NARADA BAKTI SUTRAM - TAMIL UPANYASAM - SEP-25-2020 : Episode 32

 Om Namasivaya Nama:

Narada Bakthi Suthram - Chapter 05 – Bakthi Mahima:

This chapter deals with the importance of devotion and devotees!

Sutramd 80: 

Sa Keerthyamaanaha seegramevaavirbhavathi Anubhaavayathi Cha Bakthaan!

Sa = That God, Keerthyamaanaha = When praised and worshipped, seegramevaavirbhavathi = Immediately appeared in front of, Anubhaavayathi  = felt his presence, Cha Bakthaan = near devotees.

Meaning: When devotees continuously praised or worshipped, God immediately appears in front of them and bless them with realization. Not only that he makes devotees as his relative or Mithran (Friend) and involve them in his divine plays. God shows his presence among devotees as per their desired form. God is not far from his devotees, one must pray sincerely to feel his presence at any time anywhere. 

God is not even expecting the devotee to be hundred per cent perfect, the mode of devotion can vary from Kaama, Krodha, Bhaya, Sneha, Sakhyam and Souhrudham. Continues prayer's result is nothing other than reaching God's abode. Many examples are seen in his life stories. God is also rewarding them Salokhya and Saroopya Mukthi for them. Why can't we try it and see in person? This biggest freedom is given to devotees in our Sanadhana Dharma, no other religion or cult will allow to experiment or cross-question their scriptural verdicts. 

Sutramd 81: 

Thrisathyasya Bakthireva Gareeyasee Bakthireva Gareeyasee!

Thrisathyasya = For all the three divisions of time, Bakthireva = Devotion alone, Gareeyasee = Preferable or Supreme.

Meaning: At all times i.e. past-present and future devotion alone is the most preferred choice to realize God when compare with other paths such as Karma, Ghyaana and Yoga. One should be lucky to be a genuine devotee with whom God converse as a friend or relative. All realized personalities jointly agreeing to that, the simple and easiest route for realization God is devotion path. Devotional path not only great during Sadhana (seeking or practising period) but also a great path even after Saadhya/Sidha (realized/accomplished) time. God is a relative among devotees and vice versa, wow, what a status God is giving to his devotees! One should grab this opportunity without wasting time. 

Therefore Sage Narada repeating again and again that devotion alone is the ultimate path to realize God and achieve Godhood!

Sutramd 82: 

GunamAhAthmya-Sakthi, Roopa-Sakthi, PoojA-Sakthi, SmaraNA-Sakthi, DhAsyA-Sakthi, Sakhya-Sakthi, VAthsaylA-Sakthi, KAnthA-Sakthi, AthmanivedhanA-Sakthi, ThanmayA-Sakthi, ParamavirahA-Sakthi, RoopA Eakadha Api EakadhasadhA Bhavathi !

GunamAhAthmya-Sakthi = Interest or attachment to the glorification of blessed qualities of God, Roopa-Sakthi = Attachment to God's beautiful forms, PoojA-Sakthi = Attachment to his worship, SmaraNA-Sakthi = Attachment to his remembrance, DhAsyA-Sakthi = Attachment to his service, Sakhya-Sakthi = Attachment to his friendship, VAthsaylA-Sakthi = Attachment to his filial love to him, KAnthA-Sakthi = Attachment to his consort like love for him, AthmanivedhanA-Sakthi = Attachment to Self-Surrender, ThanmayA-Sakthi = Attachment to being filled/merged with him, ParamavirahA-Sakthi = Attachment to an intense feeling of the excruciating pain of separation from Him, RoopA Eakadha = Though it is one, Api EakadhasadhA Bhavathi =  Manifested in eleven types.

Meaning: Though the Bakti itself only one but it manifests in different ways and forms, preferably eleven types according to Sage Narada. Just simple innocent unconditional love continuously flows towards God is called Bakthi. There is no pre-requisite qualifications are needed to practice Bakthi. It is applicable to all human race. How many types of devotees are there that many types of devotional paths exist. God welcomes all practices. Due to the inbound nature of individual devotees, their approaches to God also differ. Great and realized devotees club those practices under 3, 5, 9 and 11 types. According to Sage Kapila devotion is classified into three division such as SAthweekam, Raajasam and ThAmasam. Realized devotee Chaithanya classified into 5 types such as Santham, DhAsyam, Sakhyam, VAthsalyam and Madhuram. According to realised devotee Prahlaadha, it is classified into 9 types such as sravanam, keerthnam, Smaranam, PAdhasevanam, Archanam, Vandhanam, DhAsyam, Sakhyam and Aathmanivedhanam. According to Sage Narada it is 11 types such as sravanam, keerthnam, Smaranam, PAdhasevanam, Archanam, Vandhanam, DhAsyam, Sakhyam and Aathmanivedhanam, Thanmayam and Paramaviraham. 

