Narada Bhakti Sutras - Text, Transliteration, Translation & Commentary /26

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NAKADA BHAKTI SUTRAS
 
the proper closin</ignore>
<p text="C">the proper closing of the work undertaken. It also

implies completion of the preliminary conditions. An

aspirant cannot take to the deep study of philosophy

and spiritual practice without preparation, without

proper qualifications.
 
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<p text="C">The aspirant must be endowed with aspiration,
faith, devotion, tolerance, patience, perseverance,

faith, devotion, tolerance, patience, perseverance,
forgiveness, mercy, serenity, cheerfulness, courage,

non-violence, truthfulness, purity or Brahmacharya,

spirit of self-less service, dispassion, renunciation and

one-pointed mind. This is the preparation for the

love of God.
 
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<p text="C">The aspirant should have faith in the grace of

God. He must have intense desire to attain god-

realisation. He must have deep interest in the study

of scriptures. He must have faith in the scripture

and in the capacity of the Teacher. He must have the

capacity to understand. He must be free from dis-

abilities and must have all possible opportunities and

favourable circumstances. Then alone he is fit to

practise Bhakti. Then alone he will be profited.
 
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<p text="C">Ramanuja, the founder of the Visishtadwaita

school of philosophy mentions seven qualifications as

being indispensable for those who wish to follow the

path of devotion. They are:--- 1. Viveka (discrimina-

tion in food), 2. Vimukha (freedom from desires).

3. Abhyasa (practice), 4. Kriya or the habit of doing

good to others, 5. Kalyana, purity in thought, word
and deed, nonviolence, charity and other virtues,

and deed, nonviolence, charity and other virtues,
6. Anavasada (cheerfulness) and 7. Anuddharsa or

absence of excessive hilarity.
 
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