There are two types of devotion - one is performed with the body (with the physical senses), and one is performed with the mind. But devotion performed solely with the body is not devotion at all. Only devotion done with the mind is true devotion. We have engaged in physical devotion for countless lifetimes and continue to make the same mistake even in this lifetime. This is because physical devotion requires no effort, as the mind remains attached to the world. People sing kirtan while holding and playing with a child.
At first, the world seems appealing - seeing, hearing, touching, and thinking about worldly relations feels good. Initially, God's name does not feel appealing. But once we cultivate love for God's names, we will not be able to leave it, even if we are offered the position of Brahma. But right now, our vehicle of devotion has not even started moving. However, once you push it a little and it starts moving, it will continue on its own.
We are being careless. Our spiritual guide has explained to us a thousand times that God only notes devotion performed with the mind. Devotional practices involving the physical senses have been created to assist the mind in contemplating God. However, you only perform physical devotion. You read the letters of the Gita, Bhagavatam, Ramayana, Guru Granth Sahib, and other scriptures, and mindlessly rush to the four holy pilgrimages, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, and other places.
After death, we will attain the one to whom our mind is attached.
yaṃ yama vāpi smaraṇbhāvaṃ ṭyājatyante kalevarama. taṃ tamevāīti kauṃṭeya sadā tadbhāvabhāvitaḥ -
Even the Paramahams Jad Bharat had to be reborn as a deer because he was attached to a fawn at the time of his death.
If this is the fate of a 'jeevanmukt' paramahams, then we have no standing. A 'jeevanmukt' is one whose mind has already died.
Therefore, firmly resolve that before taking the name of God or engaging in devotion even for a second, you will first visualize the form of God or Guru with your mind. God and Guru are pure. If you bring them into your mind, it will get purified. If you bring the world into your mind, it will become impure. This mind has become very dirty because of its attachment to the world, believing it to be the source of happiness for infinite lifetimes. So, it will not become clean in one go. Repeatedly bringing God and Guru to your mind will gradually wash away that impurity. And as soon as the mind becomes attached to God and Guru, it will naturally detach from the world. One day, when the mind becomes completely pure, the Guru will make it divine by his grace, using a divine power called 'swaroop shakti.' Then, we will attain God.
Hence, devotion done with the body is not devotion. Only devotion performed with the mind is true devotion. You do not need to utter even a single name of God to attain God-realization - simply deepen your yearning to meet Him. In other words, increase your love for God. And if you do not love God, then -
bahu janma kare yadi śravaṇa kīrtana, tabhū na pāya kṛṣṇa pade prema dhana -
Even if you chant God's name for infinite births, without love for God, you will not attain Him.
Devotion must be performed with the mind. The mind is the cause of both bondage and liberation. The body is merely a temporary dwelling; you are not the body - you are the soul that resides within it. Therefore, it is the soul, or in other words, the mind, that must engage in devotion.
Hence, this principle should be put into practice - Roopdhyan is of paramount importance in devotion.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
The Sacred Rules - English
Quintessence of Devotion - English
There are two types of devotion - one is performed with the body (with the physical senses), and one is performed with the mind. But devotion performed solely with the body is not devotion at all. Only devotion done with the mind is true devotion. We have engaged in physical devotion for countless lifetimes and continue to make the same mistake even in this lifetime. This is because physical devotion requires no effort, as the mind remains attached to the world. People sing kirtan while holding and playing with a child.
At first, the world seems appealing - seeing, hearing, touching, and thinking about worldly relations feels good. Initially, God's name does not feel appealing. But once we cultivate love for God's names, we will not be able to leave it, even if we are offered the position of Brahma. But right now, our vehicle of devotion has not even started moving. However, once you push it a little and it starts moving, it will continue on its own.
We are being careless. Our spiritual guide has explained to us a thousand times that God only notes devotion performed with the mind. Devotional practices involving the physical senses have been created to assist the mind in contemplating God. However, you only perform physical devotion. You read the letters of the Gita, Bhagavatam, Ramayana, Guru Granth Sahib, and other scriptures, and mindlessly rush to the four holy pilgrimages, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, and other places.
After death, we will attain the one to whom our mind is attached.
yaṃ yama vāpi smaraṇbhāvaṃ ṭyājatyante kalevarama. taṃ tamevāīti kauṃṭeya sadā tadbhāvabhāvitaḥ -
Even the Paramahams Jad Bharat had to be reborn as a deer because he was attached to a fawn at the time of his death.
If this is the fate of a 'jeevanmukt' paramahams, then we have no standing. A 'jeevanmukt' is one whose mind has already died.
Therefore, firmly resolve that before taking the name of God or engaging in devotion even for a second, you will first visualize the form of God or Guru with your mind. God and Guru are pure. If you bring them into your mind, it will get purified. If you bring the world into your mind, it will become impure. This mind has become very dirty because of its attachment to the world, believing it to be the source of happiness for infinite lifetimes. So, it will not become clean in one go. Repeatedly bringing God and Guru to your mind will gradually wash away that impurity. And as soon as the mind becomes attached to God and Guru, it will naturally detach from the world. One day, when the mind becomes completely pure, the Guru will make it divine by his grace, using a divine power called 'swaroop shakti.' Then, we will attain God.
Hence, devotion done with the body is not devotion. Only devotion performed with the mind is true devotion. You do not need to utter even a single name of God to attain God-realization - simply deepen your yearning to meet Him. In other words, increase your love for God. And if you do not love God, then -
bahu janma kare yadi śravaṇa kīrtana, tabhū na pāya kṛṣṇa pade prema dhana -
Even if you chant God's name for infinite births, without love for God, you will not attain Him.
Devotion must be performed with the mind. The mind is the cause of both bondage and liberation. The body is merely a temporary dwelling; you are not the body - you are the soul that resides within it. Therefore, it is the soul, or in other words, the mind, that must engage in devotion.
Hence, this principle should be put into practice - Roopdhyan is of paramount importance in devotion.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
The Sacred Rules - English
Quintessence of Devotion - English
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