The Nārada Bhakti Sûtra
The Nārada Bhakti Sûtra is a popular Hindu text on the practice of devotion. Reading it can help prepare you for Interfaith Dialogue.
WHY SHOULD A CHRISTIAN STUDY A HINDU TEXT?
Reading important texts from other world religions is essential for becoming equipped for Interfaith Dialogue.
The Nārada Bhakti Sûtra is a key text from Hinduism that non-Hindus generally find interesting and readable.
If you are a Christian and if you have read the Nārada Bhakti Sûtra, you will be further equipped for Interfaith Dialogue.
You will have a powerful tool to build bridges with people who have a devotional practice. And with Hindus you meet.
INTRODUCTION
The Nārada Bhakti Sûtra was reportedly spoken by the famous sage, Narada. He was also known as Narad Muni.
There are eighty-four verses. Some translators group them into nine chapters; others have five chapters.
On this page, we added our own section headings. We based them on the topic being discussed.
OUTLINE
Sûtras 1-14. Give up other spiritual practices
Sûtras 15-24. What is Devotion?
Sûtras 25-33. Comparing Devotion with other Spiritualities
Sûtras 34-45. How to Practice Devotion
Sûtras 46-50. How to Escape Illusion
Sûtras 51 to 66. The Nature of Devotion
Sûtras 67 to 84. Devotion is the Greatest
GIVE UP OTHER SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Sûtra 1. Now, therefore, the doctrine of devotion we shall expound.
Sûtra 2. That (devotion) is indeed of the nature of supreme love in (directed towards) God.
love in (directed towards) God. The essence of devotion is love for God.
Sûtra 3. The supreme love for the Lord, called devotion divine, is of the nature of immortality also.
of the nature of immortality. Love for God is the essence of eternal life.
Sûtra 4. Having gained this supreme devotion, the devotee attains perfection and immortality and becomes extremely satisfied.
becomes extremely satisfied. To be in love with God is fulfilling.
Sûtra 5. Having attained which (devotion) he cares for nothing, never grieves, never hates, never delights in anything and he finds no urge or enthusiasm for sense enjoyment.
Sûtra 6. Having known which (devotion) one becomes intoxicated, silent, and enjoys in the Self.
one becomes intoxicated. A Dutch philosopher named Baruch Spinoza was called “the God-Drunk Man.”
His relationship with God was so rich that he was intoxicated on God.
Sûtra 7. Because it is of the nature of renunciation there is no element of desire in that love divine.
renunciation. In this context, what does the word “renunciation” mean?
Sûtra 8. The renunciation, indeed, is in the total giving up of all secular and religious activities.
In this context, the word “renunciation” means giving up other activities, both secular and religious.
Sûtra 9. In the Lord whole-hearted, single-minded devotion, and in all else that are contrary to it (devotion), complete indifference -this is the nature of renunciation. (nirodha).
One is to renounce all other activities so as to be able to wholeheartedly practice devotion. Single-minded devotion.
Sûtra 10. Renunciation of all other supports is whole-heartedness (in devotion).
Renunciation of all other supports. One is to renounce everything but devotion.
is whole-heartedness. Then one is wholehearted.
Sûtra 11. To perform all secular and religious functions that are congenial to Him and (to have) total indifference to all action that are hostile to Him … (that is indifference).
Sûtra 12. After having thus decided to live the life of whole-hearted devotion, let there be protection of the scriptural teachings.
Sûtra 13. Or else, there is the fear of a fall (from the spiritual path).
Sûtra 14. The worldly duties in the various social contacts are also to be performed only to that extent (so long as the consciousness of the external world continues with us), but activities such as eating, etc., indeed will continue as long as the body exists.
The worldly duties. We have many duties in life.
are also to be performed. We are not to renounce them.
WHAT IS DEVOTION?
Sûtra 15. Its (devotion or bhakti’s) characteristics are being described now; due to the existence of different opinions.
Sûtra 16. “In the worship of the Lord with deep love and firm attachment”, thus declares the son of Parasara, Sri Veda Vyasa.
the worship of the Lord. Worship is a characteristic of devotion.
deep love. Being deeply in love with the Lord is a characteristic of devotion.
firm attachment. To be firmly rooted in one’s relationship with the Lord is a characteristic of devotion.
