Most Amazing Explanation - What is Devotion to God | Swami Mukundananda
Summary
TLDRThe video script delves into the concept of 'bhakti', a term from the Vedas, meaning to relish the divine bliss of God. Bhakti is portrayed as a deepening relationship between the devotee and God, where the devotee's love and God's bliss are in a perpetual exchange, leading to spiritual liberation from material bondage. Various definitions from scriptures and spiritual leaders are explored, emphasizing the importance of devotion, attachment, and service to God. The ultimate form of bhakti is recognizing that the soul's self-interest lies in serving God, which naturally fulfills its desires and needs.
Takeaways
- 🌟 Bhakti is defined as the process of relishing the bliss of God, where one's experience of bliss is directly proportional to the level of devotion.
- 🔍 The Vedas describe bhakti as a means to break the material bonds and dispel ignorance, leading to liberation from material suffering.
- 🌱 Narada defines bhakti as extreme attachment to God, akin to the attachments we have in our daily lives but directed towards the divine.
- 🌊 The flow of thoughts towards God, like the constant flow of the Ganges River, is a metaphor for the continuous and unwavering nature of true bhakti.
- 📌 Jagan Guru Shankaracharya compares bhakti to a needle stuck in a potato, suggesting that all thoughts should be firmly fixed on God.
- 🧘♂️ Tales, a disciple of Shankaracharya, emphasizes that devotional practices lead to a melting heart, which then naturally flows towards God.
- 📜 Veda Vyasa explains that the root of the word 'bhakti' means to serve, highlighting that serving God is the essence of bhakti.
- 🤲 Bhagava Bhakti suggests that as parts of God, our self-interest lies in serving God, just as the hand serves the body and is nourished in return.
- 🙏 The ultimate goal of bhakti is to realize that serving God aligns with our self-interest and leads to the eternal bliss we seek.
- 🕊 The script conveys that understanding the relationship between self-interest and service to God is a blessed realization that transforms one's spiritual journey.
- 🌈 The various definitions of bhakti presented by different spiritual leaders illustrate the depth and multifaceted nature of this spiritual concept.
Q & A
What is the primary meaning of 'bhakti' according to the Vedas?
-The primary meaning of 'bhakti' according to the Vedas is to relish the bliss of God. It is the process of bringing God to one's mind to experience His bliss.
How does the experience of bliss in bhakti relate to the level of devotion?
-The experience of bliss in bhakti is directly proportional to the level of devotion. The more one is devoted, the more bliss one experiences, and this can increase indefinitely, unlike the waxing and waning of the moon.
What is the role of bhakti in dispelling ignorance and material bondage?
-Bhakti is described as the force that breaks the bonds of material energy and dispels ignorance, liberating us from the suffering associated with material existence.
How does Narada define bhakti in his Bhakti Darshan?
-Narada defines bhakti as extreme attachment to God, similar to the attachments one might have towards loved ones or interests, but directed towards God.
What analogy does Jagan Guru Shankaracharya use to describe the nature of bhakti?
-Jagan Guru Shankaracharya uses the analogy of a needle stuck in a potato to describe bhakti, suggesting that all thoughts should be firmly attached and directed towards God.
What is the significance of the Ganges River in explaining the concept of bhakti?
-The Ganges River is used as an analogy to illustrate the constant and unending flow of thoughts towards God, which is the essence of bhakti.
What does Veda Vyasa say about the origin and meaning of the word 'bhakti'?
-Veda Vyasa explains that the word 'bhakti' originates from the root 'bhaj', which means to serve. Therefore, bhakti is about serving God.
What is the concept of 'Bhagava Bhakti' as per the speaker's favorite definition?
-Bhagava Bhakti is the understanding that as parts of God, our self-interest lies in serving God. By serving God, we receive the bliss we seek, and this understanding is considered the highest form of bhakti.
How does the speaker describe the relationship between the soul and God in the context of bhakti?
-The speaker describes the relationship between the soul and God as one of service, where the soul, like a hand serving the body, finds its nourishment and purpose in serving God.
What does the speaker suggest is the ultimate realization in the practice of bhakti?
-The ultimate realization in the practice of bhakti is understanding where one's self-interest lies, which is in serving God, leading to a state of blessedness and eternal bliss.
