Bhaktiphal
The reward of Worship
Please note, the following text and translation includes both Shri Vallabh’s
verses and his own prose commentary on the verses in italics.
Now, I shall explain the reward of thorough performance of the kind of worship I have
been teaching. For, if the Lord grants
transcendent power, then the devotee’s first, best desire would be fulfilled. For whether the reward or the eligibility, time is
not the determinant here. 1-2a
In worship, there is a triad of rewards – Transcendent power,
Absorption (in the Lord), and having a body fit for worship in Vaikuntha, Goloka or other
(heavens).
But anxiety, or an obstacle, or gratification may be hindrances (to worship), if
(reward or eligibility) are not being given by the blessed Lord. And if (they are) absolutely (not being given),
there is no recourse. In this case
determination of the truth and wisdom (are considered the means). (Otherwise) renunciation of the hindrances is
considered the means. In gratification, too,
the means is the same relative to the first kind. The
second and higher type constitutes no hindrances. It
is the supreme gratification and constitutes a permanent part of the (devotee’s)
first, best (reward). 2b-4
In worship,
there is a triad of hindrances – 1) anxiety ; 2) obstacle ; 3) gratification. One must renounce the means by which these three
come about.
Gratification is of two kinds – 1) worldly ; 2)
transcendent. Of these, the worldly must
simply be abandoned. But the transcendent,
among the three rewards, enters into the first. An
obstacle can be of two types – 1) ordinary and 2) those created by the blessed Lord.
Of these the first should be renounced by the mind. But, if the obstacle is created by the blessed
Lord, than, one should conclude that the blessed Lord will not be granting the reward. Than the worship of any other (god) will also be
useless. Than the “determination”
is that this soul is demonic. And
“wisdom” would involve setting forth on the path of knowledge, to prevent
sorrow.
In response to the question of how ordinary gratification may be got rid of he
says, (Ordinary gratification) is beset with difficulties and insignificant. But, it may be powerfully destructive. These two should always be considered powerful. 5a
Beset with
difficulties and is insignificant. Gratification,
since it is beset with difficulties and insignificance, it is destructive and should be
rejected. ‘These two’ (ie
gratification beset with difficulties and insignificant gratification) are the hindrances.
Regarding the second, anxiety should be abandoned completely,
because of the certainty of samsara.
The second is
the obstacle created by the blessed Lord. This
instruction is given in order to prevent anxiety on the part of one who has not set out on
the path of knowledge.
But if there is no first (reward), than, it is not being granted. In the absence of the first reward, the blessed
Lord is not going to grant it. