Bhakti (Devotion)

What is Bhakti:
 
In Ram Charitra Manas, Sri Ram has explained to all Ajodhya citizens about Bhakti as under:
 

• Bhakti (Devotion) is independent and a mine of all blessings;
• Person, however, cannot attain it except through the fellowship of saints.
• Saints are inaccessible without a stock of merits;
• Communion with the Lord’s devotees brings to an end the cycle of births and deaths.
• Person who has no enmity or quarrel with anyone and is devoid of hope and fear-to such a man all the quarters are ever full of joy.
• Person who Undertake nothing (with an interested motive), and is without home (attachment), without pride ,without sin, free from wrath, clever and wise,
• Person who loves the company of saints and accounting the enjoyments even of heaven as well as final beatitude as no more than a blade of grass, tenaciously adhering to the cult of Devotion but avoiding bigotry, and giving up all sophistical reasoning.
• Person listen katha (stories) Sri Hari in the company of saints only. Moh (infatuation) is removed by listening Sri Hari katha. Only after removal of Moh, he gets deep rooted affection in feet of Sri Ram.

 
Bhakti v/s Gyan:
 
Sri Ram ji further explained to Laxman ji near Godavari river in Parnkuti on Bhakti as under
 

• Bhakti (Devotion) requires no other aid whereas Gyan depends on Bhakti. Bhakti is easy way to find God. Person who has excessive devotion in “Brahm (ultimate reality, Sat Chit Anand) and perform his duties as per vedas, develop Vairagia and Bhakti.

 

• One should be extremely devoted to the lotus feet of saints and should be persistent in the practice of adoration through mind, speech and action. He should recognize Sri Ram (me) as his preceptor, father, mother, kinsman, lord, deity and all and should be steadfast in my service. A thrill runs through his body as he sings my praises; his voice gets choked and his eyes flow with tears; he is free from lust and other vices, pride and hypocrisy. I am ever at the back and call of such a devotee. I reside in the hearts of such persons who depends on me in thought, word and deeds and worship me without aspiring results.

 
Importance of Bhakti:
 
In Balkand, importance of Bhakti is well explained as under:
 

• Reverence of Sri Ram brings all successes within easy reach and confers happiness & auspiciousness. 
• Sri Hari is present everywhere alike and revealed only by love.
• Chanting of name of Sita Ram uproots all the evils and all the four ends of human existence are brought within one’s grasp (four ends viz. अर्थ, धर्म, काम मोक्ष i.e. finance, righteousness & duties, concupiscence & deeds and salvation & beatitude resp.)

 
References:
Ram Charitra Manas written by Tulsidas:
 

1. What is Bhakti:

उत्तरकांड, 44 वे दोहे के बाद, 3 चौपाई - भक्ति सुतंत्र सकल सुख खानी। बिनु सतसंग न पावहिं प्रानी।। पुन्य पुंज बिनु मिलहिं न संता। सतसंगति संसृति कर अंता।।
उत्तरकांड, 45 वे दोहे के बाद, 3 से 4 चौपाईया मे  - बैर न बिग्रह आस न त्रासा। सुखमय ताहि सदा सब आसा।। अनारंभ अनिकेत अमानी। अनघ अरोष दच्छ बिग्यानी। प्रीति सदा सज्जन संसर्गा। तृन सम बिषय स्वर्ग अपबर्गा।।
भगति पच्छ हठ नहिं सठताई। दुष्ट तर्क सब दूरि बहाई।।
 
उत्तरकांड, 61 वा दोहा - बिनु सतसंग न हरि कथा तेहि बिनु मोह न भाग। मोह गएँ बिनु राम पद होइ न दृढ़ अनुराग।।

1. Bhakti v/s Gyan:
2. , 15 वे दोहे के बाद, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6चौपाईया मे, 16 वा दोहा - सो सुतंत्र अवलंब न आना। तेहि आधीन ग्यान बिग्याना।। भगति तात अनुपम सुखमूला। मिलइ जो संत होइँ अनुकूला।। भगति कि साधन कहउँ बखानी। सुगम पंथ मोहि पावहिं प्रानी।। प्रथमहिं बिप्र चरन अति प्रीती। निज निज कर्म निरत श्रुति रीती।। संत चरन पंकज अति प्रेमा। मन क्रम बचन भजन दृढ़ नेमा।। गुरु पितु मातु बंधु पति देवा। सब मोहि कहँ जाने दृढ़ सेवा।। मम गुन गावत पुलक सरीरा। गदगद गिरा नयन बह नीरा।। काम आदि मद दंभ न जाकें। तात निरंतर बस मैं ताकें।। दो0-बचन कर्म मन मोरि गति भजनु करहिं निःकाम।। तिन्ह के हृदय कमल महुँ करउँ सदा बिश्राम।।16।।

 

1. Importance of Bhakti:
2. , 110 वे दोहा के बाद, 2 चौपाई - बंदउँ बालरूप सोई रामू। सब सिधि सुलभ जपत जिसु नामू।। मंगल भवन अमंगल हारी। द्रवउ सो दसरथ अजिर बिहारी।

 

• , 184 वे दोहा के बाद, 3 चौपाई - हरि ब्यापक सर्बत्र समाना। प्रेम तें प्रगट होहिं मैं जाना।।
• , 314 वे दोहा के बाद, 1 चौपाई –जिन्ह कर नामु लेत जग माहीं। सकल अमंगल मूल नसाहीं।। करतल होहिं पदारथ चारी। तेइ सिय रामु कहेउ कामारी।।