Cultivating Love Divine-Part II

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Continuing his enumeration of the means of developing love in the heart, Narada says: (Also) through continuous, tender and loving service of Lord. (Sutra36)

In the technique of discovering supreme devotion, Narada is now pointing out the positive things that the seeker must pursue and cultivate diligently so that his mind becomes steadily fixed upon the higher principle of truth, thus developing attachment to the Supreme.

When we begin to recognize our own passions and weaknesses we will naturally turn more towards our own savior. Such a person will start seeking his Lord, his devotion will increase, and enable him to move nearer to His feet. In the Bhagavat Gita, Chapter 9, Verse 29, Lord Krishna declares: " The same am I to all beings; to Me there is none hateful nor dear, but those who pray to me with devotion are in Me and I am also in them" When an individual begins to pray to his Lord, with a spirit of total surrender, devotion of its own accord manifests in his heart. When this emotion of devotion increases, the devotee's personality and the infinite nature of the Lord of his heart become one. This is the essence of the Experience Supreme. In short prayer is the spring- field for all devotion.

Describing the mental attitude of total dedication in pure devotion , the Narada Pancaratna paints its as follows. "I have no more desire in any of the main four duties of life; give me Lord a life; of continuous enjoyment adoring thy lotus feet".

When devotion pervades our hearts and shines through all our actions, it becomes true bhajana. Thus, if love, (bhakti) is the emotion; service (bhajana) is its expression. Such tender and loving service of the Lord through body and mind must become constant, steady, and strictly punctual. Scriptural study and spiritual practice such as concentration and meditation, must alternate without the least gap; as a result of this, the Supreme Self will manifest Itself"

The Adhyatmopanisad says, " Never allow any room for drowsiness, gossip, distraction due to external sounds and forgetfulness and continuously meditate upon the Atman within" , Breaks in spiritual practices are not advisable; not only do they destroy the effects of the past practices, but they can often be harmful as well. Therefore the necessity for the uninterrupted bhajana.

If bhakti is the emotional accompaniment, bhajana represents the joyful dance of activities in the life of the diligent devotee. These two elements of devotion should be cultivated in all our actions. This can be accomplished if we fulfill all our activities in a sincere spirit of dedication and total surrender unto Him. When one is really interested in any activity, it ceases to be a laborious work for that individual. It becomes a play!