Narada Bhakti Sutra - Post 52

Sutra 42. Tadeva Saadhyataam Tadeva Saadhyataam.

(Let that alone be practised, let that alone be practised)

Tat: that (aids to love of God referred to in Sutra 35-37); 

Eva: only, alone 

Saadhyataam: let it be practised.

  

Tat: that, refers to renunciation and loving service described in Sutras 35-37 as well as the grace of God and Mahapurushas or great souls. Self-surrender must be complete. Then alone the divine grace will flow. Self-surrender is Praptti.

Strive after love of God alone, strive after love of God alone.

Work for, strive after the grace of God. Make serious efforts to obtain the grace of God. The object of repeating the phrase is to stress its urgency and importance.

Such practices as would enable us to obtain their grace alone should be adopted.

Therefore cultivate this, cultivate this (contact with the lover of God, or Mahatma).

If you wish to cultivate divine love, sincerely’ long for the company of saints. Through the grace of the Lord you will obtain the company of great souls or Mahatmas, Mahapurushas.

Eva: that alone. That alone is valuable. Other things are of no value. God’s grace alone must be obtained. The methods have already been given detachment, service, kirtan, hearing of Lord’s leelas, etc.

Summary

Having been born as a Human, to be convinced that the only purpose is to reach and merge with God and to take up all steps, all sacrifices to win the grace of God to attain God, is the only and only goal of a man.

Sutra 43. Dussanga Sarvathaiva Tyaajya.

(Evil company should be certainly given up by all means)

Duh-sanga: evil company

Sarvatha: by all means

eva: only, certainly  

Tyajya: to be given up.

Everywhere, at all times, by all means avoid the company of the wicked.

A person  who keeps company with the wicked people loses his devotion and develops evil qualities. He also comes to the level of a worldly man. Mind imitates. Evil company is the main obstacle to devotion.

In the company of the wicked one develops immorality, licentiousness, vicious habits, voluptuousness, sensuality, hypocrisy, arrogance, etc. Evil company destroys all virtues such as purity, truthfulness, compassion, etc.

If the locality, food, surroundings, environment, vocation, form of worship, topics of discussion, books you read are sattvic you will grow in spirituality and virtue. If they are Rajasic or Tamasic you will develop evil traits.

Some people argue “Why should we shun evil company? Is not God there also? Why should we see evil anywhere? Shall we not see only the good? Should we not see only God in the evil also?

A sage alone is above good and evil. He alone sees good in the evil too . For him there is neither good  nor evil. He alone will not be affected by evil. He sees God in evil also. 

Ordinary man and a raw aspirant will be easily affected by evil company He cannot see good in evil. Evil is a solid reality for him.

God is everywhere. God is in pure water, and in dirty water. But you cannot drink the dirty water. 

A young aspirant cannot take refuge in the Upanishadic saying, “All Indeed is Brahman” when he is in the midst of temptations. Every object that stimulates lower passions must be ruthlessly avoided.

  

This sublime instruction should only be imparted to the aspirant who is endowed with absolute moral purity, discrimination, dispassion and who is free from cravings for sensual pleasures.

Evil is a product of ignorance. Good is that which leads you to the attainment of God-realisation or eternal bliss. Evil is that which leads you to sorrow, unhappiness, misery, birth and death. Sattva is goodness. Tamas and Rajas are evils. Sattva will give serenity, tranquility, composure, calmness. Rajas and Tamas will cause agitation, restlessness, anxiety, vexation, suffering and unhappiness.

SUMMARY

This sutras follows the previous sutra rightly.

Only when a man has clear goal of realizing God as emphasized in the previous sutra, he will automatically avoid evil company and his heart lit up with Godly thoughts will desist evil company, knowing that it may take him away from his goal.

Love.