Dear Sri vELukkuDi swAmin: Thank you for this wonderful write up delineating the differences between bhakti and prapatti. It is only because of perumAL's nirhEthuka krupA that we have the good fortune of receiving such insights from you. aDiyEn has a question in this context: 1. Bhakti is karmAdheenam, meaning that bhakti is achieved as a part of the progression of the karmic cycle (karma, gnyAna and bhakti as steps in the evolutionary ladder of growth of the jeevathma) 2. Prapatti, to the contrary, is a state of surrender using Him as the upAyam, seems outside the kArmic cycle. So, by performing prapatti, are we dissociating the effects of karma on the jeevatma? Meaning, when we pursue His lotus feet as means of liberation, are we automatically liberated from karma vAsanas? or does this liberation from kArmic effects occur at the end of the prapanna's lifetime? aDiyEn rAmanuja dAsan, sridhar ----- Original Message ----- From: Velukkudi Krishnan To: Bhakti Cc: Ramanuja Group Sent: Friday, January 25, 2002 9:33 AM Subject: [ramanuja] Differences between bhakti and prapatti. Dear Bhagavatas, Adiyen saw a question on bhakti and prapatti a few days back. Learned members would have replied already. Adiyen would like to add a few more lines to that. Bhakti is the path of devotion. It is meditating towards the lord, longing for his union, lamenting on his separation, doing as much service as possible to his pleasure. Karma and gnana are ancillaries for bhakti. Bhakti is a "upAya" - "means" to reach our Lord. Bhakti is sAdhya upAya - achieved by our efforts or even known as pravritti marga - endeavouring in action. Bhakti as a upAya is known as sAdhana. Prapatti - is "absolute surrender" to the lotus feet of Sriman Narayana. In other words having faith that Sriman narayana's lotus feet is the upAya (means). Prapatti also known as nyAsa or saraNAgati is siddha upAya - ie "means" that is pre existing and not achieved by our efforts (unlike bhakti). This is so because the lotus feet is not achieved or created by our efforts. It is already existing and ever waiting to respond. This is nivritti marga - abstaining from action - abstaining from doing anything as means for liberation other that requesting and accepting the Lord as the means. Reference for Bhakti - manmanA bhava. gItA 9th chapter last sloka. Reference for prapatti - tvamEva upAyabhUtO mE bhava iti prArthanA mati: saraNAgati:. For easier understanding let us draw a chart differentiating bhakti and prapatti. ---------------- Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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