Examples of those 11 types Bakthis and its Heros are:

GunamAhAthmya-Sakthi = Narada and Vyasa, Roopa-Sakthi = Devotees of Vrindavan, PoojA-Sakthi = Ambarishan and Prudhu, SmaraNA-Sakthi = Prahladan, DhAsyA-Sakthi = Hanuman, Sakhya-Sakthi = Udhava and Arjuna, VAthsaylA-Sakthi = Yasodha and Kausalya, KAnthA-Sakthi = Rukmini, Sathyabhama and other consorts, AthmanivedhanA-Sakthi = Mahabali and Vibhishana, ThanmayA-Sakthi = Sanaka-Sananda-Sanathana-Sanathkumar, ParamavirahA-Sakthi = Gopikaas.

Sivoham... To be continued...

You may watch full discourse from the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNhplD51R7o

NARADA BAKTI SUTRAM - TAMIL UPANYASAM - SEP-18-2020 : Episode 31

Om Namasivaya Nama:

Narada Bakthi Suthram - Chapter 05 – Bakthi Mahima:

This chapter deals with the importance of devotion and devotees!

Sutramd 77: 

Sukha-Dhuke-Chhaalaabha-Dhithyakthe Kaale Pratheekshamaanne Kshanaardhamapi Vyartham Na Neyam!

Sukha-Dhuke-Chhaalaabha-Dhithyakthe =Sukham (Pleasure), Dhukkam (Pain), Icha (Desire), Laabham (Profit) and pleasure considerations, Kaale Pratheekshamaanne = While waiting for the Jeevan to exit the body, Kshanaardhamapi Vyartham Na Neyam = Do not waste even a minute.

Meaning: Sage Narada says, do not waste time even a second without any use to self or to others, although you might have already achieved God-realization, yet keep in touch with all types of Bakthi Sastras and its supporting devotional activities. There is no exemption to a layman vs realized person, all should practice Bakthi sastras for safety purpose while waiting to die. Even though the Ghnaani (realized person) is not duty bound (mundane) yet he/she must devote their valuable time to uplift normal people that is what Sage Veda Vyasa and myself did. Due to which the current generations were blessed to receive Srimad Bhagavatham and Bakthi Soothram and many scriptures from innumerable realized people. 

Every day, think of glories of God and live with God, eat with God, roam around with God, sleep with God. Ultimately, there is no detachment from God even a second. 

Sutramd 78: 

Ahimsa-Sathya-Soucha-Dhaya-Sthikhyaadi Chaarithryaani Paripaalaneeyaani!

Ahimsa-Sathya-Soucha-Dhaya-Sthikhyaadi = Ahimsa, Sathyam, Soucham, Dhaya and Aasthikhyam Chaarithryaani Paripaalaneeyaani = These Sadhaachaarams and noble activities must be practised.

Meaning: When even casual people are supposed to follow these Sadhaachaarams where is the question of realized people not following? A Saadhaka (Seeker) should follow Sadhaachaarams for own welfare and progress, at the same time a Sadhyan (Realized) must follow for the same of himself/herself and the general public. Devotees are not allowed to do nonsense with an expectation that at the time of death God will eventually give them Moksham (liberation) by quoting all demons as an example. As long as a devotee, even the realized ones, having the body consciousness must be carefully practised all Sadhaachaaranushtaanm.  

Ahimsa = Not to hurt any living being by word, mind or action, Sathyam = Seeing ever pervading Brahman in everything equally, Saucham =  Action without any expectation, Dhaya = Having compassion towards all suffering people, Aasthikhyam = Faith in Guru vachanam and sasthra grantha (scriptures) vachanam (instructions) as prescribed and authorized by the Vedas. All these virtuous must be followed by all types of human beings irrespective of their caste and creed.

Sutramd 79: 

Sarvadha Sarva Bhaavena Nischinthaihi Bhagavaaneva Bhajaneeyaha!

Sarvadha = Always, Sarva Bhaavena = All types of care and aspects, Nischinthaihi = Detaching from all other thoughts, Bhagavaaneva = God alone, Bhajaneeyaha = Pray.

Meaning: A true devotee must give up all other unwanted activities and thoughts and concentrate fully only on God and his/her glories. The greatest sage Sri Veda Vyaasa says that after realizing and writing various scriptures I have realized that anything is nothing other than merging with Supreme Brahman Lord Mahavishnu. 

Sivoham. To be continued...

You may watch full discourse from the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHiN09aof88

  

NARADA BAKTI SUTRAM - TAMIL UPANYASAM - SEP-11-2020 : Episode 30

 Om Namasivaya Nama:

Narada Bakthi Suthram - Chapter 05 – Bakthi Mahima:

This chapter deals with the importance of devotion and devotees!

Sutram 75: 

Baahulya-avakaasathwaadh Aniyathathwaachha!

Baahulya-avakaasathwaadh = The right to differ while in an argument, Theshu = The conclusion may not have authenticity because it depends upon the skills of the arguer. 