Outlines
🙏 The Essence of Bhakti: Bliss and Devotion
The first paragraph delves into the concept of Bhakti, exploring its various definitions and significance in spiritual practice. Bhakti is described as the relish of God's bliss, an inner experience that deepens with one's devotion. The script uses the metaphor of 'anna's' to illustrate how the intensity of bliss received is proportional to the level of devotion. It also touches on the idea of a never-ending competition between the devotee's love and God's provision of bliss. Furthermore, Bhakti is portrayed as a liberating force that breaks the material bonds and dispels ignorance, as per the Vedas. Different interpretations of Bhakti by spiritual leaders such as Narada and Veda Vyasa are also presented, emphasizing the importance of attachment and service to God.
🌊 The Flow of Bhakti: Constant Devotion
In the second paragraph, the concept of Bhakti is further elaborated through analogies and the teachings of various spiritual leaders. The flow of the Ganges River is used to symbolize the continuous stream of thoughts towards God, which is the essence of Bhakti according to Marshy Couple, an avatar of God. Jagan Guru Shankaracharya's analogy of a needle stuck in a potato illustrates the unwavering focus of thoughts on God. The narrative also includes the story of a disciple who, through intense spiritual practice, experiences a melting of the heart, leading to a pure flow of devotion towards God. Veda Vyasa's definition of Bhakti as service to God is highlighted, emphasizing the act of serving as the core of Bhakti.
🤲 Bhakti as Self-Interest: Serving God for Inner Bliss
The third paragraph concludes the script with a profound understanding of Bhakti as self-interest. It uses the example of the hand's relationship with the body to explain how the soul's purpose is to serve God, and in doing so, it receives the nourishment it needs in the form of spiritual bliss. The speaker, Kripaluji Maharaj, explains that recognizing this relationship and understanding that self-interest lies in serving God is the epitome of Bhakti. This realization is considered a blessing and the true beginning of one's spiritual journey. The paragraph underscores the idea that Bhakti is not just an act of devotion but a realization of the soul's inherent duty and the path to eternal bliss.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bhakti
💡Bliss
💡Devotion
💡Vedas
💡Material Bondage
💡Narada Bhakti Sutra
💡Jagannatha
💡Ganga
💡Shankaracharya
💡Sadhana
💡Vedanta
💡Bhagavati
Highlights
Bhakti is defined as relishing the bliss of God, seeking the ultimate bliss found in the divine.
The experience of bliss is directly proportional to the level of one's devotion to God.
Devotion and God's bliss are in a constant competition, with both increasing eternally without a limit.
Bhakti is described as a means to break material bonds and dispel ignorance, leading to liberation.
Narada defines bhakti as extreme attachment to God, beyond the attachments we experience in daily life.
The flow of the Ganges is used as a metaphor for the constant flow of thoughts towards God in bhakti.
Jagan Guru Shankaracharya compares thoughts stuck in God to needles stuck in a potato, representing unwavering focus.
Bhakti is associated with the heart melting and flowing towards God as a result of spiritual practices.
Veda Vyasa explains that bhakti originates from the root 'bhaj', meaning to serve God.
Bhakti is also viewed as understanding that self-interest lies in serving God, aligning with one's true nature.
The hand's function as a part of the body is used to illustrate the soul's role in serving God for its own nourishment.
Bhakti is the realization that serving God is the path to achieving the sought-after bliss and self-interest.
Kripalu Ji Maharaj emphasizes that understanding where true self-interest lies is the essence of being blessed in bhakti.
The concept of self-employment for the hand is contrasted with the soul's need to serve God for its existence.
Bhakti is presented as a journey of increasing love and bliss, without an end point, unlike the moon's waxing and waning.
Different acharyas provide unique perspectives on bhakti, emphasizing its multifaceted nature in spiritual understanding.
The ultimate goal of bhakti is the eternal increase of love for God and the resulting bliss, a never-ending process.
