The soul´s progress on the path of bhakti

Sraddha:

Shraddha, or faith, ist the first step of the aspirant of bhakti on his or her journey. Shraddha means to have firm faith in the revealed scriptures, which deal with the subject of bhakti. Shraddha also means the joyful endeavour to very carefully and attentively follow the process of bhakti like it is documented in the scriptures. Sraddha can be caused by natural and spontaneous attraction or by forceful imposition of the written word. Sraddha of the spontaneous and natural kind is born in the association of sadhus. Forcefully imposed faith is caused by blindly following and imitating.

Sadhu-Sanga:

‘Sanga’ means serving the sadhu, doing his paricharya, hearing Sri Krishna-katha from him, behaving as they behave, glorifying them – and be engrossed in serving them with body, speech and mind – this is sadhu-sanga. Then amongst these sadhus we may meet someone whose shelter we sincerely desire; he becomes our Sri Gurudev. We should take diksha and shiksha from him.

Bhajana-kriya:

Now we start hearing, glorifying, archanam, vandandam etc.

Bhajan-kriya is of two types –

– not firm

– firm

In the beginning stages our bhajan is not firm.

We have to cross a few hurdles before our bhajan becomes firm.

Anartha-nivritti:

Anartha-nivritti means „getting rid of bad qualities“

– When we are not firm in bhajan, our anarthas force us to slip down the ladder of bhakti. Anarthas are of four types –

Those arising from sinful actions – these anarthas arise from past and recentsinful activities.

Those arising of pious actions – the pious activities we have performed in the past grant us a rich lifestyle. This absorbs us in sense-gratification and causes anarthas.

Those arising from aparâdhs- Offenses against the Holy Name and sevâaparâdhs result in anarthas.

Those arising from bhakti – When we advance in bhakti we may get money, fame and power. They give rise to anarthas. Thus bhakti too can cause bad qualities.

What are the external symptoms that tell us we have got rid of anarthas?

When we lack the following –

Laya – we feel sleepy while chanting the Mahamantra, hearing and meditating. In fact sleepy while doing jap, more sleepy during hearing and the sleepiest while meditating. This characteristic is called ‘laya’.

Vikshepa – when we conduct worldly matters during hearing, glorifying etc. we call it ‘vikshep’.

Apratipatti – even though we may lack laya and vikshep, sometimes we do not feel like hearing or glorifying – this is ‘apratipatti’.

Kashaya – While doing bhajan such as hearing etc. if we get negative feelings such as anger, greed, pride – it is called ‘kashaya’.

Rasaswad – if we are unable to concentrate on hearing etc. because our mind is dwelling on material pleasures or attachments, it is called ‘rasaswad’.

Nistha:

This is the stage of firm bhajan.

“How do we decide whether our bhajan is ‘not firm’ or ‘firm’?

When we are lax in hearing, glorifying etc. we are not firm, and when we are strong in these activities we are ‘firm’.” When we become devoid of the five symptoms of anarthas as mentioned above, then we can say we have become ‘firm in bhajan’ or we have gained ‘nishtha’.

Ruci:

When we relish the sweetness of Sri Krishna’s name, beauty, qualities , pastimes and associates we have reached the state of ‘ruci’.

Asakti:

“When our ruci (interest) in bhajan becomes extremely intense and our thoughts keep roaming around Sri Bhagavan alone, then this stage is called ‘asakti’. The process of bhajan is like a gracious wish-fulfilling creeper on which asakti blooms like a cluster of buds that burst into the colorful flowers of bhava (asakti gives rise to bhava) that finally turns into prema (the fruit).”

(Madhurya Kadambini, 6th shower)

Bhava oder rati:

We have glimpses into the Divine Play and we are filled with Divine Love. Srila Rupa Goswami describes 9 symptoms of this stage –

We are not disturbed by anything.

No second we live without bhakti.

No in terest in things without Krishna.

Free from the false ego.

Unshakable firm faith in the mercy of Krishna.

Great longing to be with Krishna.

Always eager to chant the Holy Name.

Always eager to glorify Krishna.

Extremely eager to live in Vrindavana.

Prema:

Pure love to the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha Krishna; this pure love has the power to conquer Their hearts.