Sutra 56

The Narada Bhakti Sutra 56:

(Now Sage Narada will discuss three lesser forms of Devotion, also called Secondary Devotion) 

गौणी त्रिधा। गुणभेदात् आर्तादिभेदाद्वा॥ ५६॥

"The secondary devotion is of three kinds - according to the difference in the mental disposition (of the devotee) or according to the type of discontentment (in the devotees)."

Though we may ardently wish to reach the highest, Sage Nārada insists that the devotee in the beginning must first practise the lower type of devotion. The lower bhakti falls under the three classifications according to the three guṇas (sattva, rajas and tamas) and their relative predominance in the inner personality of the devotees. Guṇas contribute to the qualities or the nature of the vāsanās inherent in the individuals. So long as vāsanās are in us one must act, one must hear, one must read, one must speak, think and feel. But ultimately a condition comes when every perception, speech, every feeling and thinking stops because the vāsanās have ended. The ‘highest devotion’ is possible only when the vāsanās are completely exhausted.

The next few Sutras discuss the nature of secondary or lesser forms of devotion, which are categorized based on the qualities or the mental state of the devotee. They are based on the gunas or qualities such as sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). Each quality influences the devotee's approach to devotion. Another categorization is based on the emotional state of the devotee, particularly the level of distress or discontentment they experience. This implies that the devotee's approach to devotion can be influenced by their immediate circumstances and emotional needs.

In the context of the Vedic texts, let's compare this with similar verses:

Bhagavad Gita (9.22):

 अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते।

 तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम्॥

   

"To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the assurance of getting what they lack and preserving what they have."

Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6.23):

यस्य देवे परा भक्तिर्यथा देवे तथा गुरौ।

तस्यैते कथिता ह्यर्थाः प्रकाशन्ते महात्मनः॥

   

"To the one who has Supreme Devotion to God and as much to the Guru, to such a great soul, all the truths of the scriptures are revealed."

Narada Parivrajaka Upanishad (5.6):

भक्तिरेव घरीयसी स्वस्वरूपानुसंधानं भक्तिरित्यभिधीयते॥

   

"Devotion is indeed Supreme; constant reflection upon one's own True Nature is said to be Devotion."

These verses emphasize the importance of Devotion in various forms, whether it's the unwavering Devotion to God and Guru as mentioned in the Shvetashvatara Upanishad, the assurance of Divine providence in the Bhagavad Gita, or the reflection upon one's True Nature as the highest form of Devotion in the Narada Parivrajaka Upanishad. They all highlight different aspects of bhakti or Devotion, which is central to the path of spiritual progress in Vedic philosophy.