Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Narada Bhakti Sutra 20

asty evam evam

SYNONYMS

asti -- it is; evam evam -- like each of these.

TRANSLATION

Bhakti is, in fact, correctly described in each of these ways.

PURPORT

The definitions of bhakti given above -- by Srila Vyasadeva, Garga Muni, Sandilya, and Narada Muni -- are not in conflict. While Narada has given us his own definition, here he says that the others are also valid. Bhakti is in fact a universal principle present at least partially in all theistic religions. Indeed, within many religions one could find a definition of love of God that would not contradict the conclusions of Narada Muni and the principles of Krsna consciousness taught by the followers of Lord Caitanya.

Narada has defined the highest form of bhakti. But is such a perfect state possible? The answer is yes. Unless devotees from time to time manifest pure bhakti, aspirants on the spiritual path would have nothing to emulate and strive for, and they might conclude that parama-bhakti is only an imaginary ideal. As Lord Caitanya says, dharma-sthapana-hetu sadhura vyavahara: "A devotee's behavior establishes the true purpose of religious principles" (Cc. Madhya 17.185).

Once Sanatana Gosvami pretended to be devoted to a sannyasi named Mukunda Sarasvati, rather than to Lord Caitanya. When Lord Caitanya's intimate servant Jagadananda Pandita saw Sanatana's behavior, he became very angry and threatened to beat Sanatana. Sanatana then revealed his purpose: "My dear Jagadananda Pandita, you are a greatly learned saint. No one is dearer to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu than you. This faith in Lord Caitanya befits you quite well. Unless you demonstrate it, how could I learn such faith?" (Cc. Antya 13.59).

We have seen the example of complete self-surrender and dedication of one's activities to Krsna in the life of His Divine Grace

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada's sanctity was not a private affair: he gave of himself profusely and was empowered to bring thousands of people to Krsna consciousness. Thus he perfectly fulfilled the criterion given by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura -- that one can tell the quality of a Vaisnava by how many persons he convinces to become Vaisnavas. By his personal preaching, by his books, and by the Krsna consciousness movement he created and nurtured, Srila Prabhupada showed the example of a life dedicated purely to pleasing Krsna. The potency of his acts continues as an ongoing legacy, accessible to anyone interested in taking up the path of bhakti-yoga. We are assured, therefore, of finding examples of perfect bhakti in the past, at present, and in the future.

Here Narada states that each authority he has quoted has described bhakti in his own authentic way. But in the next sutra Narada will say that the gopis of Vraja are exemplars of bhakti. Of the brief definitions of bhakti given in Sutras 16 through 19, we find that Narada's own definition best fits the gopis: "Bhakti consists of offering one's every act to the Supreme Lord and feeling extreme distress in forgetting Him."

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Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
Gopiparanadhana dasa Adhikari