Sutra 40

The Narada Bhakti Sutra 40:

लभ्यतेऽपि तत्कृपयैव॥ ४०॥

"It is attained only by His Grace."

This Sutra emphasizes the importance of Divine Grace in the path of Devotion. The concept here is that no matter how much effort a devotee puts into their spiritual practices, the ultimate attainment of Divine love or Realization comes not merely through human effort but through the Grace of the Divine. It suggests a surrender to the Divine will, acknowledging that the highest truths are beyond the grasp of the intellect and can only be received as a gift.

The Sutra implies a relationship of love and Grace between the devotee and the Divine. It is not a transactional relationship where practices are performed with the expectation of a reward. Instead, it is an acknowledgment that the Divine is the source of all and any spiritual progress is due to its benevolence. This perspective fosters humility and trust in the divine, which are essential qualities on the path of Devotion.

The Sutra also serves as a reminder that while spiritual disciplines are important, they should not become a source of ego or self-righteousness. The ultimate goal of these practices is to purify the heart and prepare oneself to receive Divine Grace. It is this Grace that transforms the individual, leading them to the ultimate state of bhakti, or divine love.

Kaṭhopaniṣad says: 

‘He who chooses Him, to him alone He reveals.’

Śaṅkara in Vivekacūḍāmaṇi says: 

‘Manliness, aspiration for spiritual unfoldment and the loving protection of a wise man are only caused by the blessings of the Lord.’ 

It is a Divine power that makes the aspirant restless and drives him in search of a Guru; and again it is the same Divine power that makes the saint generally more restless to rush forth to serve the world and help others for Realization. When the time is ripe, the Lord in a mysterious way brings about first the communication and ultimately the communion between the teacher and the taught.

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

Isha Upanishad:

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."

Bhagavad Gita 9.27:

यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् |

यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् ||

   

"Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give away, whatever austerities you perform, do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me."

Bhagavad Gita 18.66:

सर्वधर्मान् परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |

अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ||

"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."

These verses, like Narada Bhakti Sutra 40, highlight the importance of surrendering to the Divine and acting with the Consciousness of serving the Divine. They all convey the message that Ultimate Realization comes from the Divine and not solely through one's efforts.