BloodyRose3000
07 July 2012, 12:08 PM
Hi
Upon trying to understand what Bhakti is, I came upon this and found it to be quite amazing. I have a few questions however, in regards to this text. As I don't know much about Sanatana Dharma scriptures, I wanted to know what type of scripture this would be considered (ie: the bible obviously has divisions like the Torah and Gospels and Paul's letters etc). Also, how important is this book to people's faith. Is it something accepting by everyone or just a certain type of person or sect (?) in Sanatana Dharma?
Also, upon reading I came upon this:
NBS 38: Primarily, however, one develops bhakti by the mercy of great souls, or by a small drop of the Lord's mercy.
NBS 39: The association of great souls is rarely obtained, difficult to understand, and infallible.
NBS 40: The association of great souls can be attained -- but only by the Lord's mercy.
NBS 41: [One can attain bhakti either by the association of the Lord's pure devotees or directly by the Lord's mercy because] the Lord and His pure devotees are nondifferent.
NBS 42: Strive, strive only for the association of pure devotees.
What exactly are these "great souls", and what is their role in the religion? It sounds kind of like the Catholic concept of the saint (ie: great souls in heaven/"in Christ" that, through prayer/the power of can, can help intercede for you. Of course it's not necessary to go through them, as you can commune directly with God, but they're still another means to an end)
Thank you
Upon trying to understand what Bhakti is, I came upon this and found it to be quite amazing. I have a few questions however, in regards to this text. As I don't know much about Sanatana Dharma scriptures, I wanted to know what type of scripture this would be considered (ie: the bible obviously has divisions like the Torah and Gospels and Paul's letters etc). Also, how important is this book to people's faith. Is it something accepting by everyone or just a certain type of person or sect (?) in Sanatana Dharma?
Also, upon reading I came upon this:
NBS 38: Primarily, however, one develops bhakti by the mercy of great souls, or by a small drop of the Lord's mercy.
NBS 39: The association of great souls is rarely obtained, difficult to understand, and infallible.
NBS 40: The association of great souls can be attained -- but only by the Lord's mercy.
NBS 41: [One can attain bhakti either by the association of the Lord's pure devotees or directly by the Lord's mercy because] the Lord and His pure devotees are nondifferent.
NBS 42: Strive, strive only for the association of pure devotees.
What exactly are these "great souls", and what is their role in the religion? It sounds kind of like the Catholic concept of the saint (ie: great souls in heaven/"in Christ" that, through prayer/the power of can, can help intercede for you. Of course it's not necessary to go through them, as you can commune directly with God, but they're still another means to an end)
Thank you