Science & Psychology of Bhakti (Divine Love)

Science & Psychology of Bhakti (Divine Love)
The term Bhakti comes from Bhaj which means to revere, to share, to partake, to worship and to be attached to God. Bhakti is not precisely love or devotion. Love and devotion spring from explicit or hidden selfish gain whereas Bhakti is a subtle experience from pure and selfless devotion towards deity. In bhakti, power of emotions is elevated to the level of divine devotion. Bhakti elevates. Bhakti transforms. Bhakti brings fulfilment. When bhakti sprouts, one does not need of any other thing. Tears of ecstasy flows out, when merged with the almighty.

Question arises why one should do Bhakti without gain in this material world. The question has been addressed in various scriptures of Hinduism. Selfishness, if not accomplished, develops kama, krodha, etc. the negative aspects of feelings. But in selfless love one gradually develops positive aspects such as gratitude, satisfaction, generosity etc. which are attributes of Atman. These bring peace and bliss. Bhakta completely surrenders to the extent of losing his identity through selfless love. Zenith of bhakti is advait (अद्वैत, non-duality), when bhakt and Bhagwan become one as Gopi and Krishna.
By listening and repeating stories of almighty, Bhakti grows and attachment with almighty increases. When bhakti becomes addiction, moksha is easy.

Gopis were spiritual preceptors of Bhakti. Their sight was steady on the entire form of Shri Krishna and enjoyed the bliss. They have been immersed in the playful activities of Balkrishna and oblivious of other things. While performing their duties, their mind was constantly engrossed in Balkrishna. This is height of Bhakti. Sri Shankaracharya said, “Immerse in any form of deity with full devotion; perform all worldly duties keeping almighty in manas and for the almighty; if devotion is done all through our actions, speech and thought, shri Krishna (or any other form of almighty) enters in life; believe all other forms part of that form”.

Tukaram says, Bhakt (devotee) is one who never vibhakt (separated) from almighty. Eknath, Tukaram, Narsingh etc. were householders. Celibacy and name of almighty can help in crossing this world as Hanuman ji crossed ocean.
Gyani may be tormented by abhiman (false pride). Bhakti (divine love) brings several attributes. Bhakt becomes polite, courteous. As patience and virtues increases, bhakti ripens. Without detachment, bhakti does not succeed. Good conduct and thoughts nourish bhakti. Luxuries destroy Bhakti. Bhakt feels difficult to endure separation of almighty.

Without Vairagya (dispassion), persistence does not come. When Gyan, Vairagya and Bhakti are perfected, the person becomes divine. By thinking whether he has made preparations for welcoming death, vairagya sprouts. By thinking about miseries of birth, death and diseases, vairagya arises. 
Bhakti is in core of all paths of liberation whether Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga or Gyan Yoga. It is common to all paths. All paths of liberation except bhakti require efforts and discipline. Bhakti starts with joy and love. Hence the path starts with fruits. 

Psychology of Bhakti

1. Dual state - As long as one is body conscious, he is bhakta.
2. Partially dual - When one is not body conscious, he is part of almighty.
3. Non-dual -When one is atman, he is almighty himself.

 
Characteristics of Bhakti

1. When whole of the manas (मन) melts away and entire mind & chit-vrittis (tendencies) moves towards almighty spontaneously.
2. When the eyes are shut from worldly affairs and see glowing idol of the almighty (Shri Krishna) in heart.

 
Obstacles of Bhakti
In this world, manas (मन) keep roaming. As soon as one sees beauty in world or body, sin starts. Attachments to sensual pleasures are of manas (मन). Meditating the sensual pleasures makes the manas impure. Abandoning such thoughts of sensual pleasure, purify the manas.

It should be arrested by intelligence. Until manas (मन) is not curbed, bhakti is not gained.  Manas (मन) impurities are of two types viz. gross and subtle. Gross impurities can be removed by tapa (religious austerities), vrata (vows), Anshan (fasting) etc. But subtle impurities are removed by intense bhakti (divine love). Servitude melts the manas (मन).

