Types and Levels of Bhagti (Meditation)
Bhai Govind ji alongside Bhai Kahnu ji and his son, Bhai Maeaa ji once asked Guru Amar Das Ji to bless them teaching that will enable them gain all good virtues – Guru Ji said in this world, the most supreme virtue is to do Parmatma Bhagti (meditation of the Creator). Listening to Guru ji's answer they further asked the method to do Bhagti. They requested Guru Ji to enlighten them so that they can develop the love to meditate. Guru Ji then explained three levels of Bhagti to them.
- Listen to Guru Ji’s teachings with full faith and concentration
- Perform Katha and Kirtan
- To remember Parmatma (Simran) with each and every breath and consistently while performing all worldly affairs.
- To keep consciousness and focus in the lotus feet of the Satguru Ji and His holy elevated devotees.
- Offer food first to Guru Mahraj (Bhog lagave) and then to meditating devotees of the Guru and also offer clothing to them.
- Attend Sat-sanggat in Gurdwara, do Bhandna (Metha tek) and then circumambulate (parkarma) around the Guru Ji. Burn incense, light ghee light, sprinkle perfume and flowers.
- Acknowledge Parmatma as the Master and treat oneself as His servant. Recognise that the body, mind and wealth are Parmatma’s gifts. The relationship between a Parmatna and us, the servants must akin to a wife who only thinks or serves her husband and no one else.
- Form a relationship by making Parmatma your best friend and accept His will readily and never question Him - to trust that whatever a true friend do is for our good because he would always want the best for you.ਮੀਤੁ ਕਰੈ ਸੋਈ ਹਮ ਮਾਨਾ ॥
Whatever my Friend does, I accept.
ਮੀਤ ਕੇ ਕਰਤਬ ਕੁਸਲ ਸਮਾਨਾ ॥੧॥
My Friend's actions are pleasing to me. ||1||
(Ang 187, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) - Acknowledge that the mind and body belongs to Parmatma. Abandon worldly attachments and see all padarath (treasures/wealth) as given by Parmatma.
b) Guru ji then proceeded to explain about the second level of Bhagti, which is known as Prema Bhagti (meditation of love) and there is no other Bhagti more superior than this one. Just like how a green unripe fruit from the tree is bitter, it will eventually change colour to yellow or red and the taste is very sweet when the fruit is ripe. Similarly, a person who has love for Parmatma, just like the unripe fruit, he exhibits these characteristics:
He takes deep breaths, and sometimes unable to speak. At times he sings the Parmatma’s praises and at other times, he just sits down quietly. As his loves for Parmatma increases, his appetite for food and thirst for water reduces. He immerses deeper in love for Parmatma day and night. His pain and restlessness increase due to separation from Parmatma. He becomes pale and he attentively listens whenever someone talks about his beloved Parmatma.- Acknowledging Parmatma’s presence within, his love for Mahraj keeps on increasing. As his company with the saints (enlightened beings) increases, he begins to see Parmatma in everyone. Then his face starts glowing and his mind becomes satisfied at the same time stops wandering.
- He then eventually begins to feel bliss within through the realisation of real-self (Atma). He achieves the steadfastness of the mind and focuses his mind on abhiyaas and gyan, reaching the third level of Bhagti, Pra-Bhagti.
- Adhyai 38, Raas 1, Sri Gurpratap Suraj Parkash Granth
3 Types of Benevolence & Best Type of Donation
Bhai Lalo, Bhai Jivanda & Bhai Gopala once asked Guru Amar Das Ji to give them teaching that can lead them to salvation. Guru Ji replied that there is nothing as good as being a benevolent person (Parupkari). Guru Ji then further explained that there are three ways through which one can perform selfless service for the benefit of others.
1. Wealth
Have compassion on the poor and orphans by donating things like food and clothes. Give as much as you can to relieve person’s difficulty.
Need of Gurbani and Rain Analogy
A Pandit once asked Guru Amar Das Ji on the need of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to recite Gurbani when there were already other Dharm Granths like Ved & Purans available. Guru Ji answered his question by giving a rain analogy in two shabads of Raag Gauree. Guru Ji said the clouds pour their rain down upon the earth, but isn't there water within the earth as well? Even though there is water in form of wells, it can’t be used for crops just like that – only certain amount of crops field can be watered & a lot of effort is needed.