Sûtra 17. “A great attachment to listening to the stories of His glories etc. is bhakti,” according to Maharshi Garga.
listening to the stories of His glories. A characteristic of devotion is that we want to encounter the inspired texts about the Lord.
For us Christians, that means the Bible.
Sûtra 18. “The devotion for God, which is not opposed to attachment to the inner-Self is true devotion,” according to Sage Shandilya.
Sûtra 19. According to Devarshi Narada, “total dedication of all actions at the altar of the Lord, and at all moments of forgetfulness of the Lord, excruciating pang” is supreme love-divine (bhakti).
dedication of all actions. Dedicating our actions to the glory of the Lord is a characteristic of devotion.
Sûtra 20. Let it be exactly as described above.
Sûtra 21. Just as the love of the Gopis of Vraja.
Sûtra 22. Even there, in this condition of total love, there is no danger of forgetting the glory of Lord.
this condition of total love. Being totally in love with the Lord is a characteristic of devotion.
Sûtra 23. Love without the knowledge of His true nature (is) like the illicit love for the paramour.
Sûtra 24. In the profane love for the paramour the sense of happiness in the happiness given to another, surely does not exist at all.
paramour. This word means “lover.”
COMPARING DEVOTION WITH OTHER SPIRITUALITIES
Sûtra 25. The supreme devotion (bhakti) is indeed, as a technique even superior to the path of action (karma), the path of knowledge (gyana), and the path of disciplined contemplation (yoga).
The supreme devotion. Devotion is the most excellent spiritual path.
As a review, in Hinduism, a spiritual path is called a yoga.
In Hinduism, there are four main spiritual paths:
- Devotion (Bhakti Yoga)
- Action (Karma Yoga)
- Knowledge (Jnana Yoga)
- Meditation (Raja Yoga)
Those four paths have strong parallels with Christian spirituality. See our article: Parallels between Christian and Hindu spirituality.
Sûtra 26. Because it is of the nature of the fruits of all yogas.
Sûtra 27. Also because of God’s dislike for egoism and because of the love for meekness (devotion alone is superior).
God’s dislike for egoism. The Lord dislikes human egoism.
But in our day, many leaders who are esteemed by Christians are profoundly egocentric.
Most Christians have forgotten, or perhaps even rejected, the nature of true leadership.
Leadership is to humbly serve the needs of other people:
Mark 9:35. He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
Sûtra 28. “For the love divine, knowledge alone is the means,” so say some Acharyas.
knowledge alone. This refers to Jnana Yoga.
so say. Some experts say Jnana Yoga is the highest spirituality.
Acharyas. This means a highly learned person. An expert.
The Nārada Bhakti Sûtra disagrees with such people. It says devotion, or Bhakti Yoga, is the highest.
Sûtra 29. “Mutually dependent”, declare others.
Mutually dependent. This is a claim that the four spiritualities are interdependent.
However, the point of the Nārada Bhakti Sûtra is that devotion, or Bhakti Yoga, is the highest.
Sûtra 30. “It (bhakti) is its own fruit” thus say the sons of Brahma the creator.
Sûtra 31. Because it is seen demonstrated as such in the examples of places and dinner etc.
Sûtra 32. Because of it (a mere knowledge alone) neither the favor of the king nor the appeasement of hunger can ever happen.
Sûtra 33. Therefore, that supreme love for God alone is to be sought after by seekers of complete Liberation.
supreme love for God. That is, devotion.
alone. That is, devotion, and devotion alone.
HOW TO PRACTICE DEVOTION
Sûtra 34. Ancient teachers sing differently upon the means of developing this devotion in the human bosom.
sing differently. That is, they have different teachings.
Sûtra 35. Indeed the sources of devotion are explored and exploited fully through (1) renunciation of sense-objects and also by (2) giving up attachments to being around.
renunciation of sense-objects. That is, not partaking of pleasant things.
Sûtra 36. (Also) (3) through continuous tender and loving service of the Lord.
Sûtra 37. (Again) (4) by hearing and singing the glories of the Lord, even while engaged in the activities of the world.
