Narada Bhakti Sutra - Post 39

Sutra 28. Tasya jnanameva Saadhanamityeke.

In the view of some, knowledge (of the object loved) alone is the means to attain (devotion).

Tasyah: of that supreme Love

Jnanam: knowledge

Eva: alone

Sadhanam: means

Iti: Thus

[some (teachers think)].

Bhakti must be preceded by the knowledge that the object of one’s devotion and worship is the Lord, who is Omnipotent, Omniscient, all-merciful, who possesses Infinite auspicious qualities, who is the support and substratum of all etc. 

Without this knowledge, there will be no faith in God, without faith there will be no attachment to God, and without attachment there will be no lasting and intense devotion.

  

Some say: “Even in the worldly parlance, knowledge comes first. Through knowledge of a thing, one gets love for that object. A girl gets knowledge of her would be husband : "He can sing well. He is handsome. He has passed his I.C.S. examination. He is now a district magistrate and so on." A patient gets knowledge of the virtuous qualities of barley. Then he loves Barley and takes with delight bread made of barley. He knows it is cooling and sattvic and so on. So also one gets knowledge of God at first. Then he begins to love. Therefore, 'gyanam' is the 'Sadhanam' or means for devotion.

In an earlier verse, we learnt that devotion without proper knowledge (of the real grandeur, real truth) of God is like approaching one's Paramour for illicit love. 

The above meaning that Knowledge of God is necessary for devotion to God should be understood in proper sense otherwise it can be confusing.

What it means is that it has to be clear that God is eternal and beyond name and form and is LOVE in the path of devotion (SELF or Pure consciousness in the path of Jnana) and with this clarity, each step in devotion, each process in devotion, each act in the process of devotion must be focussed to go nearer and nearer to THAT GOD who IS LOVE and to ultimately merge in  Him / that LOVE.

If the above reality of God is not known clearly, then it is possible that devotion remains as a mere emotion towards a God with form, with devotee associating himself mentally and emotionally with that God and remaining at that level for ever. In this case, Love for God is but a little superior Love as compared to love for wife / husband / children etc. but not the MOST SUPERIOR LOVE FOR THE ETERNAL GOD = LOVE.

Exception to the above understanding

Devotion to God may be developed through mere faith and reverence also. Jatayu, Gajendra, Dhruva, Sabari realised God through mere devotion. 

In the love of the child to the mother, there is no understanding. So the view that Jnana is the Sadhana of devotion is only partially true.

Love.