Sutra 62

The Narada Bhakti Sutra 62:

न तत्सिद्धौ लोकव्यवहारो हेयः। किन्तु फलत्यागः तत्साधनं च कार्यमेव॥ ६२॥

"Till such a consummate love is not gained (ततसिद्धौ) or on attaining the consummate love (तत्त्-सिद्धौ) worldly activities are not to be abandoned. But certainly we must diligently pursue love and learn to renounce our anxiety to enjoy the fruit of our activities."

Sage Nārada, understanding the many difficulties which can come to the devotee, now explains the right attitude the bhakta must pursue in order to overcome further doubts and obstacles on his path.

For attaining Pure Love for God a God-dedicated cheerful life of selfless activities should be the sādhanā that is to be diligently pursued. Detect the ego whenever it rises, surrender it unto the Lord. Renounce all anxieties for the fruits of action. Act sincerely with all your heart, from wherever He has placed you with a serene mind and in complete dedication.

This Sutra emphasizes the importance of continuing one's worldly responsibilities and duties even after attaining a state of Devotion or bhakti. It suggests that the path of Devotion does not require renunciation of the world, but rather, a renunciation of the fruits of one's actions. By performing duties selflessly and without attachment to outcomes, one can cultivate a deeper sense of Devotion. This approach aligns with the concept of karma yoga, where actions are done as an offering to the Divine, without egoistic desires for personal gain.

The Sutra also implies that worldly activities, when performed with the right attitude, can become a means to further one's Devotion. This is a significant point because it integrates spiritual practice with everyday life, making Devotion accessible to everyone, regardless of their stage in life or societal role. It encourages individuals to find spirituality in the mundane and to see every action as an opportunity to express and develop their Devotion.

If he is regular in his sādhanā and very noble in his behaviour, the very dedicated way he is living his life will become a living inspiration for others around him who may not understand all the implications of the deep and ponderous declarations in the scriptures. The scintillating life of perfection of the teacher conveys to all, the dynamism in the pure spiritual existence in the Divine God-dedicated activities.

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

From the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 3, Verse 9):

यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः।

तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर॥

"Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way, you will always remain unattached and free from bondage."

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita echoes the sentiment of the Narada Bhakti Sutra, highlighting the importance of performing duties as a form of sacrifice to the Divine, without attachment to the results.

From the Isha Upanishad (Verse 1):

ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत्।

तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम्॥

"Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong."

The Isha Upanishad advises living a life of simplicity and non-attachment, recognizing that everything belongs to the Divine. It teaches that one should take only what is necessary and not covet possessions, which aligns with the principle of non-attachment found in the Narada Bhakti Sutra.

These verses from different texts collectively emphasize the significance of performing one's duties with a sense of detachment from the results and an attitude of offering to the Divine, which is a central theme in the path of Devotion or bhakti. They provide a broader context to the teachings of the Narada Bhakti Sutra, showing a consistent message across various Vedic scriptures.