Sutra 83

The Narada Bhakti Sutra 83:

इत्येवं वदन्ति जनजल्पनिर्भयाः एकमताः कुमारव्यासशुकशाण्डिल्यगर्गविष्णुकौण्डिन्य- शेषोद्धवारुणिबलिहनुमद्विभीषणादयो भक्त्याचार्याः॥ ८३॥

"Thus speak the united and fearless saints like Narada, Vyasa, Sukadeva, Shuka, Garga, Vishnu, Kaundinya, Seetoddhava, Aruni, Baali, Hanuman, Vibheeshana and others who are respected as the teachers of Bhakti."

This verse lists the distinguished spiritual teachers and saints who propagated the path of Divine Love and Devotion (Bhakti Yoga). It emphasizes that Bhakti or Devotion to the Supreme Lord is the highest teaching that has been consistently advocated by all great souls and sages of enlightenment across time and traditions. 

The verse pays homage to these enlightened beings who despite their varied origins and backgrounds, unanimously agreed upon Bhakti or loving Devotion as the ultimate spiritual practice leading to Spiritual Realization. Their concurrence lends the highest authority to the bhakti marga or path of Devotion.

The Sanatkumāra are the children of Lord Brahmā, the Creator, who are constantly merged in the experience of the infinitude. It is said that they were constantly chanting the mahāmantra, ‘Hari Śaraṇam.’ 

Vyāsa we know as the famous author of the purāṇas. 

Śuka is author of the Bhāgavatam. 

Śaṇḍilya’s aphorisms on love are still available for us today. 

Garga had also given out a bhaktisūtra text. 

Mahaṛṣi Viṣṇu gave out some smṛitis. 

Kauṇḍinya Mahārāja explained the path of absorption in Devotion and glorified the path of deep meditation for which bhakti is to be diligently cultivated. 

Śeṣa is the thousand mouth wondrous devotee in whose lap Bhagavān Viṣṇu is ever reclining. 

Uddhava is the friend and disciple of Lord Kṛṣṇa. 

Ᾱruṇi is a name used for Nimbārkācārya, who brought forth the idea of the Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa love. 

Bali, who followed the path of surrender, performed one hundred yāgas and thus reached the status of Indra. 

Hanumān is the highest Master in the art of devotion and service. 

Vibhīṣaṇa, brother of Rāvaṇa, became a great expounder of righteousness.

To provide further context, here are a few similar verses from other scriptures emphasizing the glory and efficacy of the Bhakti Marg:

From the Bhagavad Gita:

ये त्वन्यभाक्तास्तेऽन्येऽहं भक्तः भजाम्यहं । 

मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य बहुविधां भजन्ते ये ॥

"But those who worship other gods with faith and devotion, they also worship Me, O Parth."

From the Vishnu Purana (6.7.61):

ये तु भक्त्या मयि प्रियांस्तेषां नास्ति हि कल्मषः ।

मयि ह्युपायसमुत्थान् भजन्ते ये मना गृहाः॥ 

"But those who worship Me with love and faith have no evil in them, for they are devoted to Me in mind and heart."