THE SPIRITUAL PATH

The goal of bhakti is the annulment of duality and the attainment of oneness, a dvaitabhaava.   The ankola seed becomes one with the tree indistinguishable from it.  The creeper twines round the tree for the rest of its life. The needle getting magnetized itself becomes a magnet. The Saadhvee loses her separate individuality in the personality of her pati, her lord. All the rivers of different names and forms lose their distinctness when they become one with the sea.  What was the river water be comes the seawater.  

These examples also show that God is our source and our sanctuary. Ultimately being oneself is to realize one's true Self, which is God.  'That is the consummation of Bhakti.  True prayer is not asking for this and that which are alien to us.  Which are things outside of us.  The true devotee prayer to God to give himself to himself. "Give me my own nature" madeeyam eva svaroopam dehi. In the last analysis since each man's true nature is God himself 'Give me to myself' means give thyself to me'.

This truth is wonderfully brought out in another prayer that Sri Sankara Sang in his Saundaryalahari.  The prayer starts with the words  

"Bhavaani tvam daase mayi vitara drshtim sakarunaam." 

 Addressing, the Mother of the universe its Bhavaani, Sri Sankara prays: 'Be pleased to cast thy gracious look oil me, Thy servant'.  The interesting words here are, 'Bhavaani tvam', which mean 'Oh Bhavani!’ Thou' (mayest be pleased to shed Thy gracious look on me.) 

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