Sutra 07

The Narada Bhakti Sutra, Sutra 07

सा न कामयमाना। निरोधरूपत्वात्॥ ७॥

"Since it is of the Nature of Renunciation there is no element of desire in Divine Love."

This Sutra emphasizes that True Devotion, or Bhakti, is not a product of desire or personal want. It is a state of Being that transcends the ego and its cravings, aligning the devotee with the Divine through a process of Renunciation. In this context, Renunciation does not necessarily mean abandoning worldly life but refers to a detachment from the fruits of one's actions and desires that bind one to the material world. It suggests that Bhakti is a Pure Love for the Divine that exists independently of any selfish motives or material expectations.

Love is its own fulfilment. To a devotee there is no desire, not even the desire for his own Liberation. Love justifies itself. His only desire is for the Love of his heart’s Beloved, the Lord. Love is a reward in itself. To love the Lord for the fulfilment of a desire is not true love; it is a desire prompted devotion (kāmanā-bhakti). Such commercialism in religion cannot bring about any sense of fulfilment to the seekers’ bosom. 

A true devotee never comes to demand anything from the Lord except more and more Love for Him, and that this Love in his heart should ever remain steady and grow in its dimension. In short, desire departs from the heart in which Devotion has entered. The very essence of Devotion lies in the spirit of Renunciation of all other infatuations and seekings. To a lover there is nothing more sacred than the Beloved; all his urges and demands in life are to acquire, possess, and enjoy his beloved. The individuality in such a devotee who has turned totally towards the Lord, comes to turn away more and more from the usual anxieties and efforts in earning, procuring, enjoying the material objects of the world, cheap emotions, and disturbing thoughts. He renounces them all in the name of the Lord, who alone is the one coveted possession for him to seek.

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

Isha Upanishad (Verse 1)

ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किंच जगत्यां जगत् |

तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ||

"Everything in this moving universe is enveloped by the Lord. Enjoy what He has given by renouncing it; do not covet anyone's wealth."

This verse conveys a similar message of Renunciation and detachment. It teaches that one should live in the world without attachment to possessions, recognizing that everything is pervaded by the divine.

Katha Upanishad (Verse 2.3.14)

यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते कामा येऽस्य हृदि श्रिताः |

अथ मर्त्योऽमृतो भवत्यत्र ब्रह्म समश्नुते ||

"When all desires that dwell in the heart are released, the mortal becomes immortal and attains Brahman in this body."

This verse also speaks to the concept of Renunciation of desires as a path to immortality and unity with the Divine, echoing the sentiment of the Narada Bhakti Sutra.

Bhakti-Rasamrita Sindhu

अनासक्तस्य विषयान् यथार्हमुपयुञ्जतः |

निर्बन्धः कृष्णसम्बन्धे युक्तं वैराग्यमुच्यते ||

"True Renunciation is using material things appropriately, without attachment, for the service of Krishna."

This verse from a later Vedic text expands on the idea of Renunciation, suggesting that it is not about giving up the world but engaging with it in a way that is not bound by personal attachment and is dedicated to the Divine.

These verses collectively highlight the Vedic perspective that spiritual Realization and true devotion are achieved not through the pursuit of material desires but through the Renunciation of such desires and attachment, leading to a State of Divine union and eternal Bliss.