Tasyaiva Sarvatha Bhaktiha Kartavya Manujairbhuvi |
Nihashreyasaakaaram Kigachittatoanyaneti Dashyataam ||113||
Devotion or Bhakti is endorsed here. All (upon this Earth) are to perform Bhakti of Shree Krishna. Bhuvi is used to indicate the level of Bhakti to be performed - thus Bhakti over and above ordinary devotion is stipulated.
Even the Devas have prayed for birth upon this earth because of the fruits derived through Bhakti - ‘We pray for birth upon Bharat Khanda (India) such that we can devote ourselves to God and be emancipated in all ways by the Lord.’
‘What righteous acts have those born upon Bharat Varsha with man form, which is for purposes of service to God, performed to attain such blessing? God must have been immensely pleased with them to grant them such favour that we all long for.’
‘We, the Brahmadi Devas long for birth as a man; through such form, we are able to understand the true nature of God and various entities (Tatva Gnaan) as well as attainment of Dharma. Those who do not devote their lives to service to God after attaining man-form are deluded through the effects of God’s Maya and in this way are imprisoned in sorrow.’
God has said, ‘The greatest tool for prosperity in this world is steadiness of the mind, together with Bhakti Yoga in Me.’ Krishna has similarly said, ‘I am Lord Supreme. I am the Lord of Prakriti and Purusha. I am the soul of all beings. Those that surrender themselves to somebody other that myself are never freed from fear which is the cause of death.’
It is said that only God himself can bestow the favour of Moksha (salvation) on a person. Therefore devotion to him should be readily practised. Lord Kapila has said, ‘O Mother! He, whose lotus feet are forever worthy of service and devotion, should be worshipped with devotion in all ways (mind, voice and action).’
Those that are devout in this way are never punished. Sarvatha worship with the mind, voice and action (Man, Varni and Karma) surrendered unto the Lord is explained here: ‘O Uddhava! May our minds stay steady in the lotus feet of Krishna; may our voices sing Krishna’s name and may our bodies salute Krishna through Namaskara.’
Vritrasura has said in his prayer, ‘O Lord! Please grant me the boon that I may have shelter of thy lotus feet. Make me a servant to serve thee and thy choicest devotees, in future births. Fix my mind upon thyself so that I may always praise thee and be engrossed in thy divine qualities. May my voice sing thy glory and my body perform service of thee.’
Great Bhaktas have prayed, ‘O Hari! May my voice sing thy glory, my ears listen to praise of thee, my hands serve thee, my mind be fixed at thy lotus feet and my sight have Darshan of thy Murti and thoust choicest devotees.’
Due to the fact that this body is perishable and that death is unpredictable, one should renounce all other worldly things and perform Bhakti of God. ‘Actions pertaining to salvation should be performed immediately. Death does not ask the question - “has he performed the righteous act or not?” Who knows whether he will die today? Therefore one should master Dharma at a young age, as the man form is scarce.’ Therefore one should strive to perform acts to attain Moksha before death.
Prahlad has said, ‘O friends! In this world, human form is difficult to attain and yet is easily perished. It is the only path to derive the endless grace of God, therefore one should from an early age, with all might, observe Bhagwat Dharma.’
‘Those who do not strive to free themselves from the cycle of births and deaths eternally perish in that cycle taking the forms of plants and beasts.’
Furthermore, those that do not try to free themselves from this bondage are considered as sinners. By wasting such a precious life through enjoyment of worldly pleasures, one is classed as an Atmahatyara or murderer.
There is no other greater tool to salvation than Bhakti - ‘Charity, Vrata, penance, sacrifice, chanting, study, control of the senses and others are all achieved singularly through Bhakti of Shree Krishna.’ ‘O Suta! The ears of those who have not listened to pastimes of Krishna are mere caves.’ ‘Dharma with truth and compassion or knowledge with penance are not able to purify the soul if they are devoid of Bhakti.’ In this way Bhakti has been accepted as amongst the greatest tools to salvation.