Meaning: Usually the arguments will have no end until the arguer tries to win over the debate or establish his/her understanding about a subject, that conclusion or conviction may not have substances, because it depends upon the arguer's arguing skills and knowledge. Sometime it may be true and good but most of the time it is not since the arguer is not a genuine spiritual master. Therefore, Sage Narada strongly recommends that spiritual seekers should avoid any type of arguments whether it is good or bad. The seeker may not have profound knowledge on the subject but he/she may be dragged into misunderstanding which will spoil their success or hinder spiritual growth. 

Sutram 76: 

Bakthi saSthraani Mananeeyaani, Thadh-bhodhaka-Karmaani Karaneeyaani!

Bakthi saSthraani  = Doctrines of devotion (Bakthi), Mananeeyaani = Must byheart or accept, Thadh-bhodhaka Karmaani = The works that promote and nourish the devotion should be, Karneeyaani = Must act or uphold. 

Meaning: The seeker must study and understand the values and concepts of Bakthi saStraas (spiritual texts) also one must act on the advice given in the text and masters' must be practised which can enhance the present understanding about devotional practices. Moreover, one must stay away from any acts that may ruin or destroy spiritual convictions.

The seeker or any type of devotee must spend their valuable time to understand more about Bakthi saStram and show laziness to know about the opposite route. The spiritual devotee must practice Dhamanam, Sathyam, samam, Dhamam. He/She should try to learn more about their personal God's Avatar (birth), Karma (acts) and Glories (gunaas). They must listen, propagate and meditate upon God. The devotee must do everything with a total surrendering attitude towards God. 

There are so many types of thieves in and around us to hinder our progress in the spiritual path. Therefore, be careful of all these thieves (hereditary and acquired VaaSanaas).  

Sivoham... To be continued.

You may watch full discourse from the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18HLUs4Qgdc

       

NARADA BAKTI SUTRAM - TAMIL UPANYASAM - SEP-04-2020 : Episode 29

Om Namasivaya Nama:

Narada Bakthi Suthram - Chapter 05 – Bakthi Mahima:

This chapter deals with the importance of devotion and devotees!

Sutram 72: 

Naasthi Theshu Jaathi-Vidhya-Roopa-Kula-Dhana-Kriyaadhi Bhedhaha!

Naasthi = Not applicable or Nil, Theshu = Among Eakantha Bakthaas or to become a true devotee, Jaathi-Vidhya-Roopa-Kula-Dhana-Kriyaadhi = Jaathi (caste), Vidhya (Education), Roopa (Beauty/Colour), Kula (Clan/Race), Dhana (Wealth), Kriya (Occupation/Actions) etc...

Meaning: To become a true devotee (Eakantha Bakthi), no qualifications are required according to Sage Narada as well as God himself. However, the devotee must possess only sheer innocent and Aathma samarpana devotion towards God. Likewise, discipline (Aachaarams) or age does also not matter. Satsangam (the company of wise people) will highly support and help in realizing this truth. Hundreds of examples quoted in Srimadh Bhagavatham and other Puranic divine events. In other words, such true devotees can take birth in any families, parents should make such requests to God before entering into Garbhadhaana Kriya or if already born then create such an environment for the children to become a close devotee of God.

Sutram 73: 

Yathasthadheeyaaha!

Yatha = Why because Thadheeyaaha = They belong to God

Meaning: Why there are no conditions attached to true devotees such as caste and other status is because they belong to God himself. No pre-requisite qualifications are needed for God to chose or grab one person as his devotees. God sees only their true devotion to shower his grace on them. You may wonder why so many Sastras, Rules and Regulations and Puranas etc.. keep giving conditions to become a devotee is only to uplift or raise humans from animal and demonic nature. So, now the path is cent per cent clear to worship God. Fortunately, following all prescribed formalities by the Vedas can only add value to or supplement the devotional activities. That is the benefits and concept of spiritual activities.

One must know that this universe and its belongings all belong to God only. Therefore, if there is no choice or survival the living beings will eventually fall into God's protection, this is the law of nature. Whether we pray to God or not, God will not leave us from his fold because we are his wealth! God will keep giving us more and more chances to realize the truth. That does not mean that we have to take advantage of the soft nature of God. 

Sutram 74: 

Vadho Naava-lambyaaha!

Vaadha =  Arguments or debates, Na-Avalambyaaha = Do not depend.

Meaning: As a spiritual seeker, one should not enter into arguments with anyone especially those who do not support your principles or faith. At any situation, the seeker must avoid disputation with others. However, samvadham (clarifications with scholars) may not pull us down. At the same time once the devotee becomes God's own (by realization) there will be no need for arguments anyway! Arguments by nature are not truthful, it only race the ego and try to establish what he/she is saying is correct. The heart of every human being has a way to realize God that is none other than simple bhakti (devotion), to practice Bakthi Yogam all we need is a Guru and Bakthi Sastraas such as this. This is the first and final word for a true devotee. Once he/she convinced about it, there is no need to spend even a minute on others doctrines. Nothing is a bigger and easiest method than Bakthi Yogam. Just stay away from arguments on account of religious and other spiritual paths. 

Sivoham. To be continued.

You may watch full discourse from the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61lp2fYA5As