Sutra 51

The Narada Bhakti Sutra 51:

अनिर्वचनीयं प्रेमस्वरुपम्॥ ५१॥

"The nature of Devotion is indescribable, indefinable."

The seeker who enters into these practices for cultivating bhakti, inevitably comes to face within himself a doubt as to whether he is really progressing or not. ‘Who will tell me’ he wonders, ‘If I am developing and growing; how am I to know what amount of bhakti has come to my heart?’

This Sutra speaks to the ineffable quality of Devotion or love for the Divine. It suggests that true devotion transcends the boundaries of language and conceptual understanding. It is a state of being that cannot be fully expressed through words or even through the mind's comprehension. This kind of love is beyond the grasp of the intellect and is experienced at a level that is much deeper than the mental or emotional. It is a profound, all-encompassing, and transformative experience that is felt at the core of one's being.

In the context of bhakti, or devotional service, this Sutra implies that the love between the devotee and the Divine is of such a pure and sublime nature that it goes beyond the conventional definitions of love. It is not based on any transactional relationship or conditional upon any attributes or actions. This love is absolute and unconditional, and it is said to be the highest form of love because it is selfless and seeks no return. It is a love that is complete in itself and does not depend on any external circumstances.

The Sutra also points to the mystical aspect of Devotion, which is often experienced as a sense of union or Oneness with the Divine. This union is so profound that it defies description and can only be known through direct experience. The devotee who reaches this state is often overwhelmed by the intensity and purity of this love, which is said to be the ultimate goal of all spiritual practices.

How can we know then, if our practices have brought us to this state of immaculate love? What are the signs to show us that our efforts, according to Sage Nārada’s direction will culminate in this consummation of perfect love and Realization? Sage Narada provides pointers to the above questions in the next few Sutras. 

For comparison, here are similar verses from Vedic texts:

Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1:

ब्रह्मविदाप्नोति परम्।

"The Knower of the Absolute attains the Supreme."

Bhagavad Gita 6.18:

यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते। निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा॥

"When the mind is restrained and rests in the Self alone, devoid of desire for all objects of desires, then it is said to be steady."

Katha Upanishad 1.3.3:

आत्मानं रथिनं विद्धि शरीरं रथमेव तु। बुद्धिं तु सारथिं विद्धि मनः प्रग्रहमेव च॥

"Know the Self as the rider, the body as the chariot, the intellect as the charioteer, and the mind as the reins."

These verses, like Narada Bhakti Sutra 51, point to the Ultimate Reality and the path to Realizing it. They emphasize Knowledge of the Self, control of the mind, and the transcendental nature of Supreme Love or Devotion. Each verse, in its own way, guides the seeker towards the Realization of the True Nature of existence and the experience of Oneness with the Divine.