98 - Imbibing Divine Characteristics | Swami Tattwamayananda

9th chapter, 30th verse: “Even a wicked person, if he takes a decision to turns to God with one sided devotion - at that decisive moment, he is actually liberated. Such a person should be regarded as a noble person.”<br /><br />Such a sincere decision brings positive changes to our mental system. It purifies our vrittis, vasanas and samskaras. All psychological obstacles are gone. With that decision, we have boarded the bus and are bound to reach the destination. We are then endowed with a new sense of inner fulfillment and contentment.<br /><br />The story of Sadasiva Brahmendra Saraswati is a good example of such a spiritual transformation. In early days, he was arrogant and defeated many scholars in logic and debates. Upon hearing this news, his guru rebuked him and asked him one question: “When are you going to keep quiet.” In response, he did not utter a word, closed his mouth with one hand, and signaled with his other hand – “Today and now.” He then practiced non-speaking, both vocally and mentally. He went on to become a great mystic.<br /><br />9th chapter, 34th verse: “Fill your mind with the thought of Me (God), become My devotee, resign yourself to My will, undergo your rituals, keep your heart/mind steadfast and fixed on Me – then you will eventually reach Me.”<br /><br />This verse represents the harmonization of the three Yogas. One can realize God through any of the three Yogas. Practice rituals with devotion (Bhakti Yoga) or think of God all the time (Jnana Yoga) or do everything as an offering to God (Karma Yoga).<br /><br />In the Bhagavata Purana, Prahalada explains Navadha Bhakti (nine devotional disciplines) as a way to give a spiritual orientation to all conceivable human activities. These nine disciplines are: Sravanam (Hearing about God ), Kirtanam (Chanting His Name and Glory), Vishnu smaranam (Remembering Him), Pada sevanam (Serving His Lotus Feet), Archanam (Worshipping Him), Vandanam (Prostrating before Him), Dasyam (Being His Servant), Sakhyam (Befriending Him), and Atma Nivedanam (Of