Bhagwad Gita - Post 236

Verse 54

Becoming Brahman, serene in the Self, he neither grieves nor desires; the same to all beings, he attains supreme devotion unto Me.

With constant self-effort, relative peace in the mind is to be maintained for longer periods of time and zealously guarded. Joys and sorrows will be constantly reaching our bosom from the outer world; we are helpless before them.

One who has read well, reflected upon and understood the theme of the Absolute Reality as discussed in the Scriptures, is indicated here by the term "Brahma-Bhootah."

(This is stated by Chinmayananda, which would be further taken up and explored ( the state of one who has understood and beyond that, also experienced ,later in this post )

To the extent an intellect realizes the existence of the divine aspect in it, and so automatically withdraws its all-out clinging to the matter-realm, to that extent it is not disturbed by the objects of perception, feeling and thought. Thus it discovers a growing tranquility (Prasannaatmaa) within itself.

Thereby he discovers in himself the courage to stand apart, both from grief and desire. He grieves not (Na Shochati) because he feels no incompleteness in himself, as he used to feel in the earlier days of his arrogant ego. 

Naturally, such a person grieves not in life desires not (Na Kaankshati) for the possession of anything to make his happiness complete.

Swami Chinmayananda describes how such a being exists as a true devotee, thus:-

  

“The previous verse indicated the methods of detachment

and it was said that he who has accomplished them in his inner composition is the only one who is capable of striving for and succeeding in a true identification with the play of the Infinite in and through the finite. The expansiveness of vision, the catholicity of love and the release from sense preoccupation --- all these are necessary in order to produce in the seeker, supreme love for the Lord. There is yet another stage in one's pilgrimage to Truth.”

Chinmaya’s Acharya, Swami Sivananda writes on this verse, on such Brahma Bhootah existing as true devotee 

“Such a devotee or aspirant attains supreme devotion to Me. The fourth or the highest of the four kinds of devotion mentioned in verse 16 of chapter VII”

Swami explains 4 kinds of devotees referred above, in Gita Vahini

Quote Swami 

“The four Types of Devotees

The first type is one who prays to the Lord when he is in difficulty or undergoing trials and tribulations. It is only at such times that he thinks of the Lord and worships him.

The second type is one who entreats the Lord for the blessings of wealth, position and power. He prays to the Lord for progeny and long life and yearns to gain houses, property, cattle, gold, jewels and such things to serve his fellow man. 

The third type of devotee is ever engaged in inquiry into truth. He constantly seeks to know, 'Where is God? Who is God? How can I reach God? What is my relationship to God? Who am I?' 

Finally, when you have fully absorbed the teachings within yourself, you leave this stage behind and become the fourth type of devotee, the highest knower of truth, the one of abiding wisdom. This wisdom is true spiritual knowledge, the transcendental knowledge. It refers to the experience of unity, the experience of the One without a second.”

Unquote

(Source - SAI BABA GITA)

Now, the author would share glimpses on “Brahma bhootah, Knower of Brahman, existing as Pure Devotee”, from his own, actual state of existence/experience, in all humility.

There is nothing like merely Knowing Brahman. Brahman cannot be known as we know all other things in this world (Objects)

Knower of Brahman is realizing Brahman within myself as my “SELF”

One would have been devoted to God (Sai, in the case of author), prior to realizing Brahman, but that devotion is duality, i.e., keeping Sai separate from me and being devoted to Sai)

Upon realizing, the duality ends in all aspects, including the jiva and Brahman, including Bhakta and Bhagwan.

How is devotion, then??

He still worships, he still remains at Lord’s lotus feet, he still sings Sai’s glory but what is the difference now?

Prior to realizing SELF, duality is there, so, God/SAI is perceived only in form.

Now, even in the form of SAI, what is experienced?

BRAHMAN, (FORMLESS, ATTRIBUTE LESS, ETERNAL EXISTENCE + AWARENESS OF ETERNAL EXISTENCE, INFINITE, CHANGELESS, AS ETERNAL EXISTENCE CANNOT BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE), is  the state of experience and in that state, how only Sai's form can be excluded???

What can be a higher state of devotion, where, one actually experiences Bhagwan actually as Bhagwan (without maya, without any form assumed by Bhagwan)?

Such a being, upon realizing Brahman, may even shed tears on reading leelas of God, his voice may choke while describing divine experience, but still, he is perfectly in terms with the Absolute Reality of God as Pure Consciousness, beyond manifest and un-manifest.

This is the Truth, This is the Truth.

Love.