Bhakti and Jnanam

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Bhakti and Jnanam

 

We saw the Supreme Bhakti of the Great Jnani Hanuman. Let us have a look at

the Bhakti of Bhagavan Himself. There is this famous statement of Sri

Ramachandra in the Yogavasishtha (6.128.102 to 105)

 

Na vidher-na nishedhasya tvatprasaadaadayam prabhuH |

Tathaapi tava vaakyam tu karaniiyam hi sarvadaa ||

 

Vedaagama-puraaneshu smrtishvapi Mahaamune |

Guruvaakyam vidhiH prokto nishedhas-tad-viparyayaH ||

 

By Thy grace, this individual (called Ramachandra) is no longer bound by

injunctions and prohibitions. Yet, Thy word is ever to be obeyed. O Great

Sage! Everywhere – in the Vedas, aagamas, puraanas and smritis – it has been

prescribed that the word of the Guru is the injunction and what is contrary to

it is the prohibition.

 

Having submitted thus, Sri Rama, not being able to see any other way of

repaying the debt of benefaction of the attainment of the Supreme Goal conferred

on him by his Guru, offered himself to his Guru by way of placing the Guru's

sacred feet on his own head; and instructed, in order to steady the faith, all

the people assembled, about the unrivalled supremacy of the glory of Knowledge

and the glory of the Guru, directly experienced by himself.

 

Ityuktvaa charanau tasya Vasishthasya mahaatmanaH |

Shirasaa dhaarya Sarvaatmaa sarvaan praaha ghrnaanidhiH ||

 

Sarve shrnvata bhardram vo nischayena sunischitam |

Aatmajnaanaat param naasti Gurorapi cha tatvidaH ||

 

Being himself the spring of mercy and the Self of all, Sri Rama proclaimed :

'Listen all of you, our firm conviction that is undoubtedly auspicious to you

all – there is nothing higher than the knowledge of the Self; nor anything

higher than the Guru, the knower of the Self.'

 

Bhagavan declared in the Gita: The Atmajnani is My very Self. He is dearest

to Me. For, such a jnani holds Me to be the dearest. This is Parabhakti and

this alone is Parajnananishthaa.

 

Om Tat Sat