Even bhakti
born of desire has value
9. The Lord
speaks of three kinds of devotees (bhakta) - (1) sakama
bhakta, one who prays for something, (2) the disinterested but
partial bhakta, and (3) the jnani, the seer, or the
perfect bhakta. The disinterested but partial bhakta
is of three kinds, - (1) The afflicted, (2) the seeker after
knowledge and (3) the seeker of meaning and purpose. These are the
branches and twigs of the tree of bhakti.
What is meant of sakama
bhakti, interested bhakti? It is approaching the Lord
with some desire in the heart. I do not despise this as a low form
of bhakti. Many people render public service for name and
fame. What is wrong in that? Give them honor; you will do no harm by
it. Because they receive honor they will get confirmed in service;
and then they will begin to find joy in their work. This desire for
recognition, what does it mean ultimately? Through recognition, one
gets the faith that what one is doing is right.
One who has no inward
means of deciding whether his service is good or bad, such a one
accepts this external test. When the mother pats the child on the
back and says, "Well done, my child!", the child wants to
help all the more. The sakama bhakta too is like that. He
could go straight to the Lord and say, "Give," asking for
what he wants. The habit of going to the Lord and asking Him for
whatever one wants, is not common. It is something rare. |
