Chapter – 1 – Sri Narada Bhakthisuthram
Sri Narada Bhakthisuthra was composed by
Maharishi Narada, it consists eighty-four Sutras describes 1) what is
Bhakthi?/devotion 2) what are the characteristics of true devotion? 3) What are
the Upaya/tools to achieve sincere devotion? 4) What are the responsibilities
of a true devotee? 5) What are the Kriyas unwarranted to a true devotee? 6) What are the benefits of achievement of
Bhakti? 7) What is the splendor of the true devotees?. Maharishi Narada describes in simple verses
of eighty-four Sutharas about all those.
The Janmasaphalya/fruitfulness of life
can be achieved only with pure devotion, after several births of learning
scriptures, Veda, Vedanta. The practice
of ‘Bhakti’ who is Paramapremaswaroopa
is the prime method to achieve Janmasaphalya. Bhakti is the essence of Paramapremaswaroopa
and Amrithaswaroopa, which removes the sufferings and afflictions of worldly
existence, and guides the Jeeva to safely cross the unfathomable ocean of
worldly existence. Bhakti is the
Premaswaroopa which provides Sidhdhi, Amritha, and contentment, the Jeeva who
has achieved pure devotion is Siddha, remains free from afflictions,
miseries, sorrows, and grief, and achieves contentment. The Paramapremaswaroopa Bhakti removes
impurities like desires, lust, ego, pride, jealousy in the Jeeva, it removes
grief, hatred, or interest in worldly matters, or sensual pleasures, and pride. The Ananya Bhakti provides the state of
Jeevanmuktha/transcendental state, with the supreme knowledge of the
all-pervasive Bhramam, and constantly contemplates upon the supreme Bhramam
resides as a soul in living beings, the Jeeva gets freed from worldly matters and
bondage, and constantly immerses in the ‘Athmarama’ and remains blissful. The pure devotion is the state of absence of
interest in worldly matters and bondage, the Parama Premaroopa Bhakti removes impurities
like desires and sensual pleasures. The
pure devotion/Bhakti keeps the Jeeva remote from the Laukika/worldly matters
and Vaidhika/Vedic rites and keeps away from all those Loka, Veda, and Vyapara
Kriyas, which creates obstacles to Bhakti and keeps the Jeeva immerses in the
supreme Bhramam. The Jeeva remains
Udhaseena/free of interest in worldly matters and remains firmly devoted to
that Supreme Lord, remains free from all those Kriyas, which creates a hindrance
to the practice of Bhakti. The practice of Ananyabhakthi/constant
contemplation upon that all-pervasive supreme Bhramam, the realization of ‘Oneness-in-all’,
leaving the interest in material matters, performing all those Laukika and Vaidhika
Karma which enhances the Bhakti, and any of the Kriya which creates obstacles
to Bhakti should be abandoned. The practice
of Bhakti is the Shasthrarakshanam/protection of Vedic rites, and sincerely
following the prescribed rites in the Veda. The Bhakti multiplies with the
strict following of the Shastra Dharma, the performance of Laukika Karma/consumption
of meal is necessary to perform as long as the body exists, for the performance
of Shasthravihitha Karma/rites prescribed in the Shastra, hence the body
should be protected to perform all those rites. The illustrious preceptors
describe the characteristics of the ‘Bhakti’/devotion, in many more brilliant verses.
Adhatho Bhakthim Vyakhyasyama: ||
Sa Thvasmin Paramapremaroopa ||
Amrithaswaroopa Cha ||
Ya Labdhva Puman Sidhdho Bhavathi Amritho
Bhavathi Thriptho Bhavathi ||
Yath Prapya Na Kinchith Vanchathi Na
Shochathi Na Dhveshti Na Ramathe
Nothsahi Bhavathi ||
Yajjathva
Maththo Bhavathi Sthabdho Bhavathi
Athmaramo Bhavathi ||
Sa Na
Kamayamana Nirodha Roopathvath ||
Nirodhasthu Loka Veda Vyaparanyasa: ||
Thasmin Ananyatha Thadhvirodhishudhaseenatha Cha ||
Anyashrayanam Thyagonanyatha ||
Lokavedheshu Thadhanukoolacharanam
Thadhvirodhishudhaseenatha||
Bhavathu Nishchaya Dhardyadhoordhvam
Shasthra Rakshanam ||
Anyadha
Pathithyashankaya ||
Lokoapi Thavadheva Bhojanadhi Vyaparasthva Shareeradharanavadhi
||
Thath Lakshanadhi Vachyanthe Nana Mathabhedhath ||
