True Bhakti:

When someone claims to be a devotee of God, it is important to understand what they mean by Bhakti, or devotion, and how they see themselves as a Bhakta or devotee. Each person interprets Bhakti differently, depending on their level of knowledge or purity of mind.

For some, Bhakti may resemble a kind of barter system with God, where they offer prayers and service in exchange for material happiness. While this approach isn’t inherently wrong, can it be called true Bhakti?

Others may engage in rituals and prayers, believing that these acts will protect them from misfortune. But when adversity strikes, they might feel abandoned by God and question why they were not spared. Is this then, true Bhakti?

Some people only turn to God during times of crisis, seeking answers or relief from their problems.

Many devotees fall into these categories, offering their devotion with an underlying expectation of reward or protection. While this isn’t necessarily wrong, such devotion doesn’t resolve the deeper suffering that arises from attachment to the material world.

Now, consider the example of a mother caring for her child. She does so simply for the child’s wellbeing, not expecting anything in return. When the child is happy and content, the mother too feels joy. Her love is unconditional, and her happiness isn’t based on what the child gives her in return. This selfless unconditional love mirrors the essence of true Bhakti.

True Bhakti arises when love and devotion toward the divine are offered without any expectation. Imagine a person suffering from a chronic illness who, instead of asking God to cure them, surrenders entirely to the will of the divine. They recognize that everything happening whether good or bad, is part of a greater plan (Karma) and they accept their situation as part of that divine will. The person no longer sees themselves as the doer of any actions but as a mere instrument of the divine’s will. Their mind remains absorbed in thoughts of God, without any trace of ego or attachment to outcomes.

However, it is important that this devotion is guided by wisdom (Jnana). Without proper understanding, it is easy to become a blind follower, mistaking passivity or irresponsibility for devotion. Misguided Bhakti can even lead to harmful actions with someone falsely believing that their wrongdoings are somehow the will of God. True Bhakti doesn’t lead one astray. Instead, it is marked by humility, surrender and an unwavering focus on the divine.

A true Bhakta accepts that their sufferings are the result of past karma and doesn’t ask God to remove these hardships but to give them the strength to endure. They don’t seek escape from challenges but embrace them, knowing that their path is divinely ordained.

One might wonder from a practical point of view, what is the benefit of such Bhakti as it doesn’t appear to offer any tangible material rewards? The ultimate goal of true Bhakti however, is liberation—freedom from the attachments that cause suffering in worldly life.

For a true devotee, even their material needs are taken care of by the divine, though they hold no expectations for these things. When devotion is pure, everything in life becomes infused with the divine presence and God reveals Himself in countless ways.

So why wait? Surrender fully, devote yourself to the divine, and begin the journey toward true Bhakti.

Dedicated to Shri Ravi Guruji – Shri Anandanandanatha.

This article is written by Jayanth Chandramouli and can be contacted at Jayanth@manblunder.com