In this episode of “5 Minutes,” Dr. Robert Svoboda explores bhakti, the difference between a bhakta and a yogi, and the place of devotion in traditional spiritual practice.
Bhakti means devotional love, and my mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda, was of the opinion that bhakti is the best spiritual path in Kali Yuga.
He was very fond of quoting a saying from Baba Chandaldas. Chandala means an outcast, a dog-eater, the lowest of the low. Chandaldas means the servant of the dog-eater. This particular outcast was Shiva, appearing in a form to test the original Shankaracharya.
Baba Chandaldas said, “Meri bhakti, teri shakti; teri sphuran, meri vacha; meri kam ho jai.” Meaning, my bhakti, my devotion, and your shakti, your divine energy. To the extent that I have devotion for you, to that extent I will be able to receive your shakti. Teri sphuran means your inspiration, your awakening, your initiatory influence. Meri vacha means that I will then be able to speak words that come true.
It will all be because of you, but it will happen because of the power, genuineness, and purity of my devotion to you. To that extent, all of this becomes possible.
Vimalananda also liked to quote a verse from the Padma Purana. Lord Narayana says to his great devotee, Narada, “I do not dwell in Vaikuntha, which is said to be my heavenly abode. I do not dwell in the hearts of yogis. I dwell wherever my bhaktas, my devotees, gather together and sing.”
There is also a story in which Narada asked Vishnu, “What is the difference between a bhakta and a yogi?”
Vishnu replied, “Come with me, and I will show you.”
They came down to earth and visited a yogi who was hanging upside down from a tree. Vishnu said, “Go and tell that yogi he has two more births before he comes to me.”
Narada delivered the message, saying, “The great Vishnu has said that you have only two more births before you come to him.”
The yogi became angry and said, “What kind of story is that? I have been hanging upside down for so many years. I will not accept any of it.” He climbed down from the tree, shook his fist at Narada, and stormed away.
Narada returned to Vishnu, who said, “That is the yogi. Now let us go to the bhakta.”
They found a devotee sitting beneath a large banyan tree, joyfully singing, “Narayan, Narayan.”
Vishnu said, “Go and tell him that he has as many lifetimes remaining as there are leaves on that tree.”
Narada replied, “If I tell him that, he will surely beat me.”
Vishnu said, “Do you have faith in me or not? Go.”
Narada approached the devotee. The bhakta welcomed him with great joy and said, “A great devotee of Vishnu has come to me. It is always a blessing to see one who loves the Lord. What message have you brought from the blessed Vishnu?”
Narada cautiously replied, “The blessed Vishnu says that you have as many lifetimes remaining as there are leaves on this tree.”
The bhakta became even more joyful and said, “I was afraid it would be an infinite number. It is only this many. I can spend all that time singing the name of God, and it will pass in no time. I am overjoyed. Oh, Narayan, Narayan.”
At that very moment, Vishnu appeared and said, “Since you have this attitude, I will take you right now.”
That is the difference between a bhakta and a yogi. That is why bhakti is such a powerful path.