||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 91 – The practice of meditation/Bakthi Yoga – 4

Kapila Vasudeva continued “ Oh! Mother, the intense practice of meditation and contemplation upon supreme Lord will give you supreme bliss, which could lead to the state of lack of body consciousness.  The soul has attained numerous births due to endless desires, and it has been clothed in several forms, but the soul remains untouched, and the body undergoes the aging process from the early stage of life, therefore it is unworthy to think about the body that is subject to undergo a constant transformation or the people or fulfillment of the desire of the body.  Oh! Mother, you can attain the knowledge, that body is different from soul/ Bhramam/Bhagavan who is all-pervading, with the constant meditation upon the Supreme Lord, gradually you will achieve the knowledge of Oneness-in-all.  Oh! Mother, the practice of meditation upon the Supreme Lord with intense devotion and faith, with the knowledge that the body is perishable and the soul which is eternal and it is derived from the supreme Lord, hence it has to merge in Him, even though it is highly complex, with the constant practice of contemplation upon Supreme Lord, you could achieve it.”

Devahoothi asked “ Oh! Child, kindly narrate me the different methods of Bhakti Yoga”

Kapila Vasudeva replied “Oh! Mother, there are different ways to practice meditation, according to the nature of individuals.    The individuals with the three natures such as  Thamasik, Rajasik and Swathik, practices meditation in different ways.  The people with Thamasik nature practices meditation to fulfill their individual desires and win over their enemies, they undertake worship with the sense of Himsa, Dhambam, and Mathsaryam.  The people with Rajasik nature practice meditation to fulfill their selfish motive to attain immense wealth and material well-being. The people with Swathik nature practice to attain serenity of mind by the process of complete surrender to supreme Lord and accept all that happening in their lives be it sorrow or happiness as the ‘Prasadha’/grace of supreme Lord.  A true devotee of Lord will not suspect the capabilities of supreme Lord who is the father of the Universe is well competent to take care of the Universe and its living beings.  Oh! Mother, life on the Earth is based on the previous Karma of the individual/Law of Karma, therefore all the living beings on the Earth are bound by their Karma.  The practice of meditation is the elevation of the soul from the material world to supreme Lord, which is possible only through Upasana/ intense faith and devotion, complete surrender with the recitation of sacred names and contemplating upon supreme Lord who is father, mother, companion, relative, wisdom, richness, etc..  Oh! Mother, I shall narrate the essence of Bhakti Yoga, and how to elevate your soul.  The significant methods of worship are Salokya/contemplating upon supreme Lord who resides as a soul in you,  Sameepyam/nearness with him, Saroopyam/likeness to him, and Sayujya/intimate union with him, without any individual motives.  Oh! Mother, you have to practice yourself to elevate your soul, no one can assist you in this practice.  Oh! Mother, whoever venerates the idol without the knowledge of the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, is an ignorant pouring the ghee on the ashes of the fire sacrifice.  Oh! Mother, whoever hurt, or humiliates others without the knowledge of Lord who resides as a soul in all the living beings, would not attain the serenity of mind.  Oh! Mother, idol worship can be continued until you could not attain the knowledge of the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, without the knowledge of all-pervading nature of Lord you cannot save yourself from the fear of death.  Oh! Mother, I shall narrate the easiest way to contemplate upon supreme Lord, who resides as a soul in living beings, with the practice of simplicity, humbleness, and kindness.  Oh! Mother, the practice of humility in action, words, and thoughts, with the constant remembrance of every action has an opposite reaction,  with a knowledge of all that you do will multiply your Karma, and no one can escape from their past deeds.  In this way, you can elevate your soul.”