Posted on: 17 Nov 2020
[An online spiritual discussion was conducted on October 24, 2020, in which several devotees participated. Some of the questions of devotees answered by Swāmi are given below.]
[Kum. Laxmi Thrylokya asked: You said that the spiritual path is like a two-step chemical reaction, in which the first step from A to B which, which is spiritual knowledge (jñāna yoga) to devotion (bhakti yoga), takes a long time. The second step from B to C, which is devotion to practice (niṣkāma karma yoga) happens spontaneously. But practice, which includes service and sacrifice is also possible as a result of vaiśya bhakti (business devotion). This is selfish devotion, in which the devotee does some practical sacrifice for God, but with the expectation of some practical worldy benefits in return. Under which step does this type of selfish devotion and sacrifice come?]
Swāmi replied: A long time or almost all the time is consumed in attaining true spiritual knowledge from the Sadguru. Stage A can be considered to be identifying the Sadguru, after which one has to gain knowledge from Him. So, gaining knowledge from the Sadguru is the first step from A to B. Stage B is the stage in which the disciple has gained complete knowledge from the Sadguru. Once this knowledge is completely and comprehensively gained, it gives rise to devotion, which is Stage C. This second step of B (knowledge) producing C (devotion) is spontaneous. Then, this devotion (C) spontaneously transforms the knowledge (B) into practice (D). This third step of devotion (C) giving rise to practice (D) is also spontaneous. So, it becomes a three-step reaction. Once the long process from A to B is completed, the next two steps are spontaneous. We can even say that the time taken for the first step (A to B) is also the time taken for the overall journey from A to D.
Based on this, Śaṅkara said that once the entire spiritual knowledge is attained, without even a trace of doubt, the fruit is attained because once D is attained, it surely gives the fruit (E). So, you may add one more step, which is D to E; E being the fruit which is certainly obtained once D is attained.
Overall: Sadguru → Knowledge → Devotion→Practice→Fruit
Practice means practical sacrifice. It includes the offering of service and the fruit of one’s work, without aspiring for any fruit in return. Vaiśya bhakti is not the same as Stage D described above even though it involves some practical sacrifice. Thi is because it is done with an aspiration for some practical fruit. The correct example of D is apatya bhakti, which is issue devotion. It is the kind of devotion or love parents have for their children. Parents practically offer their service as well as the fruit of their work (wealth) to their children, without aspiring for any fruit in return. It proves that their love (devotion) is true.