252. Equanimity is Bhakti

 

Krishna says, “Serene in the self by being engrossed in the Brahma (the eternal), neither grieves nor desires and beholds equality in all beings, such a yogi attains parama bhakti (supreme devotion) to Me (18.54). By that supreme devotion he knows My essence - what and who I am; after knowing these truths, he quickly makes his entry into ‘That’ (‘tat’)” (18.55). ‘Tat’ is interpreted as the ‘All’, the All-pervading Reality.

Firstly, these verses indicate that parama bhakti is beholding equality in all beings which transcends our general understanding of bhakti as devotion to Gods. Bhakti is unconditional love towards all beings by beholding equality. Secondly, parama bhakti is a state of desirelessness, not a ritual to fulfill our desires by satisfying our beloved Gods. Thirdly, this equanimity leads to the understanding of who He really is. It is like a salt doll dissolving in the ocean and becoming one with the ocean by shedding the illusion of its own existence.

Krishna further says, “While performing all kinds of actions, my devotees take full refuge in Me. By My grace, they attain the eternal and imperishable abode (18.56). Consciously dedicating all actions to Me, having Me as the supreme goal, taking shelter in the buddhi yoga (yoga of intellect) ever fix your mind in Me” (18.57).

In addition to being equanimous, the parama bhakt (supreme devotee) surrenders all their karmas (actions) to Him. They don’t have any ownership of karma (sense of doership or kartapan) nor look for a particular karma-phal (fruits of action). Krishna earlier assured Arjuna that he would incur no sin if he fought (performing a karma) by maintaining the balance between pleasure and pain; gain and loss; and victory and defeat (2.38). Essentially, this is the coherence of samatva (equanimity) and karma which answers many of our dilemmas as to how to perform any karma.

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