2026-03-22 15:51:09 by ambuda-bot
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2. DEFINITION OF BHAKTI
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enjoyment of the next world. He does not want even
Mukti.
Supreme Love does not seek a return. It does
not expect a reward. The lover wants his Beloved
alone. The devotee is quite indifferent to the plea-
sures of this world. He has no interest in the affairs
of this world.
Mark how love develops. First arises faith. Then
follows attraction and after that adoration. Adoration
leads to supression of mundane desires. The result
is single-mindedness and satisfaction. Then grow
attachment and supreme love towards God.
In this type of highest Bhakti all attraction and
attachment which one has for objects of enjoyment
are transferred to the only dearest object, viz., God.
This leads the devotee to an eternal union with his
Beloved and culminates in oneness.
Bhakti is divided into two kinds, viz., Apara
Bhakti or Gauna Bhakti and Para Bhakti. Apara
Bhakti is the lower or initial stage of devotion of an
aspirant following the path of Bhakti, while Para
Bhakti is the highest stage of Bhakti.
The relationship of the devotee with the Lord in
various stages is beautifully described here. Sri
Hanuman says to Lord Rama, देहबुध्या तु दासोऽहं जीवबुध्या
त्वदंशक: । आत्मबुध्या त्वमेवाहमिति मे निश्चिता मति: ॥
"when I think of myself as an embodied being. I am
your servant; when I think of myself as an individual
soul, I am part of you; but when I realise 'I am
223
21
enjoyment of the next world. He does not want even
Mukti.
Supreme Love does not seek a return. It does
not expect a reward. The lover wants his Beloved
alone. The devotee is quite indifferent to the plea-
sures of this world. He has no interest in the affairs
of this world.
Mark how love develops. First arises faith. Then
follows attraction and after that adoration. Adoration
leads to supression of mundane desires. The result
is single-mindedness and satisfaction. Then grow
attachment and supreme love towards God.
In this type of highest Bhakti all attraction and
attachment which one has for objects of enjoyment
are transferred to the only dearest object, viz., God.
This leads the devotee to an eternal union with his
Beloved and culminates in oneness.
Bhakti is divided into two kinds, viz., Apara
Bhakti or Gauna Bhakti and Para Bhakti. Apara
Bhakti is the lower or initial stage of devotion of an
aspirant following the path of Bhakti, while Para
Bhakti is the highest stage of Bhakti.
The relationship of the devotee with the Lord in
various stages is beautifully described here. Sri
Hanuman says to Lord Rama, देहबुध्या तु दासोऽहं जीवबुध्या
त्वदंशक: । आत्मबुध्या त्वमेवाहमिति मे निश्चिता मति: ॥
"when I think of myself as an embodied being. I am
your servant; when I think of myself as an individual
soul, I am part of you; but when I realise 'I am