In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the conversation between Uddhava and Bhagawan Krishna, wherein Bhagawan Krishna is giving important pieces of advices to Uddhava. We’ve been witnessing this advice over the past few episodes now, and we’re at a stage wherein Bhagawan Krishna is talking about Bhakti in its three different forms – “Satvika Bhakti”, ‘Raajasa Bhakti” and “Taamasa Bhakti”. We’ve witnessed the definition of each of these three forms of Bhakti in our previous episodes, and in yesterday’s episode, we had witnessed how does one attain any “Lokha” after his / her stint at the “Manushya Lokha”. We’ve witnessed that although our present physical body (Shareera) gets destroyed at the end of this birth, our “Atman” assumes a different physical body with respect to the “Lokha” it travels to. For instance, if we traverse to the “Chandra Lokha”, “Surya Lokha”, “Svarga Lokha”, etc. we assume a physical form that is apt for enjoying all the experiences in these “Lokhas”. Similarly, if we’ve to traverse into the “Naraka Lokha”, again we’ve to assume a physical form that would be fit and fine to receive all the beatings, thrashings, fryings, etc. that we would face there! Finally, if we’ve to reach the “Vaikunta”, again, we’ve to assume the physical form that is apt for that as well. Once we traverse through the “Archiraadhi Maarga” and cross over from the “Virajaa river”, we would be assuming the form that is apt for us to live in Vaikunta forever.
Moving on further thus, Bhagawan Krishna is going to explain what are the corresponding actions that would constitute each form of Bhakti that we’ve seen till now. We’ve so far defined what the three forms of Bhakti are, and now we’re going to see the constituent actions that would result out of these three Bhakti forms. For instance, if we’re going to take pots and pots of milk, curd, etc. and pour it over Bhagawan’s idol, just in the form of “Abisheka”, it is all going to go waste isn’t it? This, according to Bhagawan Krishna, pertains to “Raajasa Bhakti”. However, if we’re pouring little bit of milk or curd on Bhagawan and if we’re offering the rest to Him as “Neivedhya” and further, distributing it to the needy, this is what accounts to “Satvika Bhakti”. Did Bhagawan even say that all the 100 pots of milk should be poured upon His head and only then He would bless us? He has never said such things. All what is important here is that, the “Abisheka” should be done for world peace and harmony. It should not become a mere ritual by pouring pots and pots of milk, curd, etc. on Bhagawan, just for the sake of doing it. Instead, if a limited amount of these items are used for the “Abhisheka” and the rest, given as food for the needy to consume, this is real Bhakti. Ultimately, in the name of Bhagawan, we’re contributing to the betterment of the world.
As we read through this, readers shouldn’t mistake and misunderstand this point here. In fact, this is always a controversial point to talk about. I’m not saying here that we should stop doing “Abisheka”. We should perform it as a sacred spiritual ritual for Bhagawan, and there is no doubt about it. However, what I’m trying to emphasize here is that, if we’re performing the “Abhisheka” for Bhagawan, we should also be courteous enough to offer some of the items to the needy as well, by offering the items to Bhagawan before distribution. This becomes a “Prasada” obviously, and by doing so, we also obtain lot of good benefits. Ultimately we’re contributing to Bhagawan’s mission of sustaining the world with adequate food and water. Hence, this point shouldn’t be mistaken with the statements being made by some aethists floating around.
Moving on further thus, Bhagawan Krishna goes on to explain few other points with regards to the “Satva Guna”, “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna”. He explains that if we’re able to enrich ourselves with the “Satva Guna”, we would always be able to stay alert at all times. We would be able to become “smart enough” to understand what goes on around us. We would have complete awareness. However, if we’re flying high on the “Rajo Guna”, we’d start feeling tired and stressed out. Ultimately we would get exhausted very soon, and our awareness to what is happening around us is going to decrease. In similar lines, if we’re scoring high on “Tamo Guna”, we’re going to keep sleeping forever! We’re only going to be in bed everytime with sheer laziness to do anything.
So for today, let us understand these points, as well as the important point on “Abhisheka” for Bhagawan. We shall wait till the next episode to take this discussion forward! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 