Narada Bhakti Sutra

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The Narada Bhakti Sutra (IAST: Nārada Bhakti Sūtra) is a well known sutra venerated within the traditions of Hinduism, purportedly spoken by the famous sage, Narada Muni. The text details the process of devotion (Bhakti), or Bhakti yoga and is thus of particular importance to many of the Bhakti movements within Hinduism. It has received particular attention among the Vaishnava traditions. Gavin Flood dates the Narada Bhakti Sutra as "possibly twelfth century."[1]

Contents

[edit] Structure of the text

Sanskrit scriptures often appear in variant editions which may show differences in organization and verse numbering. For example in the translation by Swami Prabhavananda there are eighty-four verses arranged in nine chapters[2], whereas in the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust translation by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and his disciple Satsvarupa dasa Goswami the eighty-four verses are organised into five chapters[3].

As organized by Swami Prabhavananda, the text covers the following subjects:

  • Chapter 1 (verses 1-6) provides a definition of bhakti.
  • Chapter 2 (verses 7-14) stresses the importance of renunciation and self-surrender.
  • Chapter 3 (verses 15-24) provides exemplars of divine love.
  • Chapter 4 (verses 25-33) endorses bhakti as the highest goal of human life.
  • Chapter 5 (verses 34-42) provides suggestions on how to practice divine love.
  • Chapter 6 (verses 43-50) explains the importance of seeking holy company.
  • Chapter 7 (verses 51-57) discusses the difference between preparatory and supreme devotion.
  • Chapter 8 (verses 58-73) covers the forms of divine love.
  • Chapter 9 (verses 74-84) recommends the practice of ethical virtues and worship of God.

In the translation by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada the chapters break at similar points, but with the first four chapters arranged into double the amount of verses:

  • Chapter 1 (verses 1-14) The Value of Devotion
  • Chapter 2 (verses 15-33) Defining Bhakti
  • Chapter 3 (verses 34-50) The Means of Achievement
  • Chapter 4 (verses 51-73) Pure and Mixed Devotion
  • Chapter 5 (verses 74-84) Attaining Perfection

[edit] Key Concepts

Within the text Narada explains the perfectional stage of pure devotion; the process to achieve this state; gives quotations from other Vedic personalities on the subject matter; things to avoid when developing bhakti; and finally explains the nature of selfless love and the different forms of attachment to the Supreme person.

[edit] Pure devotion

Firstly bhakti itself is defined as being "the most elevated, pure love for God"[4] which is eternal by nature and through following which one obtains perfect peace and immortality (release from samsara). The symptoms of such devotion are that one no longer has any selifsh desires, nor is affected by the dualities of loss or gain for himself being fully content with (and experiencing ecstacy through) the process of bhakti itself. Narada describes that lust is absent in one who executes bhakti purely because they naturally have no personal desires to fulfill.

The aspirant bhakta is encouraged to renounce "social customs" and "religious rituals" and to focus purely on service to God with exclusive dedication, being indifferent to whatever may stand in the way of such service[5]. Activities of social custom and religious rituals that are favorable to devotional service are still promoted but devotional activities are given as "the only means for reaching the perfection of life."[6]

The text then goes on to quote Vyasadeva, Gargamuni and Sandilya in terms of their opinions on what is bhakti, giving the opinion that all three are correct but in conclusion "bhakti consists of offering one's every act to the Supreme Lord and feeling extreme distress in forgetting Him"[7]. The Gopis (cowherd women) of Vrindavan are given as an example of devotees who display this form of pure bhakti, but warning is also made against 'false devotion' made in imitation of this perfectional stage which Narada follows by stating "Furthermore, the Lord dislikes the proud but is pleased with the humble"[8].

[edit] Bhakti begets bhakti

An important point is made in verse 30 in regards to the relationship between bhakti and knowledge: "But the son of Brahma [Narada] says that bhakti is its own fruit" [9]. In his commentary, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada further describes in regards to this verse that "bhakti is not dependent on anything else for nourishment"[10] being complete in itself, without dependence on the paths of either knowledge or renunciation.

[edit] Obtaining bhakti

The methods initially described for obtaining bhakti are as follows:

  • Giving up wordly pleasures and the close company of others who indulge such activities
  • Worshipping the Supreme Lord ceaselesly
  • Hearing and speaking about the Lord's special qualities and activities

However, following these three, the text gives the "mercy of great souls" or "a small drop of the Lord's mercy"[11] as the most important factors in developing true devotion. Saying that such association is so rare and precious that it can only be obtained through the mercy of God Himself, thus the instruction is given in verse 42: "Strive, strive only for the association of pure devotees"[12].

