Bhakti

Last week, it was Ms Subbalakshmi's 108th birth anniversary - probably because of the significance of number 108 - it was more significantly visible on social media than her previous birth anniversaries. Listening to her rendition of Adi Shankaracharya's Bhaja Govindam brought back so many memories of childhood in my village. There was a bit of blurb at the start of the casette I remember from then - a distinct male voice that spoke about Bhatki. How appropriate, I thought- a coincidence when I was attempting to summarize what I understand of Bhakti as part of my Yoga assignment. Bhakti is a concept deeply rooted in devotion, and its etymology from the Sanskrit root "Bhaj" means devotion, indicating a heartfelt connection to something greater urself. When we truly understand the greatness of something—whether it's the knowledge, love or life itself—it stirs a deep feeling within us - that feeling is Bhakti.  It is in the rendition of a song, as much in caring for a child, or feeling that indescribable love toward another. It is in being completly present in the flow of an activity as you go about your day at work, home. It is letting urself be immersed - single minded all consuming experience. It is not required to be anything profound - it is just in the way your mind forgets everything else when u meet the person you love. It is in loosing track of time stirring a pot of meal or forgetting where you are when u start singing a song. State of flow - is I think the closest term to Bhakti. When I think about it that way - what is the point of a life if there is no sense of deep connection and focus? This is what I find fascinating about scriptures- in the context of Bhakti- we all experience it, we have found new-age terms in productivity and self-help books across generations for it but the idea is the same as it was defined that many 1000 years ago - It is an intrinsically motivated state of intense concentration toward a clear goal that makes you both happy and skilled at the same time. 

 It teaches us the importance of acceptance, urging us to see both the positive and negative experiences in life as part of bigger picture which we cant comprehend yet. Even when we face hardships like losing a job or dealing with health issues, Bhakti suggests seeing these as opportunities, or "prasada". It’s not about becoming passive or complacent, but rather about acknowledging that some things are beyond our control. This acceptance should forster inner growth, aligning our thoughts and actions.Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, discusses the balance between different forms of practice, sacrifice, and surrender at length - the tools that will aid you in accepting and staying focused.

The famous 2 paths ( the choice between red and blue pill for the Neo of Matrix world - yes I love analogies!). At a certain point in the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna, after Arjuna's ego is broken in Vishwaroopa darshana, he becomes ready and open to experience his life in full. At this point, he asks Krishna - which is a better path to take to become a Bhakta so I can state of flow and joy forever. Krishna lays out 2 choices - one of direct connection and worship to Saguna Bhagavan and another path of believing in Nirguna - i.e formless i.e finding the divine in everything around you. The elaboration of the paths and challenges on the second path form a signifcant part of Chapter 12. For a beginner, he then simplifies and offers a definitive guide to being Bhakta (when I say Bhakta now, I am referring to the spiritual term for Flow) Develop these 40 characteristics as below and that is it. 

I have spent an inane amount of time thinking about these characteristics. So relevant, so appropriate for today.

The key elements of Bhakti  are śravaṇa (listening, kīrtana (praying)smaraṇa (remembering lessons),pāda-sevana (translates to service to the feet, concept though is to have a sense of service while doing anything - this is probably where servant-leader term came from in Agile terminology?),archana (worshipping),namaskar or vandana (bowing down, conceptually give up ego),dāsya (service conceptually, know that there is more to know from the knowers),sākhyatva (friendship),ātma-nivedana (translates to self-surrender, concept though is to let oneself go completely).

Ultimately, Bhakti is the path of simplicity and focus, not of distraction. It encompasses everything, much like how one’s longing for clarity and purpose can be compared to the desire for a single, essential thing, rather than getting lost in many pursuits. It needs to be beyond ur ego and helps you feel peaceful -make you feel like everything is around me as it should be and I understand it.