Navdha Bhakti

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Navdha Bhakti" by Jaydayal Goyandka, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Navdha Bhakti (Ninefold Devotion) Author: Jaydayal Goyandka Publisher: Sastu Sahitya Vardhak Karyalay

Core Message: The book emphasizes that devotion (Bhakti) is the easiest and most accessible spiritual path, especially in the current era (Kalyug). It argues that while other paths like knowledge, yoga, and penance are difficult and require specific resources, devotion is universally available and effective for spiritual liberation. The ultimate goal of devotion is to attain a state of oneness with the all-pervading divine, transcending the limited ego.

Understanding God and Devotion:

• The Divine: God is described as the all-knowing, all-powerful, omnipresent, and the indweller of all beings. God is the law of justice and righteousness, the witness to all, and the source of all knowledge and intelligence. Although beyond qualities, God manifests in various forms (God, human, etc.) for the welfare of beings and the propagation of dharma, granting darshan (vision) to devotees as per their desires. God has manifested in different eras as Hari, Rama, and Krishna.
• The Essence of Devotion: Devotion is defined as supreme love (Param Anurag or Param Prem) for God. It is described as the taste of nectar and the ultimate culmination of love, which is expressed through service. True devotion is unwavering love for God.

Eligibility for Devotion:

• Universal Right: Every living being has the right to devotion. Examples are given of animals and birds (Hanuman, Jambavan, Gajendra, Garuda, Kakabhushundi, Jatayu) who attained high spiritual states through devotion.
• Human Superiority: However, due to a lack of knowledge and the means for practice, animals and birds cannot independently practice devotion. Therefore, scriptures emphasize the right of humans to devotion.
• Beyond External Factors: Age, form, knowledge, wealth, caste, strength, and even good conduct and virtues are not the primary criteria for God's favor. God is pleased solely by devotion. The book quotes a verse stating that Madhav (God) is pleased by devotion alone, not by virtues. While virtues naturally arise from devotion, they are not the prerequisite. Good conduct and virtues are like a dietary regimen (pathya) that supports the medicine (devotion) for curing the illness of the cycle of birth and death. Even without strict adherence to virtues, devotion can cure the ailment, and devotion itself can eliminate vices and foster virtues.

The Ninefold Path of Devotion (Navdha Bhakti): The book details the nine types of devotion as described in scriptures, particularly the Bhagavad Purana, which are:

1. Shravan (Hearing):

   • Description: Listening with faith and love to the nectar-like stories of God's names, forms, qualities, glories, pastimes, essence, and secrets, as narrated by devotees. This hearing should lead to being absorbed in divine love, akin to a deer captivated by music.
   • Method: Seeking the company of great souls (Mahapurushas), bowing to them, serving them, asking sincere questions, and trying to follow their guidance. In the absence of direct contact, studying scriptures written by great souls is also considered beneficial.
   • Significance: Satsang (company of the virtuous) is crucial for Shravan Bhakti, as it protects from worldly temptations and leads to spiritual advancement. Even great souls are inaccessible without the grace of God and His devotees.

2. Kirtan (Chanting/Singing Praises):

   • Description: Chanting God's names, forms, qualities, glories, pastimes, essence, and secrets with faith and love, experiencing physical manifestations of divine love like goosebumps, choked throat, tears, and joy. This includes singing in solitude or in groups, understanding God as present, and praising God through hymns and songs.
   • Method: Reciting names in a whisper or loudly, standing or sitting, with or without dance, praising God through divine hymns and verses. These actions should be performed without hypocrisy and with pure devotion, avoiding ten offenses against the holy name.
   • Significance: Kirtan is highly pleasing to God. Its propagation is a very dear act. It purifies from all sins, even grave ones like killing a Brahmin or a cow. It can destroy ignorance and attachment and lead to the highest spiritual state.

3. Smaran (Remembrance):

   • Description: Remembering God's names, forms, qualities, glories, pastimes, essence, and secrets through contemplation and internalization of what has been heard or read. This remembrance should lead to being absorbed in God's form, forgetting the self, as Dhruva did.
   • Method: Meditating in a quiet, pure place, withdrawing the senses from worldly objects, abandoning desires and thoughts, and contemplating God's form, name, and activities with a serene and detached mind. This can be done while moving, eating, or sleeping.
   • Significance: Constant remembrance, even unintentional, leads to purification and the fulfillment of desires, including God-realization. It helps overcome all obstacles and attain the supreme being.

