Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, a revered spiritual leader and scholar, has dedicated his life to guiding seekers on the path of divine love and devotion. His teachings emphasize the profound significance of exclusive devotion (raganuga bhakti) in the journey of self-realization and union with the Divine.
As Swami Prakashanand Saraswati describes…
In the last issue it was explained that in the present age of Kali yug, the path of bhakti yog is the direct path of God realization.
There are hundreds of scriptural verses which indicate that it is only exclusive devotion (raganuga bhakti) which ensures the protection of Krishn, liberation, Divine vision, and the bliss of Divine-Love. Krishn Himself says in the Gita, “Ananyashchin tayanto mam…” 9/22 “I take total responsibility and ensure the Divine attainment of those who adore Me and remember Me exclusively with their heart, mind and soul”. And further, “Bhaktya twananyaya shakya…” 11/54 “Through single-minded devotion I can be seen in My Divine Form”. The great sage Narad ji defines the word exclusiveness in the Narad-bhakti- sutra “Anyashryanam tyagonanyta”.
“Giving up the hope of all but One, Radha-Krishn, is called exclusiveness”. Exclusive devotion begins after gaining the understanding that our intention for practicing devotion should not be for material gain but to receive Krishn-love. Only a true seeker of Divine-love can become exclusive in his devotion.
When the fickleness of the mind subsides and is established in the exclusive love of Krishn, the devotee experiences the true pleasure of devotion.
That is why Krishn says in the Gita “Sarva dharman parityajya…” “Leave all rites, meditations and formal devotions and come to Me with exclusive faith and love. I will redeem your sins, destroy the veil of ignorance, and I will make you Divine”. After knowing this promise, if we are really desirous of Divine pleasure, we should not hesitate to become exclusively devoted to Krishn.
Some people hesitate to leave their former worship to start Krishn devotion. They feel the forms of God which they have previously adored may be displeased. This is a naive fear, because all Gods and Goddesses adore Krishn. According to Ved Vyas, “Yathatarormulanishechanen …” Bhag. 4/31/14 “Exclusive devotion to Krishn naturally gratifies all forms of Gods and Goddesses (as they are powers of Krishn that reside within Him) just as the water poured on the roots of a tree nourishes the whole tree.” Any devotee of Shiva, Ram, Durga etc. can transcend to Krishn devotion. He will experience the Supreme form of his own accepted form of Godhead Personality because it is Krishn Himself who appears in various Almighty forms.
Accepting exclusive devotion to Krishn is a transcending towards Supremacy.
Shree Vallabhacharya strongly stressed exclusiveness. He said a devotee should not have any kind of attachment to any other Divine or material form except Krishn. In the words of Goswami Tulsidas ji “Eakbharoso, eakbal, eak as vishvas”. “O my Beloved Lord! You are my faith and You are my confidence. You are my hope and You are my strength. I know only You. Except You, I know nothing else.”
This is exclusiveness. With such confidence and love, a devotee should remember Radha-Krishn and Their leelas (Divine actions). He should sing Their Name and virtues. Associating himself with such Saints who have attained Krishn-love, he should absorb his mind in the Name, form, leelas, virtues and the abode of Radha- Krishn and long to receive Their Divine-love. That’s all one has to do to receive Divine vision.
In conclusion, exclusive devotion to Radha-Krishn in Kali Yug serves as the most direct path to God realization and Divine love, as emphasized by Swami Prakashanand Saraswati. By relinquishing attachments to all else and focusing solely on Krishna, devotees can attain liberation and experience true joy in their spiritual practice. Embracing this path not only fulfills the promise of divine grace but also connects individuals to the essence of all deities, nurturing their spiritual journey towards the Supreme.