Caturtha-yama Sadhana
Midday Bhajana
Under the pretext of preaching, simply to increase one’s number of followers, one must not initiate unskilled disciples. It is written in Srimad Bhagavatam (7.13.8):
na sisyan anubadhnita
granthan naivabhyased bahun
na vyakhyam upayunjita
narambhan arabhet kvacit
A sannyasi does not have to offer material enticements to get many disciples, nor does he have to unnecessarily read many books or give lectures to earn a living. He must never try to increase material wealth without the need for it.
Those who have a taste for the holy name do not want such things.
Uninterrupted pure devotional service is recommended in Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.14):
tasmad ekena manasa
bhagavan satvatam patih
srotavyah kirtitavyas ca
dhyeyah pujyas ca nityada
With the focus on the Supreme Lord protecting His devotees, one must constantly hear talks about Him, glorify Him, remember Him, and worship Him.
With fixed attention, engage in listening and chanting of Krishna’s name, form and attributes, and at the same time try to destroy your anarthas. Then the plant of devotion will quickly bear fruit.
According to the Padma Purana, one should not feel troubled by the scarcity or loss of the objects of desire:
alabdhe va vinaste va
bhaksyacchadana-sadhane
aviklava-matir bhutva
harim eva dhiya smaret
The mind of those who have taken refuge in the holy name is not disturbed even if they find it difficult to obtain food and clothing, or if they have had them and then lost them. Leaving all material attachments behind, he takes complete refuge in Govinda.
The procedure for getting rid of pain is explained in the Padma Purana:
sokamarsadibhir bhavair
akrantam yasya manasam
katham tasya mukundasya
sphurttih sambhavana bhavet
It is impossible for Krishna to manifest in the heart of someone who is filled with anger, pride, or who complains about the state of his wife or children.
Only what is necessary for the devotional life should be accepted, as stated in the Naradiya Purana:
yavata syat sva-nirvahah
svikuryat tavad arthavit
adhikye nyunatayanca
cyavate paramarthatah
If the devotee accepts the things necessary for the maintenance of his life, this does not mean that he is devoted to sense gratification. The devotee accepts neither too much nor too little, as this could hinder his progress in the direction of the intended end.
The symptoms of the development of pure devotion are given by Srimad Bhagavatam (11.2.42):
bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir
anyatra caisa trika eka-kalah
prapadyamanasya yathasnatah syus
tustih pustih ksud-apayo ‘nu-ghasam
Devotion, direct experience of the Supreme Lord and detachment from that which is not His concern – for one who has taken refuge in the Supreme Personality of God, these three things happen simultaneously, as for a person who eats for pleasure, food and hunger, relief increases simultaneously with each bite.
This is a section of the book “Bhajana Rahasya”, by Bhaktivinode Thakura.
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