CHAPTER EIGHT

Bhakti Darsana—Vision of Adoration

Verse - 1


भक्तिरात्मानुसन्धानमात्माऽनन्दघनो यतः ।

आत्मानमनुसन्धत्ते सदैवात्मविदात्मना ॥ १ ॥


Adoration is a close inquiry into the Self because the Self is a compact mass of wonder-joy;

So the knower of the Self always closely inquires into the Self by the Self.


Sree Narayana Guru

Commentary


Sankaracharya in verse 32 of the Vivekachudamani has an identical definition. This close inquiry which takes the form of meditatively looking within is actually done by the Self. It is the Self revealing the Self. This type of adoration is what brings oneness of the Self and the Absolute. The Sivayogapradipika describes in this way, "With the senses and strands of nature dissolved one adores the Self."

The value of the Self is that it is a compact mass of wonder-joy. This high value is what the Self experiences, and this is what is described in many spiritual texts.

Sree Narayana Guru