0930\u0947\u092e\u0924\u0903\u0965 \u0968\u096f\u0965<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u0938\u0924\u094d\u0938\u0919\u094d\u0917\u0938\u094d\u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0926\u093e \u0915\u093e\u0930\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0935\u093f\u0918\u094d\u0928\u0939\u0930\u094b \u0939\u093f \u0938\u0903\u0964
\n\u0905\u0939\u0902\u0924\u093e \u092e\u092e\u0924\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0918\u094d\u0928\u093e\u0938\u094d\u0924\u0925\u0948\u0935 \u091a \u0938\u0941\u0916\u0938\u094d\u092a\u0943\u0939\u093e\u0965 \u0968\u096b\u0965<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Soundharya Nagasubramanian<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pujya Gurudev says in Bhakthi Sudha \u201c The Upanishads also declare – \u201cThose 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\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Raghav Khandenahally<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pujya guruji brings up the unique and special benefit of Bhakti in the following verses.<\/p>\n

\u092d\u0935\u093e\u0928\u0928\u094d\u0926\u094b\u093d\u0928\u0941\u092d\u0942\u092f\u0947\u0924 \u092d\u0915\u094d\u0924\u0948\u0930\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0938 \u0930\u0938\u093e\u0924\u094d\u092e\u0915: \u0964
\n\u092f\u094b\u0917\u093f\u092d\u093f\u0930\u094d\u0928\u094b\u092a\u0932\u092d\u094d\u092f\u0947\u0924 \u0938\u094d\u0916\u094d\u092f\u0926\u093e\u0938\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0926\u093f\u0930\u0942\u092a\u0915\u200b: \u0965<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u092f\u0925\u093e \u0926\u0947\u0935\u0938\u094d\u0924\u0925\u093e \u092c\u094b\u0927\u094b \u091c\u094d\u091e\u093e\u0928\u092f\u094b\u0917\u0938\u094d\u092f \u0932\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0923\u092e\u094d \u0964
\n\u092f\u0925\u093e \u092d\u093e\u0935\u0938\u094d\u0924\u0925\u093e \u0926\u0947\u0935\u094b \u092d\u0915\u094d\u0924\u093f\u092f\u094b\u0917\u0938\u094d\u092f \u0932\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0923\u092e\u094d \u0965<\/p>\n

Jnanam is vastu tantraha – knowledge is objective.
\nIn the path of knowledge, God is understood as He is. God as He is and His true nature is expounded by Upanishads.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vedanta-topics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1346"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1352,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1346\/revisions\/1352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}