Bhakti
Devotion
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Daughter of King Drupada, Draupadi rose from the sacrificial alter. Having a beautiful swarthy complexion, she was also called by the name of Krishna. Draupadi had infinite virtues; she was an extremely devoted and faithful wife, an ideal housewife, and a true devotee of God. She knew Bhagavan Shri Krishna as the fullest manifestation of divinity - as God Himself, the embodiment of Truth, Knowledge and Bliss; and the Lord too for His part never concealed from her even His most secret pastimes. She was even aware of the transcendent sports connected with the pure Divine Love that manifested itself in the cowherd damsels of Brindaban, and which were not known even to the husbands and children of the blessed Gopis. It was therefore that while being stripped of the garments by the Kauravas, she addressed Him as the ‘Beloved of the Gopis’.
Under instructions from Duryodhana, wicked Duhsasana dragged her to the Kaurava Court and began to strip her of her loin-cloth, which was the only garment on her person, and finding no indication of succor from any quarter and feeling altogether helpless, Draupadi thought of the Divine Shri Krishna, her Supreme supporter and greatest friend. She had the firm conviction in her heart that the Lord would surely appear as soon as she remembered Him; for it would be impossible for Him to resist her plaintive cries. She addressed the following appeal to the Lord:
“O Govinda, the Protector of cows! O Resident of Dwaraka! O Krishna, Beloved of the Gopis! O Keshava! Is it unknown to You that I am being humiliated by the Kauravas? O Master! O Lord of Laxmi, goddess of prosperity, O King of Vraja! O Allayer of suffering! O Janardana, save me from floundering in the ocean of the Kauravas’ tyranny! O Krishna! O Attracter of souls! O great Yogi! O Universal Soul! O Creator of the universe! O Govinda! Protect this languishing supplicant creature fallen into the clutches of the Kauravas!”
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About the Book
Bhakti is a real, genuine search after God, a search beginning, continuing and ending in love. One single moment of madness of extreme love to God brings us eternal freedom. Devotional service is a process of spiritual understanding. Wherever devotional service exists, the material contamination cannot coexist. The book “Bhakti - Devotion” discusses Bhakti using various approaches. These include:
a) Collection of “Sayings” from the Shastras. The ancient Hindu Shastras such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, Bhagavad Gita, Shrimad Bhagavata, etc., contain invaluable ‘Sayings’ which are a source of enlightenment.
b) Sage Narada’s Bhakti-aphorisms. Sage Narada describes Bhakti as “intense love to God; when a man gets it, he loves all, hates none; he becomes satisfied for ever.”
c) A discussion of “Bhakti-Yoga - The Path of Devotion”, Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita. This chapter takes us deeper into the concept of Bhakti.
d) “Bhaktas - Devotees” of the Lord. Their lives are a source of inspiration and instill in us a sense of devotion.
e) Shri Adi Shankaracharya’s devotional song “Bhaja Govindam”. It is enchanting and elevates the mind to a higher plane.
f) Sanskrit Epithets of Lord Krishna and Arjuna used in the Bhagavad Gita. There is great depth in their meanings.
About the Author
The author is a retired professor from Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia, U.S.A. He retired in 1997 as Associate Professor of Chemistry after 28 years of service. He still continues to work for the university on a part-time basis.