Sûtra 38. Primarily it (pure devotion) is gained (5) through the grace of great souls, or (6) through a little of the divine grace.
Sûtra 39. To come in contact with a great soul is indeed extremely difficult. It is impossible to know them fully. Yet, it is infallible in its effect.
To come in contact with a great soul. Have you ever met a great soul?
Sûtra 40. Nevertheless, by the grace of God alone, great souls are attained.
Sûtra 41. Because between God and His devotees, there is no sense of difference.
there is no sense of difference. As we grow closer to the Lord, we become more like him.
Sûtra 42. That alone is to be accomplished: that alone be accomplished.
Sûtra 43. Evil company is only fit to be renounced by all means.
Evil company. Do you associate with people who are evil?
only fit to be renounced. If you associate with an evil person, you must renounce that person.
by all means. You must exert all effort to end your relationship with an evil person.
Sûtra 44. For it is the cause for creating lust, anger, delusion, loss of memory, loss of discrimination, and ultimately our utter ruin.
Sûtra 45. Though appearing as a ripple (in the beginning) these (anger, lust, etc.,) by evil companionship can become an ocean.
HOW TO ESCAPE ILLUSION
Sûtra 46. Who crosses maya (illusion)? Who really crosses maya? (1) He who gives up all attachments to sense-objects: (2) He who serves the great devotees and (3) He who renounces all sense of possession in himself.
Bhaktivedanta translation. Who can cross beyond illusion? One who abandons material association, serves the sages, and becomes selfless.
maya. This Sanskrit word means “illusion.”
cross beyond illusion. Many people live their lives completely enveloped by illusion. To become spiritually free, they must escape illusion.
Sûtra 47. (4) he who keeps himself in a solitary place of quietude, (5) he who plucks off his bondage with the world by the roots, (6) (he who) goes beyond the influences of his gunas, (7) (he who) renounces all his anxieties for acquiring and maintaining.
Sûtra 48. (8) he who relinquishes the fruits of actions, (9) who renounces all ego-centric actions, and thus (10) becomes free from the play of the pairs of opposites.
Sûtra 49. (11) he who renounces even the Vedas and (12) gains a pure unbroken flow of devotion.
Sûtra 50. He crosses, indeed he crosses. He helps others also to cross.
THE NATURE OF DEVOTION
Sûtra 51. The nature of devotion is indescribable, indefinable.
indescribable. Much of the spiritual life is indescribable.
Sûtra 52. Like the taste enjoyed by the dumb.
Sûtra 53. In some rare ones who are fit recipients this (such pure love) is found to manifest.
rare ones who are fit recipients. Are you a fit recipient of God’s choicest blessings?
Sûtra 54. (This pure love) without attributes, without the poison of desires, every moment increasing, unbroken, subtlest, of the nature of sheer immediate experience.
every moment increasing. The blessings from God can continue to increase without end.
Sûtra 55. Having reached the supreme love (that), the devotee sees (feels, comprehends) that alone, hears that alone, speaks of that alone, and thinks (contemplates upon) that alone.
Sûtra 56. The secondary devotion is of three kinds – according to the difference in the mental disposition (of the devotee) or according to the type of discontentment (in the devotees).
Bhaktivedanta translation. Secondary devotional service is of three kinds, according to which of the three material modes predominates, or according to which material motivation — distress and so on — brings one to bhakti.
Sûtra 57. Than each succeeding one, each preceding one become the nobler (the greater).
Sûtra 58. Than all other paths (yogas) devotion is readily available – easily attainable.
devotion is readily available. The practice of devotion is not difficult.
easily attainable. The practice of devotion is easy to do.
Sûtra 59. Because love depends on no other proof, it in itself being of the nature of a proof, love is self-evident.
Sûtra 60. Also because love is of the nature of peace and it is of the nature of supreme bliss.
Sûtra 61. No worry or anxiety should be entertained at the worldly losses, as it is the nature of a true devotee to constantly surrender his limited-self and all its secular and sacred activities to the Lord of his heart.
constantly surrender. The nature of a true disciple is to constantly surrender ourselves to the Lord.
Sûtra 62. Till such a consummate love is not gained or on attaining the consummate love -worldly activities are not to be abandoned. But certainly we must diligently pursue love and learn to renounce our anxiety to enjoy the
fruit of our activities.
