Narada Muni is famous for his wisdom, devotion and compassion. He was the one who inspired Maharshi Valmiki to write the Ramayana and Bhagavan Veda Vyasa to write the Bhagavatam. Whenever a devotee needs guidance, whether it is Dhruva, Prahlada or Valmiki, Narada Muni materializes to help. In this Kali Yuga, we find people singing the name of the Lord and chanting various mantras. All this is nothing but the Narada effect!

Bhakti

Narada Bhakti Sutra is a text on devotion.

The very first verse starts: Now, therefore, (the doctrine of) bhakti – devotion – we shall explain.

The word ‘bhakti’ comes from the Sanskrit root bhaj. It has many meanings like adoring, worshipping, serving and sharing. Narada Bhakti Sutra throws light on various aspects of bhakti. There are three main topics here. However, firstly, the meaning of devotion has to be understood properly.

Narada’s mission was to spread devotion amongst people. His father, Brahmaji, advised him to spread the message in such a way that people developed devotion. You may worship any form as Paramatma. In devotional literature, we call Him ‘Bhagavan’ – the Lord of all fortunes (bhaga) in infinite measure. He is the abode of all virtues.

The second sütra states: That devotion is of the nature of supreme love for God.

It is to be noted that bhakti is of the nature of prema (love), but every prema is not bhakti. Nowadays we use the word ‘love’ frequently in various contexts: ‘I love sweets,’ or ‘I love music.’ Quite often it refers to things and beings. Parama prema (supreme love) is different from all this.

Parama Prema

The word ‘parama’ is defined as: where all degrees of comparison end. Once the superlative is used, there is no further comparison. We have different degrees of love for the things and beings of the material world. But in devotion, all degrees of comparison end. It is final.

The practical implication of parama is that it is unconditional. Our love is generally conditional. If the conditions are fulfilled, then we love that person or thing. In business documents also, we generally find a tag at the end: conditions apply. Even our love for God is usually conditional and cannot be called supreme love – highest, unexcelled and unconditional.

There are various other elements in parama prema. One of the essential elements is shraddha – faith. Faith has various stages. Firstly, it is belief in the existence of Paramatma. Secondly, it is trust in God. In worldly life, we may often love someone, but not trust that person. And we may trust a person whom we may not love. In parama prema, unconditional faith and total trust go hand in hand.

The ideal devotee is endowed with supreme faith which never gets shattered. One mahatma has put it beautifully, “We generally call a person who does not believe in God an atheist, but truly speaking, those who believe in the existence of God and still do not trust Him and call him unjust are the real atheists.” The trust has to be unwavering and unconditional. Then it can be called parama prema, supreme love for God.

Another important factor of bhakti is reverence. Reverence will be there only when there is mahattva buddhi, when you understand the greatness of someone. Whom or what do we love? We love that which is the source of our joy. All objects of knowledge do not become objects of love. Only that which gives us happiness draws our love. And our love fluctuates depending on the joy that the object or person gives. No object gives us permanent joy. What gives us joy at one time may become a nuisance later.

Parama prema or supreme love is possible only for that which is pure happiness – ananda svarupa itself. In the Chandogya Upanishad, there is a famous mantra – yo vai bhuma tat sukhaa, na alpe sukhamasti – that which is limited and finite cannot become the source of true happiness; that which is unborn and uncreated, the Infinite alone can give true happiness. So parama prema, supreme love, is possible only for Paramatma, who is ananda svarupa.

This analysis is from the highest standpoint. A beginner in the path of devotion (bhakti marga) may have only one feeling – ‘I love God’. He may have no idea about God. It is not necessary that an object of knowledge be the object of love, but the object of love does become the object of knowledge.

Love is measured in terms of identification. And the price we pay for love is sacrifice. The great freedom fighters gave up all their comforts to free the country, because they loved it more than their own life.

Parama prema means total identification. The poet Rumi writes about a devotee who desired to be kissed by God. He was told that the price for that would be his life. The devotee said, “That is a cheap down payment!”

Parama prema is the most purified form of love. It has shraddha, vishwsa, tadatmya (identification) and readiness to sacrifice anything and everything.

The author belongs to the Chinmaya Mission