Sravana, Kirtana, and the Resultant Shedding of Tears or Trembling is not True Bhakti for Anyone and Everyone

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

(From "Bhakti Tattva Viveka" - click to read more from it.
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It should be carefully noted that the performance of devotional activities such as sravana and kirtana and the resultant appearance of symptoms like the shedding of tears and trembling should not be accepted as true bhakti for anyone and everyone.

Hence, in order to take shelter of shuddha-bhakti it is compulsory to analyse the proper qualification for it.

The hari-bhajana performed by karmadhikaris and jnanadhikaris, or those who are eligible to perform karma and cultivate jnana, usually becomes a part of mere karma and jnana.

Therefore, such people don’t obtain the auspicious fruit which is expected from the performance of bhajana.

A devotee’s hari-bhajana becomes pure only when he obtains the proper adhikara or qualification for shuddha-bhakti, and when this happens, his bhajana will very quickly bear fruit in the form of bhava.

For this reason I have undertaken an analysis of this very important topic.

Scholars quote the following verse from Srimad Bhagavad-gita (7.16):

catur-vidha bhajante mam janah sukritino ’rjuna

arto jijnasur artharthi jnani ca bharatarshabha

“My dear Arjuna! As a result of their accumulation of pious activities in innumerable lifetimes, four types of people engage in My bhajana: arta or those who are distressed, jijnasu or those who are inquisitive, artharthi or those who desire wealth and jnani or those who possess spiritual knowledge.

These four kinds of virtuous persons are qualified to perform My bhajana.”

Those who are very anxious to eradicate their distress are called arta.

Those who are inquisitive to understand the Absolute Truth are called jijnasu.

Those who desire to attain material happiness are called artharthi, and those who are realising spiritual truth at every moment are called jnani.

Though one may be arta, jijnasu, artharthi or jnani, unless one has some sukriti or accumulated pious merit he will not be inclined towards bhajana.(from Part 4 – "An Analysis of the Qualification for Bhakti")

Another revelation, . Check out the previous page too: . You will benefit from reading the whole work: Bhakti Tattva Viveka.

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Harih Om Tat Sat.

Natural Brotherhood (Bhaktivinoda Thakura):

BhaktiVinoda Thakura

"Gradually, when the offensive portions of the established religions are destroyed, there will be no more differences in the bhajana performed by the various Sampradayas nor any quarrel between them.

Then as brothers, the people of all castes and countries will spontaneously chant the Holy Names of the Supreme Lord together.

At that time, no one will hate anyone or consider others dogeaters; nor will anyone be overwhelmed by the pride of high birth.

The living entities will not forget the principle of natural brotherhood."


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