Narada Bhakthi Suthras

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Here is my translation of Narada Bhakthi Suthras:-

 

1.Atha tho Bakthim vyakyasyama

 

Now I will explain in detail what is meant by devotion to God

(Bhakthi) .

 

2.Saa tasmin Parama prema roopa

 

Devotion to God is personification of intense(highest) love

towards Him.

 

3.Amrutha swaroopa cha

 

It also is deathless or as sweet as nectar (or it also

confers deathlessness to one)

 

4.Yallabhathva puman siddho bhavathi, amrutho bhavathi, truptho

bhavathi

 

One who gets it becomes perfect, immortal and contended.

 

5.Yath prapya kinchid vanchadhi , na sochathi, na dweshati, na

ramathe na uthsahi bhavathi

 

 

One who gets it desires not, worries not, hates not , enjoys

not, and does not get excited.

..

6.Yat gnathwa matho bhavathi, sthabhdho bhavathi, athmaramo

bhavathi.

 

One who attains it becomes intoxicated (be in stupor), still and

drunk with self(soul)

 

7.Saa na kamaya mana , nirodha roopathwad

 

It is not desire generating as it is by nature a form of

renunciation.

..

8.Nirodasthu loka veda vyapara nyasa

 

Giving away the social and Vedic customs including religious

activities is termed as a form of this renunciation.

 

9.Tasmin ananyatha that, virodhi shoothaaseena tha cha.

 

To be one with Him and complete indifference in things which

are contrary to him is termed as a form of renunciation.

 

10.Anyasrayanaan tyage ananyatha.

 

To sacrifice dependence on any thing but Him is exclusiveness

(that which does not have any other thing but Him)

 

11.Loke vedeshu thatha anukoolasaranam that, virodhi shoothassenatha.

 

In ordinary life and in Vedic percepts, to do that which

is beneficial to Him is exclusiveness(that which does not have any

other thing but Him)

 

 

12.Bhavathu nischaya dartyathurthvam sasthra rakshanam.

 

After attaining this state rock stable firmness in Vedic injunctions

follow,

 

 

13.Anyadha padithya sankhaya

 

If you do not do this , there is a doubt of a possibility of

degradation.

 

14.Lokopi thava deva kinthu bhojanani vyaparasthva sareera daranavathi

 

Obey the ways of the world till you attain renunciation, do

activities like eating which should continue till the body exists.

 

15.Tal lakshanathi vachyanthe nana madha bedanath.

 

The differing definitions of Bhakthi (:devotion") as

viewed by many are listed.

 

16.Poojadhishwa anuraga ithi Parasara rya.

 

Intense desire to Worship Him with loving affection ,

is "devotion" according to Sage Parasara.

 

17.Kadhadhi shweethi Garga

 

Intense desire to hear his stories is "devotion"

according to Sage Garga.

 

18.Athma rathya virodhe nethi Sandilya

 

"Devotion" should be done without conflict to the happiness

of the soul, according to sage Sandilya.

 

19.Naradasthu thadarpithagi, lacharatha that, vismarane parama

vyakulathethi.

 

But according to sage Narada, "devotion" is doing all duties on

behalf of Him, and become extremely sad even if you happen to forget

Him for a second.

 

20.Asthy evam evam

 

This "devotion" is like each of the above views.

 

21.Yada vraja gopikanam.

 

This can be best illustrated by the "devotion" of the Gopis

of Gokula.

 

22.Thathrapi tha mahatmyam jnana vismruthya bhavaatha.

 

In this case at no stage His greatness is ever

forgotten.

 

23.Thad viheenam Jaranam iva

 

For any "devotion" forgetting His greatness is like an

illicit love affair.

 

24,Nasthyeva tasmin that sukha sukhi twam.

 

All actions done as a result of this "devotion"(love) is to offer

and enhance His pleasure

or

All actions of this "devotion" are meant for pleasing Him only.

