Living takes time. So we need to understand that which is important, that which is not important, that which is urgent and that which is not urgent. When a matter is important and urgent, then our relationship with such tasks should be ‘Do’ that task. When a task is important but not urgent, then our relationship with such tasks should be ‘Design’ a schedule/scheme whereby this will get done. When a task is not important but it is urgent, then our relationship with such tasks should be ‘Delegate’. When a task is not important and not urgent, then ‘Drop it’. 

Since life is short, there is a sense of urgency, and we should know what is important to us! Our Narada Bhakti Sutra course is encouraging us to train ‘in loving the divine’. We have no control over the urgency part as time keeps moving for all, but the importance part is highly variable. So we are training ourselves to make loving the divine important! We should just do it!

For some Rishi Narada is a theological figure and for others He is a mythological figure. If we consider Rishi Narada to be a mythological figure, we would not take Him seriously. So in our community, Rishi Narada is a theological figure and we take what He shares (which is Bhakti) seriously. The word that best describes Bhakti is Anuraga. Anuraga is where we love without the sense of ‘i’. A way to know if we are cultivating anuraga is that we reduce/lessen asking ‘why me?’. Even deeper is that we don’t even ask ‘why?’. Bhagavan knows what is best for us, so sentiments like ‘why me?’ and ‘why?’ are dismantled. Bhagavan is looking at us and so looking after us! 

The sutras are very short and are like shock messages. When we are shocked, we become lethargic and don’t follow through with our responsibilities. We should force ourselves to continue with our responsibilities. Swami Brahmananda has shared that we should purify our personalities by force. 

Recap:

Sutra 33: Rishi Narada shares that anyone who is living for Moksha must learn to love the divine (Bhakti). The more we love the divine, the more we will know the divine.

Sutra 34: Rishi Narada shares ways to practice this love. There are different practices because people are different, and need different practices. For example, everyone has their own system while shoveling the driveway, but in the end it’s all shoveling and for safety. Similarly, Bhakti is the ends and there are many ways to practice this. 

Sutra 35: Rishi Narada shares that we should be available to practice love. He specifies that one has to renounce or give up the sanga of articles and beings. 

Sutra 36: Rishi Narada shares that practicing Bhakti is done through seva. One is to serve the divine, and the implication is that we tend to feel that the divine is in a controlled environment like a mandir. But for one who really wants to live this sutra, one tries to feel divinity in every context, specifically with beings. 

Sutra 37: To help us feel this constant presence, Rishi Narada shares ‘hear and sing’. This can be put in a simplistic model as input and output. Inputting ‘insights into the divine’ helps us to be intentional as we go about living. Two of the qualities that Bhagavan Rama teaches Sri Vibheeshana on how to be courageous are ‘Satya’ and ‘Sheela’. Satya (ideal) is described as the dhwaja (bigger flag) and Sheela (nobility) as the pataaka (smaller flag). So Bhagavan Rama is sharing that when we have an ideal, then we start to live in a noble way. If Bhagavan Rama is the flag, then the flag pole would be Sri Lakshmana.

Sutra 38: Here Rishi Narada changes direction and explains why some people have Bhakti and some people don’t, why some people live with Raga (attachment) and some live with Viraga or Anuraga. Rishi Narada shares Bhakti (Anuraga) is because of the grace of those who are great as well as the grace of God. 

In Sutra 33, Rishi Narada says that it is our effort by which we can practice Bhakti, but now He says it is just our fortune. In chapter 6 of Bhagavat Gita, Bhagavan says ‘lift yourself by yourself’ , in chapter 7 He says ‘you are my instrument’. The ‘i’ness is systematically dismantled.

Sutra 39: Here Rishi Narada shares the reason why one has Bhakti in their heart has nothing to do with God, it is only on account of those who are great. Pujya Swami Chinmayananda has written ‘ Truly great souls are indeed at any given period of history very rare and therefore it is not always possible for all people to come into contact with such perfect masters’.

In Sutra 38, Rishi Narada shares that it is a mixed grace by which we have access to Bhakti and in Sutra 39 He says it is just on account of the great. 

Sutra 40: Here Rishi Narada shares that we have access to Bhakti just on account of God. 

This Class:

Sutra 41: tasmin tat jane bhedābhāvāt 

‘Tasmin’ means in God, ‘jane’ means God’s people, ‘bheda’ means differences and ‘abhaava’ means no differences. There is no difference between Bhagavan and Bhakta. Ambassadors really are the front facing aspect of the president. This is the relationship between Bhagavan and a bhakta. One cannot tell who is a bhakta, so the default should be to respect everyone. This respect will evolve to love, which will evolve to reverence. 

Sutra 42: tat eva sādhyatām 

‘Tat’ here means bhakti (anuraga), ‘eva’ means alone/only, ‘saadhyataam’ means should be accomplished. We have a single macro responsibility which is to integrate our personality. Daksha means doing only what you can do. Being born as a human with sattva and a Sathguru/shishya parampara, if we are not training in love, then we are wasting the opportunity. In Vivekachoodamani, Acharya Shankara is stern about this and calls people who don’t live for enlightenment ‘Atmaha’ (committed suicide of their spirit), meaning suicide of the opportunity to be the Spirit. 

Sutra 43: dussanga sarvathā eva tyājaH

‘Dussanga’ is association that does not challenge us, ‘sarvathaa’ means in all means, ‘eva’ means uncompromisingly, ‘tyaajaH’ means renounce. 

One should uncompromisingly/unhesitatingly renounce and let go of negative people.