Changes

== Bhakti Marga ==

== Bhakti Marga ==

Bhakti marga or Bhakti Yoga is conspicuous by the absence of any other supporting cell other than the cell of bhakti itself.  It is very uniquely positioned on the tri-guna side of the game board on the 6th row immediately below the cell of ahankara (अहङ्कारः). The ladder leads directly to vaikuntha, which is also the starting point of this game, revealing that bhakti is eternal.  The player is reminded of the famous proclamation by Narada (son of Brahma) that bhakti begets itself, or bhakti is it's own fruit (स्वयं फलरूपतेति ब्रह्मकुमारः)<ref><nowiki>https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/नारदभक्तिसूत्रम्</nowiki> </ref>.  It does not need the support of anything else.  It is opposite the cell of viveka (विवेक) and the last cell before the sanyas ashram (सन्यास आश्रम), symbolising that one must give up all attachments before sanyas, and simultaneously suggesting the goal of sanyas to be a realisation of the eternal through devotion.

Bhakti marga or Bhakti Yoga is conspicuous by the absence of any other supporting cell other than the cell of bhakti itself.  Narada (son of Brahma), had in his Bhakti Sutra, famously proclaimed that bhakti begets itself, or bhakti is it's own fruit (स्वयं फलरूपतेति ब्रह्मकुमारः)<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra (Sutra [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/नारदभक्तिसूत्रम् 30]) </ref>.  It is very uniquely positioned on the tri-guna side of the game board signifying that bhakti applies to the believers of saguna (सगुण) devotion.  

 

The ladder from Bhakti leads directly to Vaikuntha, which is also the starting point of this game, revealing that bhakti is eternal (अमृतस्वरूपा च).  Narada in his Bhakti Sutra, defines the nature of Bhakti to be the nature of immortality.  Vaikuntha is a special cell on the game board.  The player can only leave this cell on a throw of 6 which signifies her engagement with the six passions (षड्रिपु).  Thus, she is in an eternal state of bliss until she throws a six.  The Sutra's 4-6 describe her divine experience ( यल्लब्ध्वा पुमान्सिद्धो भवत्यमृतो भवति तृप्तो भवति ॥४॥ यत्प्राप्य ना किञ्चिद्वाञ्छति न शोचति न द्वेष्टि न रमते नोत्साही भवति ॥५॥यज्ज्ञात्वा मत्तो भवति स्तब्धो भवत्यात्मारामो भवति ॥६॥).  Swami Chinmayananda in his commentary writes - "Having gained this Supreme Devotion, the devotee attains perfection and immortality adn becomes extremely satisfied [4].  Having attained which (Devotion) she cares for nothing, never grieves never hates, never delights in anything and she finds no urge or enthusiasm for sense enjoyment [5].  Having known which (Devotion) one becomes intoxicated, silent, and enjoys in the Self [6]."  Thus is the nature of Bhakti beautifully enunciated.

 

Bhakti is the last cell on the 6th row and the last landing point in the vanaprastha ashram (वानप्रस्थाश्रम). It is also the "gate to sanyas" (सन्यास आश्रम).  Narada's Bhakti Sutras 10-12 beautifully encode this experience of the player (अन्याश्रयाणां त्यागोऽनन्यता ॥१०॥ लोकवेदेषु तदनुकूलाचरणं तद्विरोधिषूदासीनता च ॥११॥ भवतु निश्चयदाढ्यादूर्ध्वं शास्त्ररक्षणम् ॥१२॥लोकोऽपि तावदेव भोजनादिव्यापारस्त्वाशरीरधारणावधि ॥१४॥)<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra (Sutra [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D 10-12])</ref> Swami Chinmayananda in his commentary writes - "Reununciation of all other supports is whole-heartedness (in Devotion) [10].  To perform all secular and religious functions that are congenial to Him and (to have) total indifference to all actions that are hostile to Him.. (that is "indifference") [11]. After having thus decided to live the life of whole hearted devotion, let there be protection of the Scriptural teachings [12]. The worldly duties in the various social contexts 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 [14]." Having thus conditioned the player, the Sutra's insist that the devotee should be fully conscious of her physical body and entirely aware of it's conditions.  she must obey faithfully, the strict injuctions of the Sastras (शास्त्र).  This will help her grow in her inner devotion and total dedication to the Lord<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra - Discourses by Swami Chinmayananda, 3rd Edition 1979, pages 18-22.</ref>.  The Lord Himself, insists  upon this when he says "तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ। ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि।"<ref>Gita Super Site (Bhag. Gita. [https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?htrskd=1&httyn=1&htshg=1&scsh=1&choose=1&&language=dv&field_chapter_value=16&field_nsutra_value=24 16.24])</ref>

 

In the very next Sutra Sri Narada warns of the consequences if this condition is not followed.  He says "अन्यथा पातित्यशङ्कया"; "Or else there is the fear of a fall (from the Spiritual path)"<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra (Sutra [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D 13])</ref><ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra - Discourses by Swami Chinmayananda, 3rd Edition 1979, page 22</ref>.  The snake of ahankara (अहङ्कारः) immediately above the cell beautifully encodes this warning, dropping the player down to maya.   

 

The cell of viveka (विवेक) and the opposite end of the 6th row encodes the narrative of Udhava and the Gopis of Vrindavan, and many more stories related to bhakti are hidden in different cells of the game board.

== References ==

== References ==