Questions by readers- Answers by The Mother! These answers are in no way definitive; nor do they make any claims to authenticity. These are supposed to answer the seeking. The insights contained in these answers issue from patrons of The Mother, among who are saints, holy men, scholars and advanced seekers. To submit a question, send email to editor.themother@gmail.com. Do not feel disappointed if The Mother does not publish the answer to your questions. The Editorial Board will choose questions to be published in The Mother depending upon its significance and service to the spiritual seekers at large. However, we will strive to answer most queries and personally communicate the answers to those who put forth genuine queries. Editor.

Q.

How are the mind and the intellect purified?

Answer.

By constant truthful behaviour, the mind is purified. Similarly by acquiring ‘Jnana’ (knowledge), intellect (Buddhi) is purified and by ‘Vidya’ (learning) and ‘Tapasya’ (Penance) the ‘Atma’ is purified. By water and earth one purifies the body; by not deceiving or cheating and not stealing or doing wrong acts to make material earnings, the use of pure ‘Satvika’ materials leads to the purification of material object. By living in a place inhabited by good men one acquires ‘Desh-Suddhih’ — purification in respect of land and, by not indulging in action prohibited by the Shastras one attains ‘Karma-Suddhi’ i.e. purification of one’s actions. One who observes these ‘Acharas’ does not have to bother about the consequences either in this world or in the next. ‘Sadachar’ alone can take him along unconsciously to the feet of Sri Bhagawan.

Q.

Well, you have said that even the Vedas cannot purify the person who does not observe ‘Sadachara’. If the Vedas fail, how can the four letters ‘Na-ra-ya-na’ succeed in purifying him?

Answer.

 ‘Narayana’ had kindled the ‘Vedas’ in the heart of ‘Brahma’, who gave birth to the Vedas. Therefore the ‘Naam’ of ‘Narayana’ has the power to do even what the Vedas cannot do. The proper interpretation of the statement that ‘Narayana Naam’ can relieve even a person, who does not observe proper codes of conduct, from his sins is that if a person becomes devoid of ‘Achara’ and ‘Bhakti’ due to his earlier misconduct, even he is lifted up by ‘Narayana Naam’. What to speak of the person who is a Bhakta and who observes ‘Sadachar’, they are already liberated. It does not mean that they are being told to give up ‘Achara’ and ‘Bhakti’. One thing more you should remember is that Ajamil uttered ‘Narayana Naam’ at the time of death possibly due to the ‘Sadachar’ which he had observed in his earlier life.

Q.

Well people talk about ‘Bhakti’. What is this ‘Bhakti’? What are the signs of that ‘Bhakti’ by which even the Bhagawan melts?

Answer.

Bhakti has many signs. Sri Narada said — sa tv asmin parama-prema-rupa — Absolute love for God is ‘Premarupa Bhakti’. Sa paraanuktirishware— To have deep attachment for God is Bhakti’ — “Kathaadishvati anauragah Bhakti’ — To have liking for stories and Leelas of Bhagawan is called Bhakti. This was said by Gargacharya. Maharshi Angira has said — "Sa-anuraga Rupena”— Due to abundance of ‘Shraddha’ to have extraordinary devotion to God is called ‘Bhakti’. Sri Vyas Deva has said — Pooja dishvanuraga Bhakti’ — To have liking for Puja and other rituals is called ‘Bhakti’.

Q.

What is ‘Anuraga’?

Answer.

Attachment is ‘Anuraga’. The child has attachment to its mother’s breast, the lustful man has attachment to woman, the miser has attachment to wealth, the thirsty has attraction for water, the hungry has desire for food and the person without ‘Jnana’ is attached to his body. Similarly when a person is attached to God or feels attracted towards Him, he has ‘Anuraga’ for God. That is 'Bhakti’.

Q.

So it follows that though ‘Bhakti’ is a small word, it is not all so simple. Exclusive attachment to God is called ‘Bhakti’, is that not so?

Answer.

Yes, any action or thinking relating to God i.e. His Puja, to hear and sing His ‘Naam-Kirtan’ and His ‘Leela Kirtan’, to meditate on His image, to be full of ‘Prema’ all these are included in ‘Bhakti’.

Q.

What are the signs of ‘Bhakti’?

Answer.

A.            Sarvopaadhi Vinirmuktam Tatparatwena Nirmalam, Hrishikena Hrishikesha Sevanam Bhaktiruchyate Narad Rangarav
After being completely freed from all feelings of difference between man and man or man and ‘Atma’ and with the help of ‘Indriyas’ purified due to complete devotion to God to serve the Indriyas of Hrishikesh, i.e. the God who is situated in the lotus in the heart, is called ‘Bhakti’.

Q.

Please explain how are the indriyas rendered pure due to devotion to God?

Answer.

The Indriyas get subdued by seeing or hearing of various objects beautiful or ugly, likeable or detestable. But by seeing God everywhere, hearing God’s words in every sound, by tasting Him in every kind of juice, by smelling His scent in all the scents of this world, by feeling His touch in every form of touch, by directing all ‘Indriyas’ to God, they are purified. To serve the dearest God with the help of such purified ‘Indriyas’ is ‘Bhakti’.

Q.

But this is very difficult. Is not a person who is fit to do all this rather rare?

Answer.

Though rare, such persons exist. The Sadhus say that, though it is difficult to find ‘Chandan’, yet it is available. No one is deprived of his dues from ‘Bhakti-Devi’. She has divided her body in nine sections and she is calling people to herself day and night.