4. Padasevan (Serving the Feet):

   • Description: Meditating on and worshiping the lotus feet of God, which are adorned with symbols like vajra, ankusha, flag, and lotus. The effulgence of His feet is said to dispel the darkness of the heart. It also involves cherishing the holy water from His feet (charanodak) and the dust from His lotus feet (charan raj).
   • Method: Seeing, contemplating, worshiping, and serving God's feet in various forms: in idols, pictures, or mental visualizations. This includes taking charanodak, applying charan raj to the head, and treating anything touched by His feet as sacred. Visiting holy places associated with God's footsteps is also part of this devotion.
   • Significance: This devotion aims to destroy ego, attachment, and pride, fostering unwavering love for God's feet. It offers liberation from worldly suffering and provides the highest peace.

5. Archan (Worship):

   • Description: Worshipping God with faith using external materials (flowers, leaves, sandalwood) or through mental offerings, or by seeing God present in all beings and treating them with respect and service. This includes understanding God's essence, secrets, and glories.
   • Method: Offering worship with physical items to the deity's image or mentally offering various services. It also involves serving all beings, seeing them as manifestations of God, and performing actions according to one's dharma.
   • Significance: Worship, whether ritualistic or through service to all beings, is the root of all blessings, including heaven and liberation. God accepts even simple offerings made with love.

6. Vandan (Salutation/Surrender):

   • Description: Bowing down to God's form, name, or the deity in idols, pictures, or mental images, with faith, or by surrendering to all beings as the manifestation of God, with faith and humility.
   • Method: Prostrating oneself before the deity in temples or at home, respecting God's name, feet, and holy scriptures. It also involves bowing to all living beings, recognizing the divine within them.
   • Significance: A single act of prostration to God can be equivalent to numerous sacrifices. It purifies from all sins and bestows liberation. The surrendered devotee is filled with divine love and experiences bliss.

7. Dasya (Servitude):

   • Description: Serving God with faith and love, understanding His glories, essence, secrets, and might, and obeying His commands. This includes serving the deity in temples, performing duties as instructed by God's commands (scriptures), and acting in accordance with God's will.
   • Method: Performing all actions as a servant of God, surrendering one's will and ego. Even if unable to practice other forms of devotion, dedicating oneself to God's service leads to attainment.
   • Significance: This devotion leads to an unwavering commitment to God's service and the desire to remain in His presence. It ensures liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Examples include Lakshmana, Hanuman, Angada, Vibhishana.

8. Sakhya (Friendship):

   • Description: Developing a feeling of friendship with God, based on understanding His glory, essence, secrets, and greatness. This involves unwavering trust, loving Him supremely, and being constantly delighted by His qualities, form, and pastimes.
   • Method: Prioritizing God's work over one's own, making efforts for His pleasure, being content with His actions, and considering one's possessions and even one's self as belonging to the beloved friend. This includes constant desire for His company and being engrossed in love through His darshan, speech, contemplation, and touch.
   • Significance: This devotion leads to a profound bond of love, where the devotee and God become inseparable. It brings immense joy and peace. Examples include Uddhava, Arjuna, Sudama, and the Gopis.

9. Atmanivedan (Self-Surrender):

   • Description: Understanding God's essence, secrets, glory, and greatness, and surrendering oneself completely—body, mind, wealth, and all actions—to God with faith and supreme love, without ego or possessiveness.
   • Method: Accepting all circumstances (gain/loss, victory/defeat, honor/dishonor, pleasure/pain) as God's will and remaining happy. Letting go of attachment to body, mind, wealth, wife, and children. Acting as an instrument in God's hands, surrendering all desires and comforts. Having no independent wish apart from God's will, and always remaining fearless in God's trust.
   • Significance: This is the ultimate form of devotion, leading to the complete destruction of all shortcomings, sins, and sufferings. It awakens all other forms of devotion and brings unparalleled joy and peace. God Himself becomes bound by the devotee's love. This path leads to liberation from Maya (illusion) and the attainment of the highest spiritual state.

Conclusion: The book concludes by reiterating that all paths to God (karma, yoga, knowledge) are noble, but devotion is highly praised in scriptures. Even one type of Navdha Bhakti leads to liberation, and practicing all nine fosters even greater spiritual growth. Devotees who focus their minds on God are truly blessed, and the families that produce such devotees are also fortunate. The book emphasizes that devotion is superior to all other practices like Vedas, penance, charity, and sacrifices, and it is the only way to truly know, see, and attain God. The ultimate aim is to live a life dedicated to God's love and service, making one's life and birth successful.