Narada Bhakti Sutra - Post 59

Sutra 53. Prakaasate kvaapi paatre.

[But (that love or devotion) manifests itself in a fit receptacle (in a qualified person only) at some place or time.]

Kvaapi: some; at any place and time, where everything is favorable to its (That love) appearance, fit

Paatre: receptacle in a fit recipient

Prakaasate: is manifested, is revealed.

What then association with the saints will avail, if the devotion or love is inexpressible in words and consequently incommunicable from person to person? To this the answer is that the operation of devotion or love is telepathic and not through any grosser medium.

To some who are deserving, it can be revealed. Rays of divine love radiate through the eyes of a saint at every pore of his body.

“Kwapi”: somewhere, at some time. The extreme rarity of such individuals is here indicated. Out of many millions one will be fit to receive the Lord’s grace.

The current of Prem or spiritual aura passes by itself from the teacher to the fit disciple. There is telepathic transference or communication between the teacher and disciple. The disciple should be a fit subject to receive the light. The seed will sprout only in a well prepared ground. 

Swami Rama elaborates on the subject Guru's grace (which is most befitting to this Sutra) and writes:-

The guru is a tradition, a stream of knowledge.

Guru is not a person, but Guru can be represented in a person. One who has developed his or her own spiritual awareness to a very high level can guide others, and is considered to be Guru. 

Only one who is finely attuned to the inner guide can inspire the awakening of the inner guide in another. Guru is not a physical being. If a Guru begins thinking this power is her or his own, then they are no longer a guide. The Guru is a tradition, a stream of knowledge.

Guru is that force moving  a soul toward enlightenment.

To be on a spiritual path with a Guru is not an easy thing. It is not pleasant. The Guru tests the disciples, puts them in the most difficult situations, and creates obstacles for them. All the tests, difficulties and obstacles are meant to train and expand the consciousness of the disciple.

That is the sole work of the Guru. The Guru wants nothing from the disciple. Guru is that force moving a soul toward enlightenment. The guru's actions are from pure compassion. As the sun shines and lives far above, the Guru gives spiritual love and remains unattached.

Grace is the impulse or the impetus of  the energy to dispel darkness.

Grace is the impulse or the impetus of the energy to dispel darkness. There is the grace of the scriptures, from the wisdom that has passed down from others. 

There is the grace of the teacher, who imparts that wisdom and helps bring it to life in the student. There is the grace of God, or pure consciousness, that is alive and ever present in everyone's life. 

Integral to these three graces is the grace of oneself, having the will to undertake a purposeful journey in life, to do the spiritual work of life, and to prepare oneself.

How do we get this grace? It comes of its own when a seeker has made maximum effort. When all efforts have been made, and all efforts have been exhausted, then grace comes.

A Sanskrit word for grace is shaktipata. Shakti means energy and pata means bestowing. Shaktipata means "bestowing the energy" or lighting the lamp. 

Sometimes shaktipata is translated as "descent of power." A power comes from above, of its own, to a vessel that is cleaned, purified and is prepared to receive it. 

When the instructions from the Guru have been completed, the seeker has become strong in selflessness and surrender, and the samskaras have been burned, grace comes.

In my own life, since I was a small child I was raised and guided by my Master. I had done all that He asked of me. Grace had not come and I grew frustrated. So one day I went to my Master and said, "You have not done shaktipata for me. That means either You don't have shakti or You don't intend to do it."

I told him, "For so long now I have been closing my eyes in meditation and I end up with nothing but a headache. My time has been wasted and I find little joy in life."

He didn't say anything, so in my exasperation I continued talking.

"I worked hard and sincerely," I said to him. "You said it would take fourteen years, but this is my seventeenth year of practice. Whatever You have asked me to do I have done. But today You give me shaktipata or I will commit suicide."

Finally he said to me, "Are you sure? Are you really following all the practices I have taught you? Is this the fruit of my teaching, that you are committing suicide?"

Then he waited a moment and said, "When do you want to commit suicide?"

"Right now," I said. "I am talking to You before I commit suicide. You are no longer my master now. I have given up everything. I am of no use to the world, I am of no use to You."

I got up to go to the Ganges, which was near, and was prepared to drown myself.

My Master said, "You know how to swim, so when you jump in the Ganges, naturally you will start swimming. You'd better find some way so that you will start drowning and not come up. Perhaps you should tie some weight to yourself."

"What has happened to You?" I asked him. "You used to love me so much."

I went to the Ganges and with a rope I tied some big rocks to myself. When I was ready to jump, my Master came and called, "Wait. Sit here for one minute. I will give you what you want."

I did not know if he meant it, but I thought I could wait at least a minute. I sat in my meditation posture and my Master came and touched me on the forehead. I remained in that position for nine hours and did not have a single worldly thought. The experience was indescribable. When I returned to normal consciousness I thought no time had passed.

"Sir," I said to my Master, "please forgive me."

With that touch my life was transformed. I lost fear and selfishness. I started understanding life properly. I wondered if this experience came about because of my effort or my Master's.

His answer was simply, "Grace."

"A human being," he explained, "should make all possible sincere efforts. When he has become exhausted and cries out in despair, in the highest state of devotional emotion, he will attain ecstasy. That is the grace of God. Grace is the fruit that you receive from your faithful and sincere efforts."

Grace is only possible with a disciple who has gone through a long period of discipline, austerity and spiritual practices. 

When a student has done these practices and followed the teacher's instructions with all faithfulness, truthfulness and sincerity, then the subtlest obstacle is removed by the Master. 

The experience of enlightenment comes from the sincere effort of both Master and disciple. When you have done your duties skillfully and wholeheartedly, you reap the fruits gracefully. Grace dawns when action ends. Shaktipata is the grace of God transmitted through the Master.

Guru is the disciple's guide through life, through the mysterious terrain of the spiritual heart and into and beyond the realm of death.

Love.