Sutra 11

The Narada Bhakti Sutra, Sutra 11

लोकवेदेषु तदनुकूलाचरणं तद्विरोधिषूदासीनता॥ ११॥

"In worldly duties and Vedic rituals, act in ways that are favorable to Devotion; remain indifferent (udaseen) to those that are opposed to it."

Udaseenta is indifference to sensual enjoyments and sensual objects that are enemies of God. You must cherish perfect indifference to these objects. You must destroy ruthlessly Moha for these objects and develop the state of Nirabhimanata (without 'mine-ness'). Moha is infatuated love towards body, children, father, mother, husband and wife. Attachment to the body is deep-rooted. You must not think of the body and its wants too much. Thoughts of body, thoughts of food, thoughts of husband, wife and children make you forget God. You cannot have thoughts of God if you have thoughts of Anatma things (non-sentient objects). There is Supreme Joy and Bliss in Udaseenta. You will find in the Mundaka Upanishad: “Two birds, inseparable companions, dwell upon one and the same tree. One of them eats the sweet fruit; the other looks on without eating. On the same tree, the Jiva immersed in worldliness and bewildered grieves on account of helplessness. But when he sees the other, the Lord, who is adored by all, and His glory, then his grief passes away. ” Here one bird is the Jiva, the other bird is the Lord. The tree is this body. 

Udaseenta destroys all sorts of attachments and desires. Attachment is death. Udaseenta is eternal life. Lord Krishna says: “An Udaseena (indifferent man) is dear to Me. ” (Gita: XII-16. )

The Sutra implicitly acknowledges the potential conflict between societal expectations and personal spiritual aspirations. It encourages individuals to discern and prioritize actions that enhance their spiritual growth over those that do not. This selective engagement is not a call for Renunciation of the world but rather a strategic approach to living in the world while fostering a deep connection with the Divine.

Such acts of a devotee cannot be classified as disobedience because there is no such intention in his heart. Thus Prahlāda rejected the strict commands of his father Hiraṇyakaśipu. Vibhiṣaṇa discarded his brother Rāvaṇa. Bharata sacrificed his mother. The gopīs of Vrindavan ignored the various objections of their husbands. Yet none of them have been accused in the world for any of their bhakti-prompted trespasses. In fact they had grown to be, in their very disobedience and rejection, lighthouses guiding generations of men to a life of greater grandeur and nobler sacrifices at the altar of their Real Devotion.

The principle of aligning one's life with spiritual goals and remaining indifferent to distractions is echoed in various Vedic texts. Here are three verses from different texts that convey similar messages:

Bhagavad Gita (9.34):

मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु |

मामेवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवमात्मानं मत्परायणः || ९.३४ ||

"Engage your mind always in thinking of Me (Constant Remembrance), become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me."

Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6.23):

यस्य देवे परा भक्तिर्यथा देवे तथा गुरौ |

तस्यैते कथिता ह्यर्थाः प्रकाशन्ते महात्मनः ||

"To him who has Supreme Devotion to God and as much devotion to the Guru, all the Truths of the scriptures are revealed."

Isha Upanishad (1):

ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किंच जगत्यां जगत् |

तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ||

"Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong."

These verses, like Narada Bhakti Sutra 11, guide the seeker towards a life centered around Devotion and Spiritual Wisdom, highlighting the importance of prioritizing Divine connection over material pursuits.