Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Narada Bhakti Sutra 36

avyavrtta-bhajanat

SYNONYMS

avyavrtta -- uninterrupted; bhajanat -- by worship.

TRANSLATION

One achieves bhakti by worshiping the Lord ceaselessly.

PURPORT

Narada has given a negative order -- to restrain the mind and senses; he now gives the positive method for engaging the mind and senses in Krsna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada compared Krsna conscious activity to placing an iron rod in fire. As the rod stays steadily within the flames, it becomes hotter and hotter, until eventually it becomes fiery. In the same way, the devotee who steadily engages in Krsna consciousness gradually becomes transformed, until eventually he becomes fully Krsna conscious. If one is completely absorbed in Krsna's service, there is no scope for the activities of maya.

The Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.6) also recommends uninterrupted devotional service:

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje

ahaituky apratihata yayatma suprasidati

"The supreme occupation for all humanity is that by which one can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendental Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self."

In this sutra Narada uses the word bhajana, which also appears, in a slightly different form, in the Bhagavad-gita (6.47). In concluding His instructions on astanga-yoga in the Sixth Chapter of the Gita, Lord Krsna says that one who serves Him with devotion and faith (sraddhavan bhajate yo mam) is the highest yogi. Srila Prabhupada explains that the word bhaj means "service":

Service with love and faith is especially meant for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One can avoid worshiping a respectable man or demigod and may be called discourteous, but one cannot avoid serving the Supreme Lord without being thoroughly condemned. [Bg. 6.47, purport]

This passage indicates that bhakti is not a spiritual recreation for a few people but is intended for all, and it cannot be avoided without dire consequences.

Narada says bhakti is attained by uninterrupted loving service. But does he mean that one must be flawless, that one must never slip? No, Lord Krsna allows for mistakes, provided one is determined to serve Him. He says in the Ninth Chapter of the Gita,

api cet su-duracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak

sadhur eva sa mantavyah samyag vyavasito hi sah

"Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination" (Bg. 9.30). Srila Prabhupada warns us, however, not to take advantage of this statement and think we can intentionally violate the rules of devotional life and still be a devotee. The blessing from the Lord expressed here is that if we go on serving the spiritual master and Krsna with determination -- especially by chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare -- then Lord Krsna will accept us as His devotee, despite our imperfections.

But exactly what does one do to always keep busy in Krsna consciousness and avoid becoming bored or restless? Prahlada Maharaja taught a ninefold process of bhakti for maintaining full engagement in the Lord's service: (1) hearing about the Lord, (2) chanting His name and glories, (3) remembering Him, (4) serving His lotus feet, (5) worshiping the Deity, (6) offering prayers to the Lord, (7) becoming His servant, (8) becoming His friend, and (9) offering Him everything. While the first two of these processes are extremely important, any one of them is sufficient for achieving perfection. Srila Prabhupada writes:

The nine different processes enunciated by Prahlada Maharaja, who learned them from Narada Muni, may not all be required for the execution of devotional service; if a devotee performs only one of these nine without deviation, he can attain the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. [Bhag. 7.5.24, purport]

In early 1968 I wrote a letter to Srila Prabhupada saying that sometimes I couldn't decide which service I should do at a given moment. Should I wash the dishes or chant Hare Krsna? Prabhupada replied:

There isn't any difference between chanting the Holy Name [and] washing the dishes of the Temple. So do not be worried when you are attracted for doing other work in the Temple. There is variegatedness in transcendental activities. Sometimes we like to chant, sometimes we like to wash dishes. There is no difference on the Absolute plane.

<<< >>>

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