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Narada Bhakti Sutras
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

Possibly this is greatest book defining what is Bhakthi written by Narada who was the greatest among Bhakthas of Lord Narayana.

1.Atha tho Bakthim vyakyasyama

Now I will explain in detail what is meant by devotion to God(Bhakthi)[1].

2.Saa tasmin Parama prema roopa

Devotion to God is personification of intense(highest) love towards Him.

3.Amrutha swaroopa cha

It also is deathless or as sweet as nectar (or it also confers deathlessness to one)

4.Yallabhathva puman siddho bhavathi, amrutho bhavathi, truptho bhavathi

One who gets it becomes perfect, immortal and contended.

5.Yath prapya kinchid vanchadhi , na sochathi, na dweshati, na ramathe na uthsahi bhavathi

One who gets it desires not, worries not, hates not , enjoys not, and does not get excited.
.
6.Yat gnathwa matho bhavathi, sthabhdho bhavathi, athmaramo bhavathi.

One who attains it becomes intoxicated (be in stupor), still and drunk with self(soul)

7.Saa na kamaya mana , nirodha roopathwad

It is not desire generating as it is by nature a form of renunciation.
.
8.Nirodasthu loka veda vyapara nyasa

Giving away the social and Vedic customs including religious activities is termed as a form of this renunciation.

9.Tasmin ananyatha that, virodhi shoothaaseena tha cha.

To be one with Him and complete indifference in things which are contrary to him is termed as a form of renunciation.

10.Anyasrayanaan tyage ananyatha.

To sacrifice dependence on any thing but Him is exclusiveness(that which does not have any other thing but Him)

11.Loke vedeshu thatha anukoolasaranam that, virodhi shoothassenatha.

In ordinary life and in Vedic percepts, to do that which is beneficial to Him is exclusiveness(that which does not have any other thing but Him)

12.Bhavathu nischaya dartyathurthvam sasthra rakshanam.

After attaining this state rock stable firmness in Vedic injunctions follow,

13.Anyadha padithya sankhaya

If you do not do this , there is a doubt of a possibility of degradation.

14.Lokopi thava deva kinthu bhojanani vyaparasthva sareera daranavathi

Obey the ways of the world till you attain renunciation, do activities like eating which should continue till the body exists.

15.Tal lakshanathi vachyanthe nana madha bedanath.

The differing definitions of Bhakthi (:devotion”) as viewed by many are listed.

16.Poojadhishwa anuraga ithi Parasara rya.

Intense desire to Worship Him with loving affection , is “devotion” according to Sage Parasara.

17.Kadhadhi shweethi Garga

Intense desire to hear his stories is “devotion” according to Sage Garga.

18.Athma rathya virodhe nethi Sandilya

“Devotion” should be done without conflict to the happiness of the soul, according to sage Sandilya.

19.Naradasthu thadarpithagi, lacharatha that, vismarane parama vyakulathethi.

But according to sage Narada, “devotion” is doing all duties on behalf of Him, and become extremely sad even if you happen to forget Him for a second.

20.Asthy evam evam

This “devotion” is like each of the above views.

21.Yada vraja gopikanam.

This can be best illustrated by the “devotion” of the Gopis of Gokula.

22.Thathrapi tha mahatmyam jnana vismruthya bhavaatha.

In this case at no stage His greatness is ever forgotten.

23.Thad viheenam Jaranam iva

For any “devotion” forgetting His greatness is like an illicit love affair.

24,Nasthyeva tasmin that sukha sukhi twam.

All actions done as a result of this “devotion”(love) is to offer and enhance His pleasure
or
All actions of this “devotion” are meant for pleasing Him only.

25.Saa thu karma jnana yogebhyo apyadhigathara.

This “devotion” is far greater than the path of action (karma), the path of knowledge (gyana), and the path of disciplined contemplation (yoga).
.

26.Phala roopathwad.

Because this “devotion” is like the fruit attained by any of these methods..

27.Iswarasyapyabhi mana dweshitwath dainya priyathwacha

Because God also does not like pride and likes humility, “devotion” as a method is better than Karma yoga and Gnana yoga

28.Tasya gnana meva Sadana mithyeke

Some believe that knowledge alone is the path of attainment.

29.Anyonyasryathwa mithyanye

Some others believe that Knowledge and devotion are interdependent on each other

30.Swayam phala roopathethi Brahma kumara

The son of Brahma (sage Narada) believes that “devotion” is its own result

31.Rajagruha Bhojanaadhishu tadaiva drushtatwad

It is just like glancing at a palace or being informed of sumptuous food .

32. Naa thena Raja paridosha kshudha shanthirva

Glancing at the palace does not make the king happy nor hearing of sumptuous food remove his hunger

.Similarly knowing about “devotion”, does not help you at all. You should have “devotion”.

33. Tasmad saiva grahya mumukshubhi

So all those who want to get out of the chain of births and rebirths should only practice “devotion”

34.Tasya sadhanani gayanthy acharya

The learned ones therefore sing about the results of “devotion”

35.Thathu Vishaya tyagath, Sanga thyagath chcha

This “devotion “ reaches completion only when sacrifice is made of pleasurable things and mundane social contacts.

36.Avyavruthabha janath

It reaches completion by forever ceaseless chanting

37.Lokebhi Bhagawath guna sravana keerthanad

It also reaches completion by hearing always or singing about the qualities of God.

38.Mukhythasthu Mahad krapayaiva Bhagawat krupa leasad Vaa

But most importantly it reaches completion only by the grace of Great learned people and by the divine grace.

39. Mahad sangasthu durlabhe , agamyo amogascha

The company or the grace of great learned people is difficult to get and is not easily attained and never goes waste.

40.Labhyadhobhi that krupayaiva

The company of great learned people is got only through the grace of God.

41.Tasmim thajjane bhedha bhavath

There is no difference whatsoever between God and his people(devotees)

42.Thadeva sadyatham Thadeva sadyatham

So search for the company of great learned people, for that can be accomplished by that method only.