How can we increase our appreciation for bhakti?
Answer Podcast
Transcript
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Increase the appreciation for Bhakti. Is there anything we can do individually? See, in the sadhaka stage, largely it is the buddhi that keeps us on the spiritual platform. In the siddha stage, it is the priti.
So in sadhaka stage, we need to use our intelligence to appreciate, to stay connected on the spiritual platform. Once we become advanced, then our attraction to Krishna will naturally stay. So to a large extent, it is studying the philosophy diligently that reminds us of the value of Krishna consciousness.
So we can also see that if we hear some classes about the glory of the Holy Name, then we feel more inspired to chant. The Holy Name is the same. But when we are reminded of its glory, then we want to take shelter of it more.
So one thing we can do is we can study the philosophy and not just study philosophy generally. We can study the philosophy, especially about focusing on those aspects for which we wish to increase appreciation. So physically, I could never do deity worship.
But then I had a desire, I wanted to serve the deities. So I found in India, there were many Muslims, Christians, they criticized deity worship a lot. So I decided to write a book on deity worship, not how to do deity worship, but the philosophical basis for deity worship.
I call it idol worship or ideal worship. Then after I wrote that book, I found my appreciation for deities increasing. So I realized that was one way I served the deities.
So the service was largely more intellectual, analyzing various arguments against deity worship, countering those arguments, explaining things. But that also connected me with Krishna. So that specific manifestation of Krishna, the deities, when I served through writing, that helped me increase my appreciation.
So whichever particular manifestation of Krishna we wish to increase our appreciation for, if we can serve that, serve means doesn’t just necessarily doing that. So serving the, increasing our appreciation for chanting of the holy name doesn’t just mean necessarily chanting extra. It can be reading about the glories of the holy name, associating with those who have taste for the holy name, and speaking about the glories, contemplating those glories, putting those glories in our own words, putting our own words, putting things in our own words, internalizes things considerably.
And by that, we can gain greater appreciation. So that is from our perspective by increasing the conviction. Now by Krishna’s mercy, a revelation will also come.
And when that revelation comes, that is completely life transforming. But when that revelation will come, we can’t say. Till that time, we have to show Krishna our desire by doing those things which enhance our appreciation at our level.
Thank you very much. Grantharaj Srimad Bhagavatam ki.