How To Cultivate Unswerving Devotion?

H H Maa Purnananda

“ Maam Cha Yoavyabhichaarena Bhaktiyogena Sevatey; Sa Gunaansamateetyaitaan Brahmbhooyaaya Kalpatey.” – (Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta – 14/26)

Once having been caught into the cycle of transmigration, it is difficult to realize due to one’s own delusion that he is thus caught. So much so that even after one’s acceptance of being deluded, his own delusion prevents him from coming out of it! Is it not true that no one likes to come out from one’s comfort zone? Similarly, the deluded individual finds comfort within the sphere of delusion and therefore would not put in any effort to come out of it!

With deep understanding of human psychology, the great Seers (Rishi-s) have given striking solutions to seemingly never-ending problem of being caught in the self-created web of delusion. After careful observation and analysis, they designed a systematic method of dealing with the root cause of delusion, which is the disheartening impact the three Guna-s, Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas. The Creation is the result of this Trigunaatmika Maya that veils the Essential aspects of the Absolute Self, Satchidaanand Swaroop and thereafter through the veil, projects the world of plurality.

To deal with such an important subtle aspect of human life, surely one needs to cultivate self-control and practice certain discipline in life, failing which, it would be difficult to remove the plight of being deluded. In the given Shlok, Sree Bhagwaan mentions about cultivating Avyabhichaarini Bhakti (unswerving devotion) and thus to remain well-established in such devotion to the Supreme. The Lord assures that such a devotee would be able to gradually transcend the three Guna-s and thereafter would be able to proceed towards regaining his Essential Nature.

Once being caught in this misapprehension, the individuals in the pluralistic world fail to remain unaffected by the play of threefold Maya and keep falling prey to their own delusion life after life. To relieve oneself from the fright of such self-created trap, the individual would have to carefully deal with his own nature, which is the outcome of his inherent tendencies. To refrain from getting affected by his own nature, he has to practice to be a close witness of his nature. As per the guidance given in our scriptures, the practice includes self-introspection and analysis to ascertain the quality, quantity and the direction of his thought-flow. Once having ascertained these, thereafter certain practices specific to the three tendencies predominant in the individual’s nature, would have to be sincerely practiced by him.

A deep study of Shloka-s of Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta that deal with the three Guna-s would inspire the student to strive hard to overcome the terrifying impact of his own inherent lower nature. Initially he would have to struggle hard to harness his mind that carries the incessant flow of thoughts, bubbling with the impulse of fast-changing tendencies. Eventually, he would try to find out such means by which he could succeed in doing so. The seeker should remind himself of one of the most befitting idealistic examples that we find in our scriptures; that is of ‘Maryaada Purushottam’ Sree Ram, the personification of immense self-control and matchless disciple.

Here is where those who pursue the religious or Spiritual practices, fail to understand the need to amalgamate both for their own benefit. From the Spiritual studies, the seeker gets the guidance of why and how to proceed in his Saadhna; whereas, from the religious practices, he actually gets connected to the divinity within him due to his close proximity with his chosen Idol which represents certain ideals. When the devotee understands the importance of himself living the ideals represented by his beloved Lord, he then puts all his effort to implement the fundamental principles given in the scriptures that he would have learnt.

Here is where we find the amalgamation of the Spiritual studies and the religious practices. The proper and sincere study of scriptures enhances the understanding of the seeker and the religious practices helps him to implement what he has studied, in his day-to-day life. The scriptural studies make the devotee steady in holding on firmly to Siddhaant-s (the invaluable principles) and the religious practices leads him to implement the Saddhaant-s in Vyavhaar (the practical application).

The concept of various Incarnations of Gods and Goddesses is primarily for this great purpose. So, let us not restrict ourselves to “either studies or religious practices”; the seekers have to do both!

On the auspicious day of Sree Ram Navami join us for The Saadhna Day on 13th April’19, 8.00 am to 8.00 pm followed by Sree Ram Puja on 14th April’19, 5.30 pm at SISS to enhance the practice of both! Visit our website for details.