Vasnas (longings) are biggest hindrance in spiritual progression. When there is no vasna in mind, bhakti will sprout. Without vairagya (detachment), bhakti weeps. Desires are hindrance. With increase in patience and good conduct, bliss increases in bhakti. Wise person remembers almighty every moment. Thinking about beauty of almighty starts bhakti. When manas becomes steady in almighty, it is peaceful. After liberation of manas, jivatma enjoys freedom.
 
Science to cultivate Bhakti

1. Sattvika mind - If all pollution enters in the mind through five inlets, pure and sattvic mind would not be possible which is so essential for sprouting seed of bhakti. Hence, Satsang is essential. Satsang does not mean going to Katha. Satsang essentially means remaining in company of true & holy persons, Holy Scriptures and with truth which is Sat-chit-Ananda (i.e. almighty).

 
Tulsidas ji in Shree Ramcharitramanas has lucidly explained importance of satsang in Bahkti:
 

• भक्ति सुतंत्र सकल सुख खानी। बिनु सतसंग न पावहिं प्रानी।। पुन्य पुंज बिनु मिलहिं न संता। सतसंगति संसृति कर अंता।। (उत्तरकांड, 44 वे दोहे के बाद, 3 चौपाई)”

Means: - Devotion is free and is a mine of all pleasures, but without Satsang (with saints), human Being cannot find it and without virtuous deeds, saints are not found. Satsang ends the cycle of birth and death.

1. Humble mind & low profile - “I” is almighty. If one keeps ego, bhakti can’t cultivate. Ego brings “mine-ness”. Hence, one should conceptually be clear that there is only “I” i.e. almighty. Entire world is play of almighty. All powers whether intelligence, money, fame etc. are by his grace and can be withdrawn at his will.
2. Surrender – Surrender of all actions and tasks to the almighty.

 

1. Purity - Bhakti requires purification of manas (मन) and emotions. Love necessitates purity. Love is pure and impure can’t be love. Pure & intense love proceeds towards almighty.
2. Meditation - Meditating on & talking about the attributes of almighty which reflect par excellence in his nature, grace of Bhagwan comes.
3. Pray intensely to almighty - Simply doing puja or chanting mantra or names of almighty is not enough. One needs to connect and develop direct relationship. Develop identity with almighty.
4. Seva - Impartial service brings love for humanity. This is pure love.

 
Types of Bhakti

1. Sattvika Bhakti – Sattvika bhakti is done to attain the almighty. It originates from intellect or Buddhi. When the person doing sattvika bhakti desires Moksha, it is Sagun bhakti. When he loses all the desires of fruit, it becomes Nirgun or Nishkam bhakti. It is pure love for the almighty.

 
The real worship is living holy life, total surrender, offering of oneself, one’s possessions, and one’s actions and even the sense of agency to Him and unwavering faith and devotion (अनन्य भक्ति) and service to living beings. Such Attitude of devotion (bhakti) is born out of knowledge (Jnana) of one’s relationship with the divine. Jnana supports Bhakti and bhakti deepens Jnana.
 
Shri Krishna in Shrimad Bhagavad Gita has mentioned this in chapter 9 as under:

• सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां यतन्तश्च दृढव्रताः । नमस्यन्तश्च मां भक्त्या नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ॥ ९-१४॥“

Means: - Bhakta with firm conviction, chant my name constantly & glories and striving for My realization, and bowing again and again to Me, those devotees of firm resolve, ever united with me through meditation, worship Me with single-minded devotion.
 

1. Rajasika Bhakti – Rajasika bhakti is done to attain worldly comforts.
2. Tamsika Bhakti – Tamsika bhakti is done for attaining special powers (siddhis).
3. Sakamya Bhakti or Gauna Bhakti or secondary devotion – devotion with desire for material gains.
4. Ragatmika Bhakti or Mukhya or primary Bhakti or Nishkamya Bhakti or Avyabhicharini Bhakti or Ananya Bhakti – devotion without desire for material gains, will purify heart and divine grace will descend on bhakta.