Bhajana-Rahasya

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

The Bhajana-rahasya Text 36, 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 36 belonging to the chapter “Dvitiya-yama-sadhana (Pratah-kaliya-bhajana)” representing the first six dandas of the morning: approximately 6.00 a.m.–8.30 a.m.

The gradual development of bhakti through the association of genuine sādhus is described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.25):

सतां प्रसङ्गान् मम वीर्य-संविदो भवन्ति हृत्-कर्ण-रसायनाः कथाः
तज्-जोषणाद् आश्व् अपवर्ग-वर्त्मनि श्रद्धा रतिर् भक्तिर् अनुक्रमिष्यति

satāṃ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṃvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati

In the association of pure devotees, there are powerful discussions that illuminate My heroic deeds and that are pleasing to both the ears and the heart. By hearing these narrations, one quickly proceeds along the path of the removal of ignorance, which is the sequential development of śraddhā, rati and prema-bhakti.

साधु-सङ्गे हय कृष्ण-कथा रसायन
ताहे श्रद्धा रति भक्ति क्रमे उद्दीपन

sādhu-saṅge haya kṛṣṇa-kathā rasāyana
tāhe śraddhā rati bhakti krame uddīpana

Commentary: Bhajana-rahasya-vṛtti:

By great fortune, the living entity wandering throughout material existence may attain that kind of sukṛti which bestows bhakti. When this sukṛti accumulates over many births, it gives rise to faith (śraddhā) in exclusive devotion. When śraddhā arises, the desire to associate with pure devotees and true saints manifests, and by this association, one will gradually develop a taste for sādhana and bhajana. When anarthas are removed and this śraddhā becomes pure, it transforms into niṣṭhā, which in turn, when pure, transforms into ruci. The beauty of bhakti makes this ruci very fixed, and thus turns it into āsakti. Gradually this āsakti gains perfection and transforms into bhāva. When bhāva combines with its corresponding components in the right proportion, rasa appears. This is the gradual development leading to the appearance of prema.

 

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