Bhakti Wisdom

Devotees of Krishna are known for their dedication to seva and for their intensive sadhana. They are easily recognised owed to their gentle nature and simplicity.

Whilst reflecting on the qualities of a devotee, one quality especially attracted my attention.

Steadiness in sadhana or service is something that always fascinated me in devotees. Whatever they do, be this puja, sadhana or any other seva, they will do it with great dedication, even if some obstacles arises on their path and creates some inconveniences.

Meditating on this particular Vaisnava quality, I decided to test it and see why being steady in spiritual life is so important.

20 weeks ago I started with a practise of reciting one chapter of Bhagavat Gita every day. I would recite the same chapter every day for one week, and then move onto the next chapter. Following that process, I finished not only the recitation of the whole Bhagavat Gita, but I also memorised some verses and developed taste to read some of the purports as well.

As the weeks passed, I developed a desire to also finish reading all the purports from the chapter I was reciting that week. Now not only have I recited the chapter’s Sanskrit verses, but I also read the whole chapter in one week. And this was all by spending simply 20 minutes per day reading Bhagavat Gita.

Two weeks ago I completed a recitation of all 18 chapters of the Gita, and also managed to read the whole Gita in those 18 weeks.

The process started again from Chapter one, and I meditated on how to improve my recitation and how to make it more presentable to the Lord. I prayed to the Lord for help, asking how to make my offering better for His pleasure.

A few days later I became inspired to read the Gita Mahatmya – a book that speaks of the glories of Bhagavat Gita, and particularly the benefits of reciting Bhagavat Gita.

While reading this book I came across the following Sanskrit verse: Sri Krsnapanam astu-‘ May this be an offering to Lord Krishna.’

I then read seven further verses, where the author reveals the power of recitation of the Gita, and how pleasing it is to the Lord.

After reading that, I decided to recite these verses before reciting chapters of the Gita.

Two weeks ago I started the process of recitation again, beginning with chapter one, but now with an offering that is more presentable to the Lord – first reciting verses that glorify Bhagavat Gita, and then reciting the chapter.

Reflecting on that experience and how the Lord inspired me to read Gita Mahatmya so I can learn how to serve Him better, I realised that if we are steady in spiritual life – particularly in our service and sadhana – and if we do it with a pure motive to please the Lord, then the Lord being pleased will give us the intelligence so that we can constantly improve our offering.

Maybe my recitation of Sanskrit verses of Bhagavat Gita was not perfect, however because I remained steady and continued recitation despite a lack of qualification, the Lord gave me the intelligence to see how to improve my offering, and to make it more pleasing to Him.

Reciting Bhagavat Gita has helped me to realise how powerful it is to be steady in our spiritual life, and how much the Lord is pleased if we remain on the path, despite challenges and difficulties that come our way.

Devotee life is all about pleasing Lord Krishna and bringing a smile to His face. If this is the process to achieve it then let us all become steady in chanting sincerely the maha mantra and rendering seva to Guru and Gouranga!

Bhagavat Gita 10.10- To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.