Caturtha-yama Sadhana

Midday Bhajana

Under the pretext of preaching, simply to increase one’s number of followers, one must not initiate unskilled disciples. It is written in Srimad Bhagavatam (7.13.8):

na sisyan anubadhnita

granthan naivabhyased bahun

na vyakhyam upayunjita

narambhan arabhet kvacit

A sannyasi does not have to offer material enticements to get many disciples, nor does he have to unnecessarily read many books or give lectures to earn a living. He must never try to increase material wealth without the need for it.

Those who have a taste for the holy name do not want such things.

Uninterrupted pure devotional service is recommended in Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.14):

tasmad ekena manasa

bhagavan satvatam patih

srotavyah kirtitavyas ca

dhyeyah pujyas ca nityada

With the focus on the Supreme Lord protecting His devotees, one must constantly hear talks about Him, glorify Him, remember Him, and worship Him.

With fixed attention, engage in listening and chanting of Krishna’s name, form and attributes, and at the same time try to destroy your anarthas. Then the plant of devotion will quickly bear fruit.

According to the Padma Purana, one should not feel troubled by the scarcity or loss of the objects of desire:

alabdhe va vinaste va

bhaksyacchadana-sadhane

aviklava-matir bhutva

harim eva dhiya smaret

The mind of those who have taken refuge in the holy name is not disturbed even if they find it difficult to obtain food and clothing, or if they have had them and then lost them. Leaving all material attachments behind, he takes complete refuge in Govinda.

The procedure for getting rid of pain is explained in the Padma Purana:

sokamarsadibhir bhavair

akrantam yasya manasam

katham tasya mukundasya

sphurttih sambhavana bhavet

It is impossible for Krishna to manifest in the heart of someone who is filled with anger, pride, or who complains about the state of his wife or children.

Only what is necessary for the devotional life should be accepted, as stated in the Naradiya Purana:

yavata syat sva-nirvahah

svikuryat tavad arthavit

adhikye nyunatayanca

cyavate paramarthatah

If the devotee accepts the things necessary for the maintenance of his life, this does not mean that he is devoted to sense gratification. The devotee accepts neither too much nor too little, as this could hinder his progress in the direction of the intended end.

The symptoms of the development of pure devotion are given by Srimad Bhagavatam (11.2.42):

bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir

anyatra caisa trika eka-kalah

prapadyamanasya yathasnatah syus

tustih pustih ksud-apayo ‘nu-ghasam

Devotion, direct experience of the Supreme Lord and detachment from that which is not His concern – for one who has taken refuge in the Supreme Personality of God, these three things happen simultaneously, as for a person who eats for pleasure, food and hunger, relief increases simultaneously with each bite.

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