Transcripts
what is this bhakti
we all talk about bhakti
what does it mean
to give you all little idea
i'd like to discuss a few definitions
of this word
the vedas
means
to relish the bliss of god
[Music]
we all seek bliss
we all want bliss
and god is the ocean of bliss
so to relish his bliss
is bhakti
when
we bring him to our mind
which means when we take our mind to him
we will experience his bliss
to what extent
to the extent of our bhakthi
like for example if you are hearing a
description of god
a recitation of his pastimes is leela's
if you have got four hours of devotion
he will give you from inside four anna's
of bliss
if you increase your devotion to it and
us
he will increase
your experience of bliss to hate on us
you increase your devotion to 16 anna's
he will increase your experience of
bliss to 16 errors
so
our experience of bliss is to the limit
of devotion
and
between these two a competition ensues
the devotee constantly keeps on
increasing love
and god constantly keeps on increasing
bliss
neither the devotee loses out that
enough now no more
the moon reaches full
it waxes until the food moon and then it
veins
but in love there is no full moon
it just constantly increases
so the devotee keeps increasing his or
her love
and god keeps on increasing his bliss
he doesn't say all right i finished my
treasure chest no more bliss
none of them lose out this competition
goes on for the rest of eternity
so the vedas have said
there's another definition of bhakti
panjanam bhakti
there is ignorance in our hearts
there is the bonds of the material
energy
and bhakti is that
which breaks these bonds and dispels the
ignorance
that releases us from the suffering of
the material energy
so
bhakti
liberates us from material bondage
that is what it is
there are many other definitions of
bhakti-naraji
he says in his bhakthi darshan
what is bhakti
now remember many
of you are aware naradji is the writer
of the narada bhakti version
so he defines bhakti as
extreme
attachment to god
you all experience attachment
to son daughter husband wife
rascal
television golf
the attachment to god but not that
qualifies
extreme attachment to god
is bhakti
is let me give it a try
marshy couple is an avatar of god
and his long dissertation to mother
devahuti
forms a part of the third character of
the shrimad bhagavatam
so he says
just observe the holy ganges
it flows incessantly from
through the himalayas and the
indo-gangetic plain all the way to the
bay of bengal
so the flow of that river
is constant
similarly if all our thoughts
could begin flowing towards god
if all our thoughts could become godly
that would be bhakti
jagan guru shankaracharya says let me
try
so he says take a needle
and stick it into a potato
just like the needle is stuck in the
potato it doesn't get dislodged
you stick multiple needles
similarly if all our thoughts
could get stuck in god
if all our thoughts
could be connected towards god
that would be considered bhakthi
see every acharya has described bhakti
differently
shankaracharya's disciple
tales are very astonishing
[Music]
there are the big temples
he sat down out there
and he sat in samadhi for three years
and one rajput king built this huge
temple all around
so
he says by engaging in devotional
practices
when the heart melts
then as a result of your sadhana your
effort your spiritual engagement
the impurities disappear the heart
becomes soft and it melts
and it flows in the direction of god
that will be considered
there are many many more definitions
come to the definition of
veda vyasas
says look i am the writer of the vedant
so hear from me what bhakti is
he says the word bhakti
has come from the root
the dhatu is bhaj
and
means
it means to serve
so bhakti means
to serve
god
that's what
and let's give you the one final
definition of bhakti which is my
favorite you have heard it from me many
times
this is bhagava bhakti
what is bhagavati
we are all bhags of god
we are all his parts
just like
the hand is a part of the body
so
what is the function of the hand
to serve what it is a part of
the hand will take the food and place it
in the mouth
it will take the water and throw it on
the body
so by serving the body
the hand is automatically taken care of
it receives from the body whatever
nourishment it needs whatever blood
whatever nutrients whatever oxygen it
needs
the hand doesn't need to think how do i
take care of myself how do i serve
myself
the hand only performs its dharma to the
body
and it's taken care of now supposing the
hand refuses to submit to this dharma
why should i serve the body so many
years have gone by
s
cut me off from the body
i'll take care of myself
i'm not interested in this service now i
will be self-employed
can the hand subsist by itself
independent of the body
impossible
it's
self-interest lay in the service of the
body
so similarly
if the soul can understand this
relationship with god
and understand that it's self-interest
is in the service of god
and by serving god it will get the bliss
that it is seeking
to have this understanding
in the intellect
is bhagava bhakti
so kripalu ji maharaj
one
who realizes where the self-interest
lies
that person becomes dhanya are blessed
everybody is running for self-interest
all around the world
and if they can understand this
connection they have begun their bhakti
this is
bhakti
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