Priya Kunj Ras

  Firm faith in  Sadhu (saints),  Guru  (spiritual mentor) and  Shastras  (scriptures) is called  Shraddha . There are three types of Shraddha: Sadharan Shraddha, Vishesh Shraddha and Atyantiki Shraddha. 1.   Sadharan Shraddha: A sadhak with Sadharan Shraddha visits Sadhus and his Guru occasionally and tries to serve them according to his convenience. He listens to Their lectures and tries to perform devotional services a little. He gets entangled in worldly matters most of the time, but sometimes, remembers that he must associate with enlightened Sadhus to develop Bhakti for Krishna. Thus, he visits Them for a few days but again gets entangled in Maya when he comes back. 2.   Vishesh Shraddha: A sadhak with Vishesh Shraddha tries to remain in association with Sadhus/Guru as much as possible and pleases Them through Their service. He tries to follow Their instructions with determination in his life.   Such sadhaks must keep i...

There are four kinds of practitioners of Bhakti: Sthula Pravartaka Sadhak Siddha A Sthula devotee is largely ignorant to God and the goal of human birth, that is, realization of one’s relationship with God. He is only concerned with his material desires and pleasing his family and friends. Even when he worships God, he prays only for worldly pleasures and relief from suffering. A Pravartaka devotee is who has understood that realizing one’s relationship with God is the goal of human birth due to some association with Sadhus. Yet, he is largely attached to worldly possessions and relationships. So, although he tries to do bhajan, he is hardly able to do so. Even the little bhajan he does is only mechanical and not with heartfelt devotion. A Sadhak devotee is who has started developing indifference to worldly matters and relationships, and tries to do bhajan with determination and devotion. Although there are worldly desires hidden in his heart, he fights the urges and engages i...

  Q: Many devotees leave householder life and stay in Vraja Dham by the mercy of Radharani. Although they come with the intention of doing bhajan, often they become attached to various pleasurable objects or people. Why does this happen? A: When the sadhak leaves home, comes to Vraja Dham and gradually, settles down to a comfortable lifestyle, his initial zest for bhajan subdues and he becomes lazy in bhajan. In present times, it is easy to find comfortable accommodation, Prasadam, etc in Vraja Dham and this is leading to a degradation in the quality of bhajan of devotees living here. Along with that, mingling with many people and lack of a lifestyle of austerities leads to deviation from the path of Bhakti. [It is important to understand that even though we mostly mingle with devotees in Vraja Dham, if our conversations involve anything other than the qualities and pastimes of Guru, Krishna and Radharani, it is a deviation from bhajan.] When the sadhak is in Grihastha Ashram...