The Meaning Of Bhakti

I want to remind you about the meaning of bhakti, so that you can judge by your heart whether or not you are following its principles in a heartfelt way. The definition of bhakti has been given in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and other scriptures. Moreover, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s eternal associate, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, has given a definition that contains all the previous ones:

anyābhilāṣitā śūnyaṁ jñāna-kārmādy anāvṛtam
ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā

Now you can thus judge yourself, whether or not you are following the path of bhakti. Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam. What is the meaning of anugatya? Does any disciple have the right to correct his guru’s explanations, words, writings, or anything about him? No. Before accepting a guru one can consider whether or not he is qualified, but after accepting initiation, one should obey. One has no right to change any of his guru’s words. If he changes them, where is anugatya, the taking of guidance?

April 27, 2005 Murwillumbuh