Bhakta Sangam

Dnyandev said to Nama, "Please explain to me in detail the path of devotion, bhakti, through which you have made God subject to yourself. How should one worship God? How should one listen and contemplate? What is the purpose of study? How does one gain courage? What should we understand as true peace? Please explain all of this to me in great detail. I have been wanting to ask you about these matters for a long time. Tell me about the means of liberation that you have obtained through your own experience."

With folded palms, Dnyandev pleaded with Nama, who, upon hearing his words, tightly embraced Dnyandev's feet. His voice choked with emotion as he replied, "I do not possess extensive knowledge of philosophy, so I have entrusted myself to your care. The Husband of Rukmini has placed my hand in yours. I know very little, and I am ignorant. Yet, you ask me about metaphysical knowledge. It's as if a wish-fulfilling tree were to become a beggar and go to the house of a miser. Or as if the Himalayas were to become hot and call out, 'Fan me with your garment.' It's like the sun asking someone, 'Light a lamp and bring it to my house.' Or as if the sky were to say, 'Give me an extended place to live.' Or as if the earth were to approach the king and request a written deed for land. Or as if the ocean desired to bathe in a pond. Or as if a wish-fulfilling cow were to ask an ordinary cow for permission to drink her milk. Similarly, you, humbling yourself, are asking me for metaphysical knowledge."

Nama held Dnyandev's feet while speaking these words. Dnyandev said to him, "Do not doubt in your heart. Let go of all dualistic thoughts and speak from your own experience. Nama, your clear speech seems deeper than the sea. The gathering of supreme divine joy is always cool and refreshing. My ears are eager to listen to it immediately. Let the nectar of divine knowledge rain down upon them. You are a refuge of rest, and that is why I have sought your company. Nama, you are the beloved of God, and you have made even Him subject to you. Apart from the emotion of love, why would one need any profound knowledge? Just as the great and small stars wander all night in the starry sky, and the North Star (Dhruva) appears very small but remains unmoving, Nama, you should never speak of your knowledge as insignificant. If a fire blazes high, it does not emit a completely pure light in the house. How can it claim equality with the pure light of a lamp? A lion may appear small in size, but no elephant can withstand its gaze. Therefore, Nama, your knowledge is superior due to the brightness of your courage. One may accumulate a large quantity of medicines, but they cannot be compared to nectar. Even learned individuals have no knowledge equal to yours. The flower of the cotton plant lacks fragrance, yet it is considered an adornment from the king to the common citizen. Similarly, Nama, your knowledge is seen as the savior of the universe. I am filled with intense desire and love to listen to it. Now, end your silence and fulfill my longing."

In response to Dnyandev's request, Namdev replied, "Listen with reverence to my experience, O Swami. One should have the determination to be indifferent to all worldly passions. Show unwavering compassion towards every living being. Do not be troubled by the thoughts of 'I' and 'you.' Do not be perplexed by worldly affairs. When one attains this state, their worship can be deemed pure. If these characteristics are absent, why adopt useless means to acquire them? One can outwardly bow while remembering the faults of the person being bowed to, just as a person with a strong appetite may eat delicacies even if there's a fly in them. To have no thoughts of superiority or inferiority in one's mind should be regarded as continuous worship, for the supreme divine joy within the heart never ceases. God permeates the entire universe, and one should keep their mind focused on this fixed thought. This is called contemplation, an everlasting cloud of joy. Now, you asked how one should listen. Just as a deer becomes absorbed in the sound of music and forgets itself, similarly, with the mind immersed in the subject, one should listen to services of praise dedicated to God. The wise and experienced refer to this as bhakti through listening. Just as a miser gives full attention to their business and accumulates wealth, one should be concerned about what is truly beneficial. This is contemplation. As for study, it is like a woman giving her love to a man who resides in her house, following popular customs. The chatak bird lives on the earth but constantly gazes at the clouds in the sky. The lotus resides in a pond but directs its thoughts towards the sun. While a cow grazes on the hillside, its mind is fixed on its calf. A miser, with their mind focused on wealth, roams around in the marketplace. A goldsmith, concentrating on stolen gold, shapes it into an ornament. The chakor bird, though far away, gazes at the moon. A woman carrying a water vessel on her head walks with unburdened hands, attentively focusing on the vessel while gossiping. A bee, with its thoughts fixed on a flower, hums in the air. Similarly, while performing one's outward domestic duties, God should reside in one's heart. Vitthal should completely dwell in one's heart, but His form should be seen in every creature. One should completely discard all wrong actions and thoughts and harbor love in one's heart. The truly great person is one who dissociates themselves from worldly matters, stands alone with qualities of goodness, wisdom, and courage, and wholeheartedly devotes themselves to loving bhakti of one God. One should regularly sit alone and engage in singing songs in praise of God. Any means contrary to this should be considered bondage. Thus, I have shared my experiences regarding the body, speech, and the feelings of the mind. However, the true speaker here is the Lord of Pandhari, the Husband of Rukmini, Shri Vitthal."

Hearing Nama's words, Dnyandev was greatly amazed and said, "There are many devotees of Vishnu, and in the future, there will be countless more, but Nama's teachings are extraordinary. We should not consider them in any way as deviating from the norm. Today, we have been blessed with a downpour of nectar. Such boundless joy and peace rarely occur in anyone. Therefore, contemplate it in your mind and let its cause and effect remain within you. Many scholars have written the Shastras, and numerous wise minds have gained fame. Many learned individuals have dedicated themselves to virtuous deeds, and many great personalities have been revered by others. Even though a person may understand the art of poetry, possess expertise in various fields, be highly active and eloquent, be well-versed in the Puranas, and strive for salvation, I do not perceive them as equal to Nama. While there may be jivanmuktas who possess knowledge of the soul, are familiar with the philosophy of yoga, and immerse themselves in contemplation, I find no one among them comparable to Nama. Yogis may sit on iron spikes and live among people, detached from worldly affairs, but throughout the three worlds, there is no one like Nama. Nama's method of bhakti is understood by none other than the Husband of Rukmini, the Lord of Pandhari, who stands on a brick."