Sutra 18

The Narada Bhakti Sutra, Sutra 18

आत्मरत्यविरोधेनेति शाण्डिल्यः॥ १८॥

"Bhakti is intense love for God. It is the nectar of love getting which a man becomes perfect, immortal, and satisfied forever. It destroys all grief, sin, and ignorance."

In this Sutra, attributed to the Sage Shandilya, another famous exponent of Love Divine, the heart’s Devotion and surrender to the Lord, which is not contrary to the experience of a steady awareness of the Bliss and Peace of the Self within (Constant Remembrance), alone constitute true Love Divine. Steady contemplation upon Śrī Nārāyaṇa or Śrī Parameśvara, or in any such Divine concept, if it helps us in recognising in them the Nature of the inner Self (Ᾱtman) only then are all such actions bhakti.

It emphasizes that Devotion (bhakti) to the Divine is not just an act of worship but an intense love that is akin to the nectar of immortality. It suggests that through such love, one can achieve perfection and eternal contentment. The Sutra also implies that this love is powerful enough to eradicate all forms of suffering, sin, and ignorance, leading to a State of enlightenment.

The concept of bhakti as a path to spiritual fulfillment is central to many Hindu texts. It is often described as a transformative force that connects the individual soul (atman) with the Supreme soul (Brahman). This connection is not seen as contradictory to the pursuit of Self-Realization (atmarati), but rather as a complementary path that leads to the same Ultimate Truth.

On the whole the definition suggests that all dedicated acts of love, when they generate Devotion and drive the loving mind towards the Lord of love, are effective practices of bhakti. Love alone is the path and by love alone can we reach love. ‘Of all the implements that can be employed for the Liberation of one’s personality, Devotion alone is the most effective,’ so declares Ᾱcārya Śaṅkara also in his Vivekacūḍāmaṇi.

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

Isha Upanishad, Verse 1

यस्मिन्निदं विश्वं भवत्येकनीडम्

"In whom the whole world exists, like a bird in its nest, is that immortal, that is to be sought after, that is to be Realized."

Bhagavad Gita 9.22

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते

"To those who are constantly devoted and who worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me."

Taittiriya Upanishad 1

सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं ब्रह्म

"Truth, Knowledge, Infinity is Brahman."

These verses, like Narada Bhakti Sutra 18, highlight the importance of Realizing the Divine presence within and around us. They speak of a Universal Spirit that pervades everything, the significance of unwavering Devotion, and the Ultimate Reality characterized by Truth, Consciousness, and Infinity. Each verse, in its own way, points to the path of spiritual enlightenment through the Realization of the Divine essence that is inherent in all beings.