 

 

25.Saa thu karma jnana yogebhyo apyadhigathara.

 

This "devotion" is far greater than the path of action

(karma), the path of knowledge (gyana), and the path of disciplined

contemplation (yoga).

.

 

26.Phala roopathwad.

 

Because this "devotion" is like the fruit attained by any of

these methods..

 

27.Iswarasyapyabhi mana dweshitwath dainya priyathwacha

 

Because God also does not like pride and likes

humility, "devotion" as a method is better than Karma yoga and Gnana

yoga

 

28.Tasya gnana meva Sadana mithyeke

 

Some believe that knowledge alone is the path of attainment.

 

29.Anyonyasryathwa mithyanye

 

Some others believe that Knowledge and devotion are

interdependent on each other

 

30.Swayam phala roopathethi Brahma kumara

 

The son of Brahma (sage Narada) believes that "devotion" is

its own result

 

31.Rajagruha Bhojanaadhishu tadaiva drushtatwad

 

It is just like glancing at a palace or being informed of

sumptuous food .

 

32. Naa thena Raja paridosha kshudha shanthirva

 

Glancing at the palace does not make the king happy nor

hearing of sumptuous food remove his hunger

 

..Similarly knowing about "devotion", does not help you at all. You

should have "devotion".

 

33. Tasmad saiva grahya mumukshubhi

 

So all those who want to get out of the chain of births and

rebirths should only practice "devotion"

 

34.Tasya sadhanani gayanthy acharya

 

The learned ones therefore sing about the results of "devotion"

 

35.Thathu Vishaya tyagath, Sanga thyagath chcha

 

This "devotion " reaches completion only when sacrifice is

made of pleasurable things and mundane social contacts.

 

36.Avyavruthabha janath

 

It reaches completion by forever ceaseless chanting

 

37.Lokebhi Bhagawath guna sravana keerthanad

 

It also reaches completion by hearing always or singing about

the qualities of God.

 

38.Mukhythasthu Mahad krapayaiva Bhagawat krupa leasad Vaa

 

But most importantly it reaches completion only by the grace of

Great learned people and by the divine grace.

 

39. Mahad sangasthu durlabhe , agamyo amogascha

 

The company or the grace of great learned people is difficult

to get and is not easily attained and never goes waste.

 

40.Labhyadhobhi that krupayaiva

 

The company of great learned people is got only through the

grace of God.

 

41.Tasmim thajjane bhedha bhavath

 

There is no difference whatsoever between God and his people

(devotees)

 

42.Thadeva sadyatham Thadeva sadyatham

 

So search for the company of great learned people, for that can

be accomplished by that method only.

 

43.Dussanga sarvathaiva thyajya

 

Also forever avoid the company of bad people.

 

44.Kama , Krodha, moha , smrithibramsa , buddhi nasa, sarva nasa

karanathwaad.

 

Because such a company(of bad people) leads to passion, anger,

dullness, memory loss loss of wisdom and thus leads to utter ruin.

 

45. Tharangayidha abhi me sangath samudrayanthi

 

These (passion, anger etc) though they initially appear in bad

company as small waves gather momentum and become like sea.

 

46.Kastharathi kastharathi Mayam? Ya, sangam sthyajathi yo

mahanubhavam sevathe , nirmalo bhavathi.

 

Who can cross? Who can cross the veil of illusion?

He who is devoid of any worldly attachment serves wise people

and does not have a feeling of "mine" can only cross the veil of

illusion.

 

47.Yo viviktha sthanam sevathe, Yo loka bandham unmolayathi,

nistraigunyo bhavathi, yoga kshemam tyajathi.

 

He who lives in a holy place in seclusion, he who cuts of the

fetters of worldly attachment, he who goes beyond all

characterizations and he who forsakes pleasure as well as yoga only

can only cross the veil of illusion.

