Question 1
To an Onlooker, A Bhakti-Sadhaka appears to be a tremendous striver, whereas in reality, he or she is only a straw in the cascading Ganga of God’s Grace.
Question 2
Two kinds of Devotees / Seekers ~ Introspect and share your thoughts:
Saguna Saakaara (Manifest) - Bhakti Yoga
Saguna Saakaara (Manifest) - Bhakti Yoga
and
Nirguna Niraakaara (Unmanifest) - Jnana Yoga
Nirguna Niraakaara (Unmanifest) - Jnana Yoga
Please respond in the comments section below
OR send a response by email to livegita@chinmayavrindavan.org
Q1: True. A bhakti sadhaka has an attitude as described and in addition does not even expect anything in return for his/her bhakti. No rewards, no wealth etc. All he wants is for the Lord to bestow his grace and in the process wherever happens is acceptable to him. Even if he faces suffering he looks upon that as the Lord making him face his karmic burden so that he exhausts them quickly and goes to the feet of the Lord never to be reborn again
ReplyDeleteQ2: Saguna bhakti is easier for most people since we can visualize a form more easily than something abstract like an ‘all pervading consciousness’. That is why stothras describe the from of the deity in great detail continuously building a picture in our mind if we pay attention to the words. This saguna bhakti and its practice will eventually lead us to Jnanam without which our ignorance cannot be removed
ReplyDeleteQ1: Yes, a Bhakti sadhaka is focused on loving god by the 4 ways - He/She is doing it because of their faith and devotion with no expectation. The 4 ways is:
ReplyDeletea. Working for God (Devoting all their work to God)
b. Keep God as their highest goal and having faith that God is their highest support
c. Ensure they have nothing against anybody - No hatred
d. Ensure they have no attachment on anything
Q2: Saguna Saakara (Bhakti Yoga) is easier to practice in Kali Yuga. As the mind gets more disciplined in the practice of Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga may be slowly cultivated. In Hinduism we have different Gods and Goddesses present so people can pick their Ishta devataas, and devote themselves to Him/Her. Similarly Lord Krishna is sharing that there can be different path ways to reach Him - It can be by the practice of Bhakti Yoga or by Janna Yoga.