Meditations on Transcendence

Verse 60: Bhagavān Bhagahā Nandī Vanamālī Halāyudhaḥ Ādityo Jyotirādityaḥ Sahiṣṇur Gatisattamaḥ ||60|| He is Bhagavān —the possessor of all opulences, and Bhagahā —the one who can withdraw them at will. Though all divine qualities and powers ( vibhūtis ) emanate from Him, He retains the freedom to reclaim them, especially at the time of pralaya or cosmic dissolution. By His inherent nature, He is Ānandī —always blissful, because He is full of bhaga , the six-fold opulences. This bhaga is intrinsic to Him and never diminishes; instead, it constantly flows back into Him, signifying no loss whatsoever. He is Nandī because He is in a perpetual state of bliss, and to access this bliss, one must associate with and serve the Ānandī —the ever-blissful Lord. This bliss is maintained by constantly remaining in service ( sewa ) to the son of Nandagopa—Śrī Krishna. The idea that this verse refers to the son of Nandagopa is supported by Bhīṣmadeva's following words in the Mahābhārata....

 Transcending the Three Modes through Devotional Service: The Power of Bhakti Yoga In the realm of spiritual practice, the concept of the impersonal Brahman—characterized by no form, love, or relationships, and devoid of rasa (taste)—is often contrasted with the personal experience of the Supreme in Bhakti Yoga. The intrinsic bliss of the impersonal Brahman is often seen as static, whereas the interactive bliss found in devotional service (bhakti) combines both intrinsic and interactive elements, leading to a more dynamic and fulfilling spiritual experience. **Understanding the Three Modes of Material Nature** The Bhagavad Gita elucidates the three modes of material nature (gunas)—sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance)—which influence human behavior and consciousness. While practices rooted in sattva guna can elevate one to a state of calmness and clarity, they are still within the bounds of material nature. Non-devotional yoga and other spiritual practices that ...