Bhajana-Rahasya

by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya | 2010 | 123,965 words

The Bhajana-rahasya Text 14, English translation, including commentary (vritti). The Bhajana-rahasya is a compilation of verses describing the mercy of the eight pairs of names (Yugala-nama) of the Maha-mantra. This is text 14 belonging to the chapter “Prathama-yama-sadhana (Nishanta-bhajana–shraddha)” representing the last six dandas of the night: approximately 3.30 a.m.–6.00 a.m.

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.12) jñāna and karma are condemned:

नैष्कर्म्यम् अप्य् अच्युत-भाव-वर्जितं न शोभते ज्ञानम् अलं निरञ्जनम्
कुतः पुनः शश्वद् अभद्रम् ईश्वरे न चार्पितं कर्म यद् अप्य् अकारणम्

naiṣkarmyam apy acyuta-bhāva-varjitaṃ na śobhate jñānam alaṃ nirañjanam
kutaḥ punaḥ śaśvad abhadram īśvare na cārpitaṃ karma yad apy akāraṇam

Even pure knowledge (jñāna ), which is the direct sādhana to obtain liberation, has no beauty if it is devoid of devotion to Śrī Bhagavān. How then can self less action (niṣkāma-karma), which is not offered to the Supreme Lord, and fruitive action (kāmyakarma), which is always inauspicious in both its practice and perfection, be beautiful?

निरञ्जन कर्मातीत, कभु ज्ञान सुशोभित,
शुद्ध-भक्ति विना नाहि हय

nirañjana karmātīta, kabhu jñāna suśobhita,
śuddha-bhakti vinā nāhi haya

स्वभाव अभद्र कर्म, हलेओ निष्काम धर्म,
कृष्णार्पित नैले शुभ नय

svabhāva abhadra karma, haleo niṣkāma dharma,
kṛṣṇārpita naile śubha naya

Commentary: Bhajana-rahasya-vṛtti:

The word naiṣkarmya in this text refers to niṣkāma-karma, selfless action. Although such selfless action does not have the variegated nature of karma-kāṇḍa, devotees do not accept it because it is devoid of worship of the Supreme Lord. Devotees also have no connection with nirañjana-jñāna (knowledge freed from nescience) if it is not dedicated to Him. Renunciation (vairāgya) that does not lead to attachment to the lotus feet of Śrī Bhagavān is also useless. The ācāryas have ascertained that the living entity who leaves the eternal service of Śrī Hari and runs towards inauspicious karma or contemptuous mokṣa becomes bereft of his own supreme auspiciousness forever.

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