Paths of Devotion

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Paths of Devotion

By His Holiness Swami Kesavaiahji

Many are the paths leading to liberation. Though the paths are many, the

ultimate goal is the same. From time immemorial the Bhakti marga has been

peculiarly suited to the genius of the Indian masses. Hence it is that devotion

has a special appeal to all classes of people in India and legion are the saints

who came under the all-pervading influence of devotion and have trodden this

golden path of spirituality, immortality and liberation. These saints have left

behind them footprints on the sands of time, indelible land marks for the

guidance of faltering humanity to traverse this steep and rugged path of

devotion. One of these perfected men is Sri Sadguru Samartha Ramdas, the great

saint of Maharashtra. He has laid down the following types of devotion:

The first is Sravana, i.e. hearing spiritual knowledge, this is the

foundation of all spiritual life and the quintessence of a devotee's

very being. He must listen daily, hourly, throughout his life, the

attributes, praises and the name of God till at last the complete

meaning of what he hears becomes part and parcel of his consciousness.

Kirtana, i.e., singing the praise of God develops spirituality not only of the

person who performs but also of those who listen. Riches and women are

capricious allurements in this path. Music and play of the instruments should

not make one forget God, but they should be aids to intensify one's zealous

devotion and celestial joy.

 

Smarana.i.e., remembering the name of God is another aid to spiritual

progress. All spiritual knowledge is revealed knowledge and we can only get it

through the grace of a Sadguru. By constantly meditating on the name of God,

apart from overcoming all difficulties on the path, we can realise God with

delirious ecstasy.

 

Pada Sevana, i.e., resorting to the feet of the Guru is a means of

spiritual development. If this is not physically possible, we must

mentally prostrate ourselves at the feet of the Guru with reverence and

humility.

 

Archana, i.e., worship of God is another type of devotion. This is real or

mental worship of the various images of God and offering Him the best things of

life, with deep yearning after God realization.

Namaskara is the same as archana, i.e., bowing down or prostrating

ourselves before God or God-like person. This entails such noble

qualities as humility, dedication, total surrender and patients waiting with

hope and faith for the grace of God.

(to be contd..)