Sutra 05

The Narada Bhakti Sutra, Sutra 05 

यत्प्राप्य न किञ्चिद्वाञ्छति। न शोचति। न द्वेष्टि। न रमते। नोत्साही भवति॥ ५॥

"On attaining That, one does not desire anything else; one grieves no more, one is free from hatred or jealousy; one does not take pleasure in the vanities of life; and one loses all eagerness to gain anything for oneself."

This Sutra speaks to the state of complete contentment and detachment that comes with the Realization of Divine Love or Bhakti. When one attains this state, material desires and sorrows cease to exist, and there is no longer any room for hatred or jealousy. The pleasures of the world become insignificant, and there is no longer a drive to achieve for one's own sake. This state is characterized by a profound Inner Peace and satisfaction that is not dependent on external circumstances.

When an individual gains the Supreme Joy of full devotion to the Lord, he comes to live in a sense of utter fulfilment, and he has therefore no more any desire for the things of the world. He has thereby, come to live and experience a new order of existence, and to him the objects, emotions and thoughts, which constitute the only fields of relaxation and entertainment for us, are of no avail. A great Master of devotion has exclaimed, ‘How can there be any attraction for the foul smelling ditch water of sensuality to one who is swimming in the ocean of Hari bhakti’. 

Thus, a true devotee has nothing to gain, not even the joys of heaven or even the thrills of Liberation. He has no fear of losing anything he has already got. In the arrival and departure of sense enjoyments he observes but the infinite play of the benevolent Lord. To a devotee who is enjoying in himself this steady Love Supreme, even the delay of his final experience is not a sorrow. Such a lover has only one desire – be he in heaven or hell his only demand is that his love for his Lord must ever increase. He cares for nothing else.

Now, let's compare this with three similar verses from Vedic texts:

Isha Upanishad (Verse 1)

ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् |

"Everything in this moving universe is enveloped by the Lord. One should enjoy with renunciation, not covet anyone's wealth."

Katha Upanishad (Verse 2.3.14)

यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते कामा येऽस्य हृदि श्रिताः |

"When all desires that dwell in the heart cease, the mortal becomes immortal and attains Brahman here."

Taittiriya Upanishad (Verse 2.1)

ब्रह्मविदाप्नोति परम् |

 

"The knower of Brahman attains the Highest."

These verses, like Narada Bhakti Sutra 05, emphasize the transcendence of material desires and the attainment of a Higher State of Being. They speak of a Reality where the Self is in union with the Divine, leading to liberation and Eternal Bliss. The common thread is the concept of renunciation and the Realization that true fulfillment comes not from the external, but from the understanding and experience of the Divine within.