Bhakti will not be fruitful without the constant thought (‘smarana’) of Bhagavăn.

Nama Article 22nd December 2013

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

While wandering about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's would catch sight of the sand on the earth. Immediately he would swoon! The reason for this is that it is out of the sand that an instrument akin to 'dholki' is made in Puri Jaganătha Kshetra for use in bhajan. As soon his vision falls on the sand chain of thoughts would arise in him, "Is it not out of sand that the 'dholki' for bhajan is made in Puri? Is it not Bhagavan năma chanted then? The Sadhus sing Bhagavan Năma." His mind would then recollect all the Sadhus who sing Bhagavan Năma. Deep joy springs up with the very thought of the Sadhus; this becomes unbearable for him and he immediately swoons!

 

How is the heart of a Bhakta? It is like a waterfall. Innumerable thoughts about Bhagavăn keep rising in his heart in waves, one after another. How is the heart of a Jnăni? It is like a stagnant pond. It is very calm. It rests in the 'swaroopa'. So, it is 'bhava' which is predominant in a bhakta's heart. 'Bhava' is thoughts connected with Bhagavăn, 'rasokthis', Bhagavăn's compassion, the divine Lila of Bhagavăn. Since the Bhakta is ever thinking of Bhagavăn such thoughts rise up from his heart. 'Bhava Bhakti' is very rare. One does not get to hear of a Vedanti filled with emotion. Whereas, if we take up the life history of Bhaktas like Meera, Ăndăl, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa we find them dancing, crying out and pining for Bhagavăn. Therefore, the state ('rithi') of a Bhakta is different from that of a Vedanti. A Bhakta can understand the state of a Vedanti but a Vedanti cannot comprehend the state of a Bhakta. But how does a Vedanti look? He appears like a crazy person. The Bhakta is filled with tears in his eyes. When a person listens to divine stories ('katha sravana') or perform Năma Sankeertan for Bhagavăn or involves himself in Bhagavat worsip or entertain thought of Bhagavăn he feels moved. Bhakti will not be fruitful without the constant thought ('smarana') of Bhagavăn.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare