Ninth Stage of Bhakti | Prem Bhakti (Part 3) | Sri Vinod Babaji Maharaj

 

Krishna gives darshan (sight) in many ways before giving darshan in person. Sometimes, He gives darshan in dream, Sphurti state, etc. But all of these are ‘Avrita darshan', that is, shrouded darshan. The ‘Anavrita darshan', that is, pure and unshrouded darshan is so powerful that the human body cannot tolerate its impact and the devotee might die. In dream or Sphurti, Radha Krishna give only partial darshan with the help of Yogmaya. Many people think that they have received divine darshan and become content in their bhajan as soon as they get a glimpse in Sphurti state. But such darshans are not the perfection of bhajan. The pure darshan can be tolerated by a devotee only at the stage of perfection of Prem Bhakti.

One of my godbrothers, Shankararanya, gave a letter to my Gurudev saying, “I am going to Nidhivan. I cannot tolerate the pain of separation anymore. I don’t know if I will return.” He left on an Ekadashi night. At that time, the boundary wall of Nidhivan was low. Next day morning, he was found lying just beside the gates of Nidhivan. When the keepers of Nidhivan opened the gates, they saw a young Babaji lying nearby and repeatedly opening and closing his mouth as if yawning silently. They were astonished and immediately took him to the doctors, but nobody could understand what was wrong with him as he looks physically well.

My Gurudev was in Govardhan at that time. So, Shankararanya was taken to Govardhan on Dwadashi (the very next day of Ekadashi). Word reached the ears of my Gurudev that he was taking his last breaths. Gurudev said, “Bring water, quickly.” Someone brought a cup of water. Gurudev submerged his big toe in the water and said, “Go quickly, and give this water to him.” Someone immediately did as told. As soon as he drank the water of Gurudev's lotus feet, he left his material body.

Another devotee used to cry and pray to Radharani to give darshan. Radharani said (in his dream), “You are not ready to receive pure darshan yet.” But he wouldn’t listen and cried miserably. Merciful Radharani showed him just Her hand in pure state. Just by having Darshan of Her Hand in his unqualified stage, the brain of devotee got damaged and thereafter, he roams in streets like a mad-man. Imagine what would have happened if Radha Krishna gave full darshan to him!

This is why, Krishna gives shrouded darshans of mild powers initially. As the tolerance capacity of devotee increases with enhanced power, gradually, he becomes ready to tolerate the power of pure darshan.

In my childhood, we used to watch an ‘electric girl' in our local circus shows. A girl would hold a light bulb and it would light up. If a normal person touched her, they would get an electric shock. The truth is, she was trained like this since childhood. She was given small shocks of electricity on regular basis (as much as she could tolerate) in increasing powers as she grew up. The result was that she could tolerate a high amount of electricity which was unimaginable for normal people.

In a similar way, the devotee has to tolerate the bliss of darshan and pain of separation in increasing powers. Gradually, his body and mind become ready to tolerate the power of pure darshan.

• At first, Krishna gives darshan in Sphurti state. This power is called ‘Saundarya’. The devotee becomes overwhelmed with bliss and falls unconscious on seeing His beauty.

• Krishna gives him the ability to smell His intoxicating fragrance. This power is called ‘Saurabhya’. The devotee becomes overwhelmed and falls unconscious again.

• Then Krishna gives him the ability to hear His voice. This power is called ‘Sauswarya’. Krishna calls the devotee lovingly in His sweet voice, hearing which the devotee gets engulfed in bliss and falls unconscious again.

• Then Krishna gives him the ability to experience His touch. Krishna places His soft lotus hand on his head or wipes his tears. This power is called ‘Saukumarya'. The devotee becomes overwhelmed with bliss and falls unconscious yet again.

• For the devotees of Sringar rasa (Sakhi mood), Krishna gives them the ability to relish the taste of His lips. This power is called ‘Saurasya’. The devotee becomes intoxicated by the sweet & nectarine taste of Krishna's lips and falls unconscious again.

• Ultimately, Krishna gives him the ability to experience all aspects of the His sweetness together at the same time. This power is called ‘Audārya’. The devotee finally becomes able to tolerate the tremendous power of full darshan. Therefore, Krishna gives him full darshan in which the devotee is able to see His beauty, smell His intoxicating scent, hear His voice and experience His touch.

• Although the devotee reaches the perfection of Krishna Prem, he is still unable to see the pastimes of Golok Dham in its full power. Therefore, Krishna bestows His ‘Kārunyå'. Then the devotee is able to see Radha Krishna along with all Their eternal devotees in Golok Dham and Their nectarine pastimes.

He becomes immensely grateful. Henceforth, Krishna never leaves the devotee and he always experiences divine pastimes in person.

There are seven more stages of Prem Bhakti called: Sneha, Maan, Pranay, Raag, Anuraag, Bhav and Mahabhav. These stages of Prem are not possible in this human body. The devotee, who has achieved his eternal Manjari Swarup in the stage of Prem Bhakti, has to take birth in the earthly pastimes in one of the infinite universes where Krishna incarnates at that time. The Manjari's mood of service to Radharani develops through these six stages of Prem to the perfection of the Manjari mood of ‘Bhavollasa Rati'. Henceforth, she is able to serve Radharani in Golok Dham eternally.

So, how to progress quickly through these nine stages of Bhakti and attain the divine Krishna Prem in this very lifetime? Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave a very simple instruction – “Jive daya, Name ruchi aar Vaishnav sevan”.

• Jive daya: The sadhak must have compassion and sympathy towards all creatures and try to alleviate their suffering according to his capacity. He must acknowledge that Krishna resides in the hearts of all creatures and respect them. True compassion for all creatures, that is, having no grudges for anyone in the world, can only come when the sadhak sees Krishna in every heart. If you have even a hint of any grudge against anyone, you might be able to progress a little in the path of Bhakti but you cannot achieve the divine Prem Bhakti. Criticizing Vaishnavas is even more dangerous. Mahaprabhu says,

“Je mor daser sakrit ninda kare,

Mor naam kalpataru tahare sanhare”. 

Meaning: Whoever criticizes my devotees, my Naam which is like a divine tree that fulfils the wishes of all those who come under its shelter, destroys him.

Actually, we perform many kinds of devotional services, but do not progress in the path of Bhakti due to holes in our sadhana. Sometimes, earthen pots have very slight cracks that is invisible to the naked eye. But if you fill water in such an earthen pot, it will seep out of those cracks gradually. Similarly, we have many cracks in our sadhana in the form of grudges, hatred or considering anyone as inferior. Although we do a lot of bhajan, it leaks out of these holes.

• Naame ruchi: The sadhak must chant Harinaam with enthusiasm. The sadhak will not find pleasure in Harinaam until he is devoid of Vaishnav Aparadhas. There are six main types of Vaishnav Aparadhas:

• "Hanti" (beat or kill),

• "Nindanti" (to discuss a Vaishnava’s flaws),

• "Vaideshti" (to see a Vaishnav as an enemy even in the mind),

• "Vaishnav anabhinandati" (not serving a Vaishnav guest),

• "Krudhyate" (is angry on a Vaishnav) and

• "Na harsham darshane" (not to express happiness on seeing a Vaishnav).

Most importantly, the sadhak must try to please a Vaishnav by his behaviour. You don’t have to spend money to give honour to a Vaishnav. “Maharaj, come, come. How grateful I am to be able to serve you. I don’t know how to do seva, but you have come to shower mercy on me. I am a fallen person. Please be satisfied with my humble service,” this is how you must give honour to a Vaishnav. It is free, you don’t have to spend money, give valuable things to a Vaishnav. If one can please a Vaishnav in free and get priceless blessings for one’s progress in the Bhakti path, then why should you be a miser?! Please Vaishnavas through your sweet and humble behaviour.

• Vaishnav Seva: Krishna becomes pleased with the sadhak very quickly when he serves Vaishnavas. Even if he lacks in sadhana (in chanting Harinaam, observing austerities, etc), Krishna does not care. The most important thing in Vaishnav seva is Shraddha (faith) in Vaishnavas. This faith can be culminated by reading the glories of Vaishnavas in various scriptures.

“Krishna-seva hoiteo Vaishnaver seva boro,

Bhagvat adi sab shastre koila dadha.”

(Chaitanya Bhagvat 3.3.485) 

Meaning: It is better and of greater importance to serve Vaishnavas than Krishna. Srimad Bhagvatam and other scriptures have resolutely emphasized this.

My Gurudev used to say that if you are offering flowers at the lotus feet of Radha Krishna and wanted to say, “Govindaya Namah”, but you have only said Govindaya & not able to say Namah and suddenly at the same time a Vaishnav guest calls for you, you must attend the Vaishnav and should leave the flowers. Krishna will be more pleased to see your faith and devotion to Vaishnavas than the flower offering.

“Bhakta bai amar dvitiya aar nai,

Bhakta mor pita, mata, bandhu, putra, bhai.”

(Chaitanya Bhagvat 3.1.267)

Meaning: I have no one else except my devotees. My devotees are my father, mother, friends, son and brother (friends and family). 

Krishna never leaves His devotees and is most pleased when the sadhak serves Vaishnavas. But one must serve them without seeing their faults. If you discriminate between Vaishnavas as renunciates and householders or brahmins and low castes, etc, then Krishna will be displeased instead. Shri Ramdas Babaji Maharaj taught a very simple principle:

“Jogote sobai jogyo, ami sudu ojogyo, vidhi nishedh sudu amar e jonye.”

Meaning: In this world, all are perfect. Only I am imperfect and all do's & don’ts mentioned in the scriptures are only for me.

In this way, if the sadhak respects all creatures, serves Vaishnavas and continuously chants Harinaam, he will progress through the various stages of Bhakti very quickly and achieve the divine Krishna Prem. (This series of Stages of Bhakti gets completed here)