Pre-eminence of devotion
Attribute of devotion is unique ;
whichever heart it overtakes,
It outstands all others in shine. (1)
The devotee should offer himself entirely,
his body mind and wealth ;
Should not look for a return.
He should stare at the image of his beloved
In the core of his heart.(2)
Whosoever adores the feet of his guru,
Lives a happy life and attains a godly state at death (3)
Devotion removes all fear ;
Grants true and final knowledge ;
All observances - Japa, tapa, puja and dhyana
Are futile without devotion(4)
God incarnates himself again and again,
For the sake of his devotees.
Cuts all threads of snare instantly;
This is his promise. (5)
The knowledgeable saints and sages,
Know the essence of nectar, that devotion is ;
They drink its draught after draught ;
Earn the name and attain salvation (6)
Bhakti is the herb of immortality undoubtedly,
It eradicates the disease and takes to the stage of salvation (7)
So dark is the colour of devotion
that all other colours loose shine
Intoxicated of devotion, remains submerged
In the love of god (8)
Under the intoxication of devotion
One loses awareness of the body and mind ;
Care for comfort and discomfort ceases to cause
Anxiety in his mind. Thus says Shan+kara(9)
The creeper of devotion spreads,
Bears the fruit of virtue ;
Mercy, forgiveness and contentment
Get enlivened to bring fulfilment (10)
The fragrance of the Bhakti flower
Pleases the devotee, who enjoys it as a bee ;
It sweetens the inner and the outer
And vouchsafes the state unchanging (11)
The field of bhakti is inestimable ;
When the crop ripens, gives four fruits -
piety, the prosperity, the worldly success, and salvation
In nourishes the human being - the body, mind and soul.(12)
Whosoever engrosses his mind
In adoration - be he a trader, a servant,
or a woman - dedicates his narrow self,
achieves riddance of ego and greed. (13)
Bhakti is the unique castle
impregnable to all perils and foes ;
The soul is safe and happy
In this castle of bhakti (14)
O the mind of Å anakra !
listen carefully,
Become a bhakta and remove the obstacles
I assure you
You will enjoy intense happiness and
You will have resolute dedication ;
Being a man, you will feel fulfilled ;
Your soul will be purified of all the impurities (15)