The Arithmetic is Right - 81 types of Bhakti- Thank you , dear Sunder-ji !

[Guest guest]

i apologize ...

 

I am still lurking around on the Advaitin list as my trip to Florida

has been postponed due to the Hurricane Jeanne ...

 

Our most respected Sunderji is right on target when he says ....

 

(Purana, the Book III, Kapila's dialogue with his mother Devahuti,

describes Bhakti in terms of Satvik, Rajasic, and Tamasic. In Narada

Purana, it subdivides each of these under adhama, madhyama, and

uttama. Some have gone even as far as dividing each of these under

the nine-fold (nava-vidhA) aspects of Bhakti (making a total of

81 !!) (vide commentary by Deglurkar - in Marathi).

 

Yes, dear-hearts!

 

This is what i was leading up to when i mentioned in my two posts 1)

one on nine modes of devotional worship and the other on the classes

of bhakthas - Kanishta, Madhyama and Uttama ... NOW THE CIRCLE IS

COMPLETE with our beloved sunderji mentioning the three modes of

material nature Tamas, Rajas and Sattwic to these !

 

here is the Arithmetic ....

 

Nine modes of devotional worship

 

1) Listening to the recitals of names and glories of God

(ShravaNaM)

2.Recitation of the names of God (nAma-sankIrtanaM)

3. Recalling Him and His deeds (smaraNaM)-Leelas!

4. Waiting on Him (pAda-sevanaM) -Serving Him Hand and Foot!

5. Ritual Worship (ArchanaM)

6. Prostrating before Him (vandanaM)

7. Serving Him (dAsyaM)- Hanuman-ji's relationship with Lord Rama

8. Befriending Him (sakhyaM)- Arjuna's relationship with Lord Krishna

and

9.Dedicating oneself to Him (Atma-nivedanaM)- Sharanagati!

Surrender!!! .

 

Now, these nine modes of devotional worship can be divided into three

qualitative categories ....

 

1) modes of Ignorance ( Tamas)

 

2) modes of Passion (Rajas)

 

3) modes of Goodness (Sattwa)

 

to give an example

 

1) Hearing in the mode of Ignorance

2) Hearing in the mode of Passion

3) Hearing in the mode of Goodness

 

similarly

 

1)Chanting in the mode of Ignorane

2)Chanting in the mode of Passion

3)Chanting in the mode of Goodness

 

now for the ARITHMETIC ...

 

MULTIPLY 9 BY 3 AND YOU GET 27 !! are you with me so far?

 

then comes the last part ....

 

then multiply the 27 by three types of devotees -Adhama , Madhyama

and uttama types of devotees - you have 27x3=81!!!

 

Furthermore ...

 

here are examples ...

 

1) Violent ends (This is adhama-tAmasa bhakti)

2. Pride (This is madhyama-tAmasa bhakti)

3. JEalousy (uttama-tAmasa bhakti )

4. Sensual ends (adhama-rAjasa bhakti)

5. Wealth (madhyama-rAjasa bhakti)

6. Fame (uttama-rAjasa bhakti)

7. Eradication of Sins (adhama-sAtvika bhakti)

8. Pleasure of the Lord (madhyama-sAtvika bhakti), or

9. Duty (uttama-sAtvika bhakti)

 

 

 

"yas canyasya vinasartham bhajate sraddhaya harim

phalavat prthivi-pala sa bhaktis tamasadhama

 

yo 'rcayet kaitava-dhiya svairini svapatim yatha

narayanam jagannatham sa vai tamasa-madhyama

 

devapujaparan drstva spardhaya yo 'rcayed dharim

srnusva prthivi-pala sa bhaktis tamasottama

 

Narada Bhakti sutra says

 

There are three types of devotion that appear to be real but result

ultimately in distress.

 

The first is the selfishness of organized religion. It has a form of

godliness but leads to conflict.

 

A better path, but still inferior, is the passionate ones who battle

evil for God. They seek to right wrongs but ultimately they are

frustrated.

 

Better still is the devotion of the compassionate ones who seek peace

and happiness for all.

 

But the ultimate devotion is the total submission to God. Its

superiority is self-evident for it is free from all distress and is

filled with supreme joy.

 

and ADVAITINS, the most superior form of Bhakti is Nirguna Bhakti?

ANY TAKERS?

 

( all the above material was posted in my group Sadhana _ shakti in

an interesting discussion on Bhakti led by professor-ji)

 

Hari Aum Tat sat !!

 

( thank you Frank-ji, you keep me going !!! when will i get to rest

my weary head on my divine mother's lap? A woman never retires)