Category: Bhakti: Pre-requisites

Bhajana has two compartments. On is the inner and the other is the outer. The inner aspect involves our mind, chitta and life forces being aligned properly for the Bhajana to happen. The second is the outer aspect which involves our place of Bhajana, surroundings and people around us. Continue reading “Obstacles in Bhajana”

Krishna Bhajana as popularized by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswatipada and Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada world-wide is well-known. Yet the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra Continue reading “Inner Science of Sadhana”

A lot has been spoken about mantra japa and sadhana. However in all sadhana there is one important aspect that demands attention. In any sadhana the most important feature that participates is the mind. When the mind gets suffused in the sadhana process , the most subtle aspect of the mind that is the citta gets affected. The citta is the gateway to the spiritual world. Unless the grossest aspect of the mind gets submerged in the limbs of sadhana for a prolonged period , there is no question of the citta getting involved with the sadhana process at all. Continue reading “Mindful Sadhana”

“Prapanna” is a common terminology in the sect of the Sri Sampradaya of Ramanuja to describe Self-Surrender. The Dasya Bhava of a devotee in the Ramanuja sect becomes complete when Prapatti is accepted by the living entity in front of the Acarya or a representative of God belonging to the Sampradaya. Such a person is believed to be free of anxieties and should act according to the edicts of Prapanna. Continue reading “Self-Surrender”

It is very important to understand the terminologies with respect to Sadhana if one is to pursue sadhana in all seriousness. The Sadhguru is very important in the life of an aspirant when an aspirant is committed to attaining perfection. However the aspirant can assume two attitudes once he is under the tutelage of a Sadhguru. Either he can become a Shishya or he can assume the role of a Sadhaka while pursuing the higher goal.

Continue reading “Shishya and Sadhaka”

Usually devotees make a distinction between Spiritual and Material Subjects.Some of the devotees in the name of being spiritual are averse to that which is material in their vision. This sort of distinction is caused because of the exposure to ideologies that encourage such distinction. Although this sort of approach is encouraged by circles that promote Bhakti, it is still not healthy with respect to the overall spiritual growth of the individual.

Individuals in Bhakti are seen to even talk disgracefully to people who have scant exposure to spiritual life. The gap between the spiritual and material in the heart of an aspirant seems to be so deep that one is constantly making distinctions internally and dividing the cosmos in one’s heart which will result in the overall contamination of one’s consciousness. The understanding of the material based on one’s interpretation is totally destroying the aspect of Compassion and all-inclusive nature of a tender heart which is the goal of a truly spiritual life.

There is no doubt that devotees should avoid gross materialists nay people with gross mentalities of lust , greed, anger, illusion, pride and envy , to protect one’s sadhana and one’s tenderness. Such evasion is supported by Guru and Gauranga. However there are devotees who make gross distinctions between spiritual and material. Raganuga Bhakti as propounded by Sriman Mahaprabhu looks at the entire creation as Spiritual. In the absolute sense , there is nothing material because everything manifests with the will of the Lord who is the cause of causes. When one ingrains this Shastric view in one’s mind , with constant practice one will be able to see the glory of every single thing as the manifestation of the Supreme. If a devotee sees a woman who appears to be lusty , he shuns the view thinking it to be a disturbance to his sadhana, However such approach is simply avoiding the deep rooted aspect of lust temporarily. However if the devotee practices mentally of connecting the woman as the creation of Krishna and the manifestation of Beauty , the same vision will become spiritual. If one hears a so-called mundane song , but is able to relate it to the Lord and appreciate it , that so-called mundane consciousness will simply disappear. Thus when the vision is applied in connection with Krishna , our internal focus will be tenderly transformed. Having said this , gross manifestation of that which is full of the mode of passion and ignorance can be safely avoided. With sadhana one will be equipped to transform one’s vision if one applies sufficient intent in one’s approach.
Every living entity is the representation of the Supreme Lord. It is said in the Shastras that one should be able to see the presence of the Lord in every living entity. This approach is extremely vital for one’s spiritual growth. One should be able to serve other living entities with respect to attaching them to the spiritual practices. Such an approach is appreciated by Krishna. To consider someone material when the person is not exposed to spiritual practices is to insult the Lord Himself. One has to cultivate the aspect of “Jive Doya” , Universal compassion. For such an approach one’s sadhana has to be perfect. When one is able to gel the material to the spiritual without any distinction , one will have transcended the toughest impediment of Bhakti. There are many people who feel that mundane music is harmful to the senses which are being purified for the service of the Lord. However such individuals have not achieved sensitivity towards the spiritual. Anything and Everything that reminds one of the divine connection , that which invokes compassion and feeling towards the Lord cannot be materialistic. Only deep sadhana can get one to that stage. There are other aspects of self-confidence, Anger control, positive thinking , effectiviness, efficiency and other things that are directed towards self-development and success in professional life. We need to realize that these aspects are purely in the mode of passion and are detrimental to the overall development of our spiritual consciousness. If one is forced into such activities because one’s profession demands it , one has to simply meditate on Guru and Gauranga and execute these activities for the pleasure of Guru. Then such an activity becomes a Yagna. One should ensure that one is keeping oneself surrendered during the entire process and continuously chanting internally when involved with such detrimental activities. When one is not aware of such activities and simply enjoys it , one will become bloated with Pride and Ego which will infect the chitta.

One has to ensure that through sadhana and right intent one is able to thin the gap between the material and spiritual and establish a universal approach towards the world so that one is able to enrich the Raganuga path as expounded by Sriman Mahaprabhu. As the enemies of the soul such as lust, greed, anger, illusion, pride and envy is either reduced or applied in service , the heart becomes tender and will become capable of viewing the entire creation to be infused with spiritual power. This is the ideal path of sadhana.

People who have a background of Bhakti usually do not understand the concept of mercy too well. People use the word mercy in their life too liberally. When someone thinks of taking up Bhakti, they say if there is mercy they would take up Bhakti. Some say that if there is mercy then they shall be able to accept a Guru although a Sadhguru is available. Mercy has been taken too lightly in such a way that the real value of mercy has been totally ignored.

Continue reading “Philosophy of Mercy”

Normally people are driven by instincts, habits and conditioning. Instincts represent the millions of lifetimes man has taken in the form of the eight point six million species. The urge to react, the impulse; everything represents the instinctive nature of man. Continue reading “Awakening”

It is clear that Sriman Mahaprabhu awarded us the highest gift of the Manjari Bhava Sadhana by which one attains a spiritual body and a spiritual mood to serve the divine couple in the divine realm. Continue reading “Receiving the Spiritual Body”

It is important to differentiate, first of all, between the terms devotee and a sadhaka although most times these two terms can be used interchangeably. A devotee is one who is passionate in serving his “ishta Devata” or one’s loved deity. Continue reading “Sadhaka Tattva”