Sutra 36

Narada Bhakti Sutra Verse 36:

अव्यावृतभजनात्॥३६॥

Continuing his enumerations of the means of developing love in the heart, Nārada says:

"Also through continuous, tender and loving service of the Lord.."

In the technique of discovering Supreme Devotion, having described the aspects to be avoided in one’s own nature, Nārada is now pointing out the positive things that the seeker must pursue and cultivate in himself diligently. Not only should we get ourselves detached from the finite worlds of sense objects and the ever changing world of relationships, but we must also turn our mind and fix it steadily upon the higher principle of Truth, God, through uninterrupted Devotion in our heart (Constant Remembrance ). When it pervades through our relationships in the world outside as hymns, it becomes true bhajana. Thus if love (bhakti) is the emotion,  bhajana is its expression.

Breaks in spiritual practices are not advisable; not only they destroy the effects of the past practices, but often they can cause some positive bad effects. Hence the necessity for ‘the uninterrupted bhajana’ (avyāvṛta bhajana) of Constant Remembrance. If bhakti is the emotional accompaniment, bhajana represents the joy-dance of activities in the life of the diligent devotee.

Avyāvṛta Bhajana (अव्यावृतभजना):

The term avyāvṛta implies continuous, uninterrupted, and unwavering. Bhajana refers to devotion or worship. Thus, avyāvṛta bhajana signifies unwavering and ceaseless, Constant  Remembrance of God.

Completion of Bhakti: 

According to Narada, true bhakti reaches its pinnacle when it becomes an unbroken flow of Constant Remembrance of God. It transcends occasional rituals or sporadic prayers. The devotee's heart perpetually resonates with love for the Divine, like an eternal chant.

Power of Ceaseless Chanting:

This Sutra emphasizes the transformative effect of continuous devotion. When a seeker engages in Constant Remembrance of the Divine, their Consciousness merges with the object of Devotion. Such unwavering love leads to spiritual fulfillment, immortality, and contentment.

Now, let's explore similar sentiments from other Vedic texts:

Bhagavad Gita (7.17):

 

 तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते।

  

"Among them, the wise one who is ever devoted and exclusively attached to Me excels."

Lord Krishna emphasizes exclusive Devotion to the Supreme as the highest form of bhakti. 

Bhagavata Purana (11.14.20):

 

यो मां नामसहस्रेण स्तोतुं वृत्तः पुमान् विशेषेण।

"A person who chants My thousand names with Devotion stands out."

Devotional chanting of the Divine's names leads to spiritual elevation.

Yoga Vasistha (6.1.1):

 

भक्तिर्विशेषतः प्रोक्ता योगवासिष्ठपारगैः।

"Bhakti, especially praised by the sages in Yoga Vasistha."

 

Sage Vasistha extols bhakti as the Supreme path to Realization.