LalithA SahasranAma [119] bhaktigamyA

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bhaktigamyA : To be approached by devotion.

 

The Sruti [Kath-Up., IV. 1] says, "the self-existent constraints

the senses which turn to external objects; therefore man sees the

external objects, not the internal self; but the wise, with eye

averted, and desirous of immortality, behold the inner self." The

Smrti also says, "The Yogins see the eternal Lord." The

Yoga-sutra [i. 23] says, "By meditation also upon Isvara." The

Commentary, Raja-mArtAnda, explains meditation as devotion. The

Brahma-Sutra [iII. 2. 24] says, "And in the state of perfect

consiliation also [the Yogins apprehend the highest brahman]

according to Sruti and Smrti."

 

The meaning is: although Brahman is unmanifest, it becomes

perceptible through devotion; thus Srutis and Smrtis say. Bhagavad-

gitA also [Xi, 54], "By undeviated devotion, I may thus be

perceived, Arjuna, and known and seen and entered in essence, O

Paramtapa." Here "entered" means salvation, the

attainment of Brahman itself, that is to be attained by devotion

alone.

 

To be approached [gamya] also means "to be obtained; because in

the Sruti [Cha. Up., II. 23-2]: "one who resides in the Brahman

obtains immortality," the word "reside" means devotion. Also the

Bhakti-and Brahma-mimAmsAs [sandilya, I.4 and VedAnta, I. 1. 7]

say, "of him who is engaged in that [devotion] immortality is

declared." In the NityAtantra, also after describing the

characteristics of devotion, explained as that which confers all

objects of human desire; it is said, "One who places reliance on the

guru whose characteristics have been already described, and in his

teachings, and in the practice taught by him, which destroys the

doubts of his mind; thus the devotion, which gives every thing, is

the cause of crossing [the ocean of] samsAra and making one firm.

Devoid of which [devotion] men surely suffer here and hereafter."

 

Or Bhakti, characteristics [laksana], gamya, to be known; because

the words satya, JnAna [Tai Up., II. 1] etc, each with its own

meaning cannot describe the unqualified Brahman [directly]. Hence

the TrisAti [ name 73] says, "She is to be known by

characteristics." In a certain Sutra of Jaimini, the word bhakti

is explained as characteristics. In our Sivastave we said, "O Lord,

I have no power to praise even an ato of your greatness, yet resting

on imperfect devotion to you I composed [this hymn]. `The couch

never cries' [ a proverb] so in the world. O Paramasiva [ men

succeed] by devotion, and not by their own power."

 

 

BhAskararAya's commentary

Translated into English by R. Ananthakrishna Sastry