 

[seclusion -- in seclusion from bad association. Renounces

requirements and comfort -- becomes utterly dependent on the Lord for

everything, not aspiring for them independently )

 

48.Ya karma phalam tyajathi, karmani sanyasyathi, thado nirdwando

bhavathi.

 

He who sacrifices the result of actions, He who detaches himself

from actions and he who sacrifices the two opposites like heat-cold,

pleasure-suffering, recognition-insult etc. can only cross the veil

of illusion..

 

49.Vedanabhi sannyasyathi, kevalam vichinna anuragam labhade

 

He who forsakes even Vedas and reaches the limitless love

of "devotion" can only cross the veil of illusion.

 

50.Sa tharathi, sa tharathi sa lokaam stharayathi

 

He crosses, He only crosses, and he helps other people also to

cross.. the veil of Maya.

 

51.Anirvachaneeyam prema swaroopam

 

This extreme love of "devotion" is indefinable

 

52. Mooka swadanavath

 

It is (extreme love) like a dumb one tasting , for he does

not tell what he feels.

 

53.Prakasathe kwapi pathre.

 

Extremely rarely some people are able to explain what they feel.

 

54.Guna rahitham, kamanaa rahitham, prathi kshana vardhamana,

avichinnam, sookshma tharam, anubhava roopam.

 

This love of "devotion" is without any properties, without

any desire, increases every second, micro of micros and it can be

described only by really experiencing it.

 

55. Thad prapya thadevaavalokayathi, thadeva srunothi, thadeva

bhashayathi, thadeva chinthayadhi.

 

One who possesses this love of "devotion", is able to only see

Him everywhere, is able to only hear of Him always, is able to only

talk about Him always and always thinks about iHim .

 

56.Gowni thridha guna bheda arthadhi bhedathwa.

 

The "devotion" is of three types depending on the type of

people viz.Sathwa (pure hearted), Rajasa(warrior in outlook) and

Tamasa(debased)

 

57.Utharasmathu , utharasmath poorva, poorvaasrayeya bhavathi.

 

Each of the above three categories are better than that coming

next , in other words, Sathvika Bhakthi is better than Rajasic which

is better than thamasic,

 

Bhagavad-gItA 7.16: the inquisitive and the man of wisdom, one who

is desirous of wealth and one who suffers.

 

58.Anyasmath saulabhyam bhakthou

 

This path of "devotion" is the easiest among the paths to attain

God.

 

59.Pramana antharsyam apekshatwath swayam pramanathwath.

 

This path of "devotion" is its own proof and does not need any

other proof.

 

60.Santhi roopaath, paramananda roopascha

 

It is personification of peace and ultimate happiness.

 

61.Lokhanau chintha na karya nivedhi, tha athma loka vedatwad.

 

One who practices "devotion" should not get worried about worldly

affairs, for he has given away all his actions to God.

 

62.Na thada siddhou , loka vivahoro heya , kinthu phala thyagas that

sadanam karya meva

 

Upon attaining the goal, a devotee should not keep away from worldly

actions but perform them without bothering about the result.

 

63. Sthreethana nasthika vairi charithram na sravaneeyam

 

Do not hear stories, gossip or news about women, atheist and

enemies.

 

64.Abhimana Dambadhikam tyagyam

 

Sacrifice egoism and self praise

 

65.Thadrpidago laachara san kala krodhabhi manadhikam tasminneva

karaneeyam

 

If after offering all actions to god, if feelings of anger, pride

and passion come again, they also should be offered to Him.

 

66.Tri roopa bhanga poorvakam nithya dasa, nithya kanthapa

janathmakam va premaiva karyam, premaiva karyam,

 

Breaking the three distinctions pointed out, one should always

serve Him like a servant or wife with unblemished love and

definitely with unblemished love.

 

67.Bhaktha ekandino mukhya

 

Those devotes only are great who keep Him as their one and

only one aim.

 

68.Kantavarodha romanchasrubhi parasparam labhamana , bhavayanthi

kulani prithweem.

