Bhakthi

I often ask myself: What is Bhakthi? There are several definitions and
explanations. Starting from Bhagavan, then Narada Muni, sage
Shaandilya and several other great sages of the past and present have
talked about Bhakthi and according to our mental make up, past
tendencies, and surroundings that shaped us, each one of us understand
and assimilate them in one's own way.

Can we say Bhakthi is a sentiment? A sentiment that helps us to think
that all we see, feel and experience are created by God? We have
neither the  right to condemn anything nor look at them with
contempt.Once this sentiment becomes pronounced in our mind, we start
seeing the small rays of light from the "Light of lights". This
sentiment of love gathers strength and starts flowing uninterrupted
towards not only our fellow beings, but also towards all entities,
representations of the Universal soul, in the universe! The letter
"bha" means "light" or prakaasham. When we are attracted towards this
"light" with in ourselves and everything else in this world, it
becomes "bhakthi".Surprisingly this positive sentiment does not allow
one to fall in to the deep trenches of darkness and sorrow because
light and darkness cannot exist at the same time.

As the sentiments become ripe the "Light" by which we are attracted
becomes brighter and brighter guiding us to merge with it. Then it is
called Bhakthi yogam. When we do karmaas with out expecting anything
in return, it becomes Karma yoga.  The basis of Karma yoga is  one's
eagerness to please beloved Bhagavan which is Bhakthi by definition.
Bhakthi is love and this love for that "light" opens the door to the
Ultimate knowledge. Jnjaana yogam is the realization that we are none
other than the Pramaathma. Basis is again 'love and reverence for
that light that pervades everything'.

Can we call Bhakthi as unalloyed love with reverence for all?

May Bhagavan bless us with unconditional love for Him who pervades everything!