Sûtra 63. (The seeker should not) listen to descriptions of women, wealth, atheists and enemies.
Sûtra 64. Pride vanity, and such other negative urges of the mind should be given up.
Sûtra 65. Having dedicated all activities unto Him, one, should turn all his desire, anger, pride, etc., towards him alone.
towards him alone. The practice of devotion calls us to focus on the Lord alone.
Sûtra 66. Going beyond the three-factors of experiences, love, consisting of constant service, as in the case of a devoted servant or wife, alone should be practiced.
DEVOTION IS THE GREATEST
Sûtra 67. Devotees, whose sole, single goal is the Lord Himself and whose single-pointed devotion towards the Lord is for its on sake, are the primary (best).
Seeking the kingdom of God is to be our number one priority. Yet for many of us, our use of time and money show that it is a low priority. Read more »
Sûtra 68. When (they) with throats choked with emotion, body covered with horripulation and tears flowing down, converse with each other in broken words, they sanctify their family and tribe, nay, the very earth itself they
come to glorify.
they sanctify their family and tribe. A holy person can have a beneficial effect on other people.
Sûtra 69. (They) sanctify the sacred places of pilgrimage, add glory to actions, and lend authority to the scriptures.
Sûtra 70. (For) they live absorbed in Him.
Are you absorbed in the Most High God?
Sûtra 71. The past generations rejoice in their fulfillment, the divine beings in heaven dance in joy and this earth itself becomes endowed with a spiritual Savior.
dance in joy. Can you dance for your joy in the Lord?
Sûtra 72. Among them (the perfected saints) there are no distinctions based upon caste, culture, beauty, family, wealth or profession.
Sûtra 73. For they are of His own nature divine.
Sûtra 74. Vain disputation and discussion should not be entered into.
Sûtra 75. (Vain disputations are to be given up) because there can be endless, diverse views and all mere arguments become ultimately inconclusive only.
Sûtra 76. Books on devotion should be reflected upon and their instructions must be pursued diligently.
Sûtra 77. Waiting for a propitious time, when pleasure, pain, desire, profit etc. are not troubling you, even half a second should not be wasted.
Sûtra 78. Virtues, like non-injury to others, truthfulness, cleanliness, compassion, faith in Lord, etc., should be consistently cultivated.
Sûtra 79. Always, free from, in all mental anxiety, the Lord alone is to be invoked and sought after, with all factors of our personality.
Sûtra 80. When invoked, He indeed reveals Himself and makes the devotee realize His absolute nature divine.
Sûtra 81. Of the three truths (time or paths) devotion alone is the greatest; indeed, devotion alone is the greatest.
devotion alone is the greatest. This is a great summary of the Nārada Bhakti Sûtra.
Sûtra 82. (1) Love for glorifying His qualities, (2) love for His divine form, (3) love for worshipping Him, (4) love for remembering Him, (5) love for doing service for Him, (6) love for friendship in Him, (7) love for the Lord as one’s own child, (8) love as that to a beloved, (9) love for a total self-offering at His Feet, (10) love for complete absorption in Him, (11) and love as expressed in the pang of separation from Him – thus though love is one only, it is expressed in eleven different modes.
Sûtra 83. Thus declare they, who are fearless of other people and their prattlings, their unanimous opinion- they who are masters of the path of devotion, such as Sanatkumara Vyasa, Suka, Shandilya, Garga, Vishnu, Kaundinya, Sesha, Uddhava, Aruni, Bali, Hanuman, and Vibhishana.
Sûtra 84. He who believes and has faith in this exposition, given out by Narada as taught (commanded) by Lord Siva, he gains the love of God and attains his objective, aye, attains his beloved goal.
RESOURCES
Sankaracharya – the translation we used on this page.
Internet Archive – a translation and commentary by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Internet Archive – a translation by Prem Prakash. We like this translation. But it is protected by copyright. So we have not used it on this page.
Narada Bhakti Sutras – a translation and commentary by Sri Swami Sivananda.
We are using a translation of the Nārada Bhakti Sûtra that is available at Sankaracharya. As of this writing, it appears to be free of copyright restrictions and in the Public Domain.
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.