Bhajana-Rahasya

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

The Bhajana-rahasya Text 9, 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 9 belonging to the chapter “Caturtha-yama-sadhana (Madhyahna-kaliya-bhajana–ruci-bhajana)” representing from the second prahara until three-and-a-half praharas: approximately 11.00 a.m.–3.30 p.m.

One should accept only as much wealth as is necessary to maintain one’s life. The Nāradīya Purāṇa (quoted in Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.108) states:

यावता स्यात् स्व-निर्वाहः स्वीकुर्यात् तावद् अर्थवित्
आधिक्ये न्यूनतायां च च्यवते परमार्थतः

yāvatā syāt sva-nirvāhaḥ svīkuryāt tāvad arthavit
ādhikye nyūnatāyāṃ ca cyavate paramārthataḥ

A sādhaka who needs to maintain himself will collect only as much wealth and other material necessities as are required to maintain his bhakti; to accept too much or too little will surely make him deviate from his goal.

सहजे जीवन-यात्रा-निर्वाहोपयोगी
द्रव्यादि स्वीकार करे भक्त नहे भोगी

sahaje jīvana-yātrā-nirvāhopayogī
dravyādi svīkāra kare bhakta nahe bhogī

Commentary: Bhajana-rahasya-vṛtti:

A person qualified for vaidhī-bhakti should earn money to maintain his life through prescribed virtuous means; that is, according to varṇāśrama-dharma. It is auspicious to accept assets only according to one’s needs. Craving to accept more than necessary creates attachment, which will gradually destroy one’s bhajana. Accepting less than necessary is also harmful, as this will create an insufficiency, which in turn will weaken one’s bhajana. Therefore, as long as a person is not indifferent to material things, he should cultivate pure bhakti and accept only those assets that are required to maintain his life.

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