The Yoga of Devotion
Divine Life
Society Publication: - Bhagavadgita – Summary of Twelfth
Discourse by Sri Swami Sivananda
The twelfth discourse
indicates that the path of devotion is easier than the path of knowledge. In
this path the aspirant worships God in His Cosmic Form of the Supreme
Personality. He develops a loving relationship with Him, adores Him, remembers
Him and chants His glories and Name. He thus effects union with the Lord and
attains not only His formless aspect but also the Lord as the manifest
universe.
The path of knowledge, whereby
the aspirant meditates on the formless Brahman, is more difficult as he has to
give up his attachment to the body from the very beginning. He has to have
dispassion for the things of the world.
How to practice devotion?
Krishna asks Arjuna to fix his entire mind on Him. As often as the mind wanders
it should be brought back to the Lord. If this process of concentration is
difficult he should dedicate all his actions to Him, feeling that it is His
power that activates everything. If this also is beyond his ability, he should
offer all his actions to the Lord, abandoning the desire for their fruits. He
should take complete refuge in Him. The devotee who surrenders himself to the
Lord attains perfect peace.
The Lord goes on to describe
the qualities that a true devotee possesses. He neither attaches himself to
anything nor does he have any aversion to things. He has a balanced mind under
all circumstances. He is not agitated by the happenings of the world, nor does
he himself cause any agitation in others. He is perfectly desireless and
rejoices in the Lord within. He sees equality everywhere, being untouched by
sorrow, fear, and honor as also dishonor. He is perfectly content as he has
surrendered his entire being to the Lord.
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