Narada Bhakti Sutras - Text, Transliteration, Translation & Commentary /85

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<ignore>5. DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS OF BHAKTI
 

77
 
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<p text="C">Narada has no quarrel with the definitions of

Bhakti given by Vyasa, Garga and Sandilya. It is

certainly proper and necessary to worship God, to

sing His praises and to love God as the soul of all.

Narada'&apos;s definition of Bhakti covers the definitions

of Bhakti given by Vyasa, Garga and Sandilya and

is complete in every way. It is a comprehensive

definition. It points out the very essence of Bhakti.
 

Tu This is introduced to indicate the difference

between the previous definition of Bhakti and what

Narada says.
 
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<p text="C">Pooja, narrations etc., are all inferior to that kind

of devotion which Narada describes in this Sutra.

In Pooja and narrations the devotee does not surren-
der his all.
 

der his all.</p>
<p text="C">In self-surrender there is the effacement of the

ego. Any selfless work performed without egoism,

with the attitude of self-surrender has a real place in

devotional or spiritual life. It is a real offering to the

Lord. God is pleased immensely.
 
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<p text="C">The devotee gets parama-vyakulata when he

forgets his beloved. Lord Gouranga, Mira and the

Gopis of Brindawan exhibited this sign. This is

Viraha-agni (pain from separation of the Lord). This

feeling can hardly be described in words. It has to

be felt. It breaks the heart of the devotee. This Sutra

does not in any way contradict Sutra 18. An advanced

Bhakta who always rests in God has no Viraha. He

is always in divine bliss.
 
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