 

These devotees with tear filled eyes, with stuttering voice, and

hair standing out discuss always about Him and are a gift to the

their clan and to the world.

 

69.Theerthi kurvanthi, theerthani sukarmi kuvanthi, karmani

sachasthri kurvanthi

 

These devotees make sacred waters more sacred , actions into

good actions and holy scriptures more holy.

 

70.Than maya

 

For they are filled with God.

 

71.Modanthe pitharo ,nruthyanthi devatha sanadha cheyam bhoorbhavathi.

 

Because of them the manes rejoice, gods dance and world gets a

good leader

 

72.Nasthi theshu jathi vidhya roopa kula dhana kriyadhi bedha

 

Within them there is no difference by caste, by knowledge, by

looks, by birth, , by wealth or by actions.

 

73.Yadasthadeeya

 

For all of them are His.

 

74.Vadho naa avalambham

 

These devotees should not enter into arguments.

 

75.Bahulya avakasada niyathathwacha

 

With differing opinions expressed nothing can be concluded in

these arguments

 

76.Bhakthi sasthrani mananeeyani thadudbodha sukarmanyapi

karaneeyani.

 

They should always read or hear about "devotion" and they should

engage themselves in acts to increase such "devotion".

 

77.Sukha dukhe icha labhadhi tyakthe kale, pratheekshyamane

kshanartham api vyardhanam na neyam.

 

They should await the time when happiness, sorrow, desire and

profit can be completely forsaken, and keep on thinking about him

every second with love.

 

78.Ahimsa Sathya sowcha, daya asthhikyadhi charithryani parpalaneeyani

 

They should observe strictly non-violence, truth. Cleanliness,

compassion and faith.

 

79.Sarvada sarve bhavena nischindhidair bhagawaneva bhajaneeya

 

Always and under all circumstances. Without diverting their

mind to other thoughts, they should pray God.

 

80.Sa keerthayamana seegram eva avirbhavathi anubhavayathi cha

bhakthan.

 

Being sung in such a way by the devotees, He appears before

them and makes them realize.

 

81.Trisathyasya bhakthireva gareeyasi , bhakthireva gareeyasi.

 

To the one who is truthful to Him in mind, body and words Devotion

is the greatest path , It is the greatest.

 

82.Guna mahathmyasakthi. Roopasakthi, poojasakthi, smaranasakthi,

dasyasakthi., sakhyasakthi, kanthasakthi, vatsalya sakthya athma

nivedanasakthithanmayadhasakthi, paramavirahasakthi, roopa

ekathabhya ekatha satha bhavathi.

 

Though "devotion" is one quality it is expressed in eleven

different ways depending on the individual soul viz 1.longing to hear

about His greatness, 2, Longing to see His great form, 3.Longing to

worship Him always 4. Longing to always remember Him 5. Longing to

forever serve Him as a slave 6. Longing to be His most intimate

friend 7. Longing to be his consort 8.Longing to be affectionate to

Him like a parent. 9.Longing to sacrifice our soul to Him. 10.

Longing to become Himself and 11, Suffering his absence even for a

second like a lover.

 

83.Ithyevam vadanthi jana jalpa nirbhaya eka matha , kumara Vyasa,

shukha, Sandilya, Garga, Vishnu, Koundinya, Sesho uddhavarunee bhali,

hanumath vibeeshanadha yo Bhakthacharya

 

Very great devotees like Vyasa, Shukha, Sandilya, , Garga,

Vishnu, Koundinya, Sesha, Udhawa, aaruni, Bali , Hanuman and

Vibeeshana tell in unanimity without bothering about different

opinions expressed that the path of "devotion" is the greatest.

 

84.Idham Narada proktham Shiva anusasanam Viswaseethi sradhathe sa

preshtam labhadha ithi.

 

One who with utmost faith and belief understands the above

exposition of Narada would attain God, would definitely attain God.

 

OM THAT SATH