[edit] Items to avoid

Alongside the acceptance of positive practices in the cultivation bhakti, the text also describes items which should be avoided by the aspiring bhakta. Intimate dealings with others who are against the path of bhakti or who indulge in sinful habits is described as potentially dangerous for one attempting to purify their consciousness: "Material association is the cause of lust, anger, confusion, forgetfulness, loss of intelligence, and total calamity" [13]. It further explains that only one who abandons such material association, serves the sages and becomes selfless in their dealings, renouncing desires for profit or gain can cross beyond the ocean of illusion. Even the Vedas are given as an object to renounce for one for wants to obtain pure and uninterrupted love for God[14]. In later chapters however an instruction is also given that respect should be shown for all scriptures which promote bhakti (devotion) and an aspirant bhakta should endeavour to follow the instructions of such texts.[15]

[edit] The nature of pure love

The text states that the true nature of pure love of God is beyond description, but this does not restrict God from revealing it to those who are qualified. Once this pure love is obtained it says that a person "looks only at the Lord, hears only about Him, speaks only of Him, and thinks only of Him" [16]. Secondary forms of this love are given as stepping stones which bring one to the perfectional stage, with each stage nearer to perfection being better than those preceding it[17]. It is also stated that bhakti is a much easier practice to obtain perfection through, than by any other process. The reason being that "it does not depend on any other authority for its validity, being itself the standard of authority. Furthermore, bhakti is the embodiment of peace and supreme ecstasy."[18].

[edit] Ultimate attachment

In conclusion the sutra gives an instruction to "patiently endure" [19] untill the perfectional stage of bhakti becomes manifest, whilst cultivating qualities such as nonviolence, honesty, cleanliness, compassion and faith. Again it is said that the Lord "reveals Himself to His devotees"[20] and that bhakti is the most precious of all possessions.

Next a list of forms of attachment is given, through which a devotee should attain a loving feeling towards God, including :

  • attachment to the Lord's qualities
  • attachment to His beauty,
  • attachment to worshiping Him,
  • attachment to remembering Him,
  • attachment to serving Him,
  • attachment to dealing with Him as a friend,
  • attachment to surrendering one's self completely to Him,
  • attachment to being absorbed in thoughts of Him,

Finally a number of devotional figures from Puranic scriptures are quoted as being agreement with the truth of the process given, including: the Four Kumaras, Vyasa, Suka, Sandilya, Garga, Vishnu, Kaundilya, Sesha, Uddhava, Aruni, Bali, Hanuman and Vibhishana.

The last verse of the text gives the message that: "Anyone who trusts these instructions spoken by Narada and is convinced by them will be blessed with devotion and attain the most dear Lord. Yes, he will attain the most dear Lord." [21]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Flood, Gavin. An Introduction to Hinduism. p. 133. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1996. ISBN 0-521-43878-0.
  2. ^ Swami Prabhavananda. Narada's Way of Divine Love (Narada Bhakti Sutras). (Sri Ramakrishna Math: Madras). Provides Sanskrit text translated into English with a commentary by Swami Prabhavananda. ISBN 81-7120-506-2.
  3. ^ Narada Bhakti Sutra Online (complete)
  4. ^ NBS Verse 2
  5. ^ NBS Verse 9
  6. ^ NBS Verse 12
  7. ^ NBS Verse 19
  8. ^ NBS Verse 27
  9. ^ NBS Verse 30
  10. ^ NBS Verse 30 purport
  11. ^ NBS Verse 38
  12. ^ NBS verse 42
  13. ^ NBS verse 44
  14. ^ NBS verse 49
  15. ^ NBS Verse 76
  16. ^ NBS verse 55
  17. ^ NBS verse 57
  18. ^ NBS verse 60
  19. ^ NBS Verse 77
  20. ^ NBS Verse 80
  21. ^ NBS verse 84

[edit] Further reading

  • Swami Bhuteshananda. Narada Bhakti Sutras. (Advaita Ashrama: Calcutta, 1999). ISBN 81-7505-199-X. Provides Sanskrit text translated into English with a commentary by Swami Bhuteshananda, the 12th President of the Ramakrishna Math. This commentary views the work within the context of Advaita Vedanta.
  • Swami Prabhavananda. Narada's Way of Divine Love (Narada Bhakti Sutras). (Sri Ramakrishna Math: Madras). ISBN 81-7120-506-2. Provides Sanskrit text translated into English with a commentary by Swami Prabhavananda. This commentary views the work within the context of Advaita Vedanta as understood within the Ramakrishna Math.
  • Swami Prabhupada. Narada-bhakti-sutra: The Secrets of Transcendental Love. (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust: 1998). ISBN 0892132736. Provides Sanskrit text translated into English with a commentary by Swami Prabhupada. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust translation includes a commentary from a Gaudiya Vaishnava perspective alongside the Sanskrit text, viewing Narada's teachings within the context of other devotional scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana, emphasizing the role of Krishna.
  • Prem Prakash. The Yoga of Spiritual Devotion: A Modern Translation of the Narada Bhakti Sutras. (Inner Traditions International: Rochester, Vermont, 1998). ISBN 0-89281-664-3. Provides Sanskrit text translated into English with a commentary by a Westerner.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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