Bhakthi Yoga

Bhakthi Yoga

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            Hinduism postulates that God is formless as referred by Adwaitham, and the umpteen number of forms referred by Dwaitham ultimately rests on the former. It is hence imperative that any form of GOD has to be a representation of Justice, Honesty, Righteousness, Principles and Truth to be revered. However, the Veda describes multiple instance of quarrels, tiff and war between the various forms of GOD. Quite a perplexing phenomenon to the common man!

            Lord Shiva is the master of the universe and in political terms, the head of the first family. Parvathi is Shiva's consort. Ganesh and Kandan are their children. It is a custom of ancient days that the children would prostrate to their parents every day before commencing their chores. It was one such eventful day, when sage Narada visited mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva and presented him the fruit of wisdom. The man of the family gave the 'property' he earned to his consort, the mother of Ganesh and Kandan.

            Both the kids competed for the fruit and since the fruit personified wisdom, it could not be split. Hence only one could gain the possession of the fruit - either Ganesh or Kandan. Mother is a personification of love and compassion towards her children that transcends reason and logic; hence Parvathi unable to decide, requested Shiva to assist her in the tricky situation. The product being one, claimants more than one; and none could be rejected by the compassionate mother!

            Shiva, the head of the family; the one who has transcended love and attachment to materialism, the one with the ability to perceive and uphold truth and justice amidst the turbulence caused by love, affection and compassion; suggested that it shall be him who circumambulates the universe in the shortest span of time. Kandan believed in the might of his possession - Peacock and its ability to circumambulate the universe in a jiffy. Result - a major flop and set back.

            Ganesh, in all humility surrendered to his parents and circumambulated them to emerge the victor of the competition and gained the possession of the fruit of wisdom. Kandan, fuming at the loss; citing injustice and partiality, split from his family to remain secluded in Pazhani, down south of the Himalayas. However the learning that he received made him renounce all his possessions.

            If every form of GOD is a representation of the same formless entity, then such events of quarrel must be considered an enactment to educate us. The primary direct inference of the context is the truth that the fruit of wisdom can be gained only out of one's deserving stature than the physical and/or psychological proximity to the bestower. Humility is the singular quality that would secure one the ultimate fruit of wisdom; no other quality, however superior it may seem can.

            A keen observation indicates that the act of competing with another fellow person is the result of lack of wisdom. Ganesh agreed to the competition with Kandan prior to the attainment of the fruit of wisdom. However; Upon receipt of which, Ganesh was happy to provide it to Kandan. Similarly, our ideas on competing with another fellow person and benefitting out of situations is an indication of lack of wisdom. The only way to eternal peace and contentment is the attainment of wisdom.

            Analysing the success of Ganesh in securing the fruit of wisdom provides us another remarkable insight on the quality a person should imbibe. Ganesh and Kandan accepted that they lacked wisdom; hence the competition. In the competition to attain wisdom; Kandan tried to analyse the all pervading singular divinity in every form and name; hence roamed around the universe in search of the best without surrendering to any form. Ganesh in all humility blind-foldedly accepted the all pervading divinity in a singular form and surrendered unto it.

            A sadhaka might learn from the Veda, Dharmasaastras, Puraanas and Upanishads that GOD is one and is the singular entity that permeates everywhere and that it transcends space and time. However, until the time of practical experience termed wisdom; it is an inevitable prerequisite for a sadhaka to stabilise one's mind on a single form and name; and surrender one's ego unto it, without any element of logic, reasoning and doubt. Perception of the all pervading divinity in every element of nature and effectively uniting with it is the result of wisdom. The personification of which is eternal peace transcending space and time.

            The complete surrender of a sadhaka to a singular form and name of GOD without any element of logic, reasoning, doubt, or comparison is called Bhakthi. The intense devotion of the sadhaka across umpteen number of births; upon maturity condenses the all pervading singleton to a human form termed GURU. The union of the disciple in the GURU, due to complete surrender achieved upon maturity of devotion, is called Bhakthi Yoga. The resultant is wisdom; hence eternal peace.

Janmaanaekachathai: Sathaatharayuja Bhakthya Samaaraathitho

Bhakthaiyr Vaitheekalakshanaena Vithinaa Santhushta Eesa:swayam|

Saakshaath Shree Gururoopamaethya Krupaya Dhrukkochara: Sanprabhu:

Thathvam Saathu Vibhodhya Thaarayathi Thaan Samsaara Dhukkaarnavaath||

Sarva Vedanta Sidhaantha Saara Sangraham; 254