Steps in Devotion

In this Talk, Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha describes the steps in devotion and how gradually the mind of the devotee expands with purity, benevolence, love and service for all.

Quoting several verses from Bhagavad Gita which describe the steady development of devotion. Initially one worships God with material offerings. As the mind expands, one recognizes God as the All Pervading and All Penetrating Presence. Here, one offers all activities to the Supreme Lord.

The epitome of devotion is to recognize the Lord as being seated within one’s own heart, activating and propelling all actions. One must take refuge in this indwelling Lord and offer all Bhavas to this Eternal Source within. This leads to fulfilment. Swamiji alerts that to have such a devotional fulfilment requires constant introspection.

Shlokas chanted in the Track:

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति ।
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः ।।
Bhagavad Gita 9.26

यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ।
स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः ॥
Bhagavad Gita 18.46

ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृदेशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति ।
भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ॥
तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत |
तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम् ||
Bhagavad Gita 18.61- 62

PR 18 July 2012