SBG - 2. Confluence English - FL - SBG - 2. Confluence

Dhaumya : Father, what kind of bhakt does God like?
Bhargavbhai : You have asked a good question. You must be familiar with the 'Vaishnavjan' Bhaktipad by Poet Narsinh Mehta. In the same line, the Bhagavad Gita also states that the one who has no envy for any living being, who displays kindness and friendliness to all, who remains content, who has devoted mind and intellect to God with firm determination, is dear to God.
Dhaumya : Father, you shared very nice things about bhakti associating it with the Bhagavad Gita.
Dhimahi : Indeed, father, I too enjoyed it a lot.
Dhaumya : Father, after listening to a few things from the Bhagavad Gita, it seems imperative that we should read this scripture, as it contains teachings to enrich our lives.
Bhargavbhai : Absolutely, children. The Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a scripture worth reading and reciting everyday.
Q.1. What qualities make a bhakt dear to God according to the Bhagavad Gita?
Q.2. What did Bhargavbhai say about the importance of the Bhagavad Gita?

Dhimahi : Father, do all people feel God within themselves if God is omnipresent?
Bhargavbhai : No, beta. The stronger our bhakti, the more we feel the presence of God within us. Even when there is fire in the rays of the sun, it is not as visible as fire. But when someone concentrates the sunlight with a magnifying glass, the paper in its path catches fire. Similarly, when someone deepens their bhakti, God becomes ostensible as the fire of the sun through a magnifying glass.
Dhaumya : Father, the Bhagavad Gita also talks about Karma Yoga. So, does karma have any connection with bhakti?
Bhargavbhai : Indeed, beta! According to the Bhagavad Gita, no one can be devoid of deeds even for a moment.
Q.1. Why don’t all people feel God within themselves if He is omnipresent?
Q.2. What is the relation between karma and bhakti according to the Bhagavad Gita?

Dhaumya : Father, what is the correlation between knowledge and bhakti?
Bhargavbhai : Son, knowledge and bhakti complement each other. When a knowledgeable person perceives God as the foundation of the entire world, including oneself, how can one remain separated from the almighty? It is through knowledge only that one achieves union with God. Throughout history, we have seen many wise individuals who attained bhakti through their connection of knowledge with God. They are Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Vallabhacharya, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramana Maharshi, Sri Aurobindo, Srimad Rajachandra etc. These people were not only scholars who had studied scriptures but also were knowledgeable and knew bhakti. The Gita says for the knowledgeable bhakt:
Dhimahi : Father, what is knowledge?
Bhargavbhai : The entire universe consists of 24 different types of elements. This collection of elements is referred to as "Kshetr (field) in the Bhagavad Gita, and the one who knows it is called Kshetri (one who knows the field). In other words, Kshetra refers to pind i.c. our physical body. As it has been said, "पिंडे सो ब्रह्मांडे" (what exists in the body is the same as what exists in the entire universe.) Our consciousness, which knows this body, is a part of God and is termed as Kshetri. The knowledge of this kshetr and kshetri is called 'The knowledge'.
Q.1. How are knowledge and bhakti related according to Bhargavbhai?
Q.2. What is meant by Kshetr and Kshetri in the Bhagavad Gita?

Dhaumya : Father, what is the most crucial means for bhakti?
Bhargavbhai : Faith is very important for bhakti. The Bhagavad Gita states that acts of penance, charity, or karma that lack faith are in vain. Faith is vital in all our endeavours, but it holds particular significance in our bhakti. Responding to Arjun's inquiry in the twelfth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, God elucidates the importance of faith in the path of bhakti:
Dhimahi : Father, what kind of life does God expect if we follow the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita?
Bhargavbhai : Beta, that's an excellent question regarding leading an ideal life. It involves serving parents and elders, respecting teachers, speaking the truth, having faith in God, assisting people around, studying regularly, going to bed and getting up early, consuming simple and saattvik food, refraining from envy or jealousy, keeping the mind pure, knowing the importance of cleaning and cleanliness, and conservation of environment. If we live such a life, we will be loved by God.
Q.1. According to Bhargavbhai, why is faith important in bhakti?
Q.2. What kind of life does God expect according to the Bhagavad Gita?

Dhaumya : Father, I've heard that Narsinh Mehta was a great devotee of God.
Bhargavbhai : Yes, son, indeed emphasising the importance of devotion in one of his verses, Narsinh Mehta has said to that extent that (“ભૂતળ ભક્તિ પદારથ મોટું, બ્રહ્મલોકમાં નાહીં રે'') (Bhakti is a big thing that is found on the earth only, not in Brahmalok.)
Dhimahi : Father, what exactly is bhakti?
Bhargavbhai : Well, my child, bhakti, entails establishing a spiritual connection with God. It's not merely external actions but it is about dedicating our skills to God. There are nine steps of bhakti for offering skills to the almighty.
Q.1. What did Narsinh Mehta say about devotion (bhakti)?
Q.2. How did Bhargavbhai explain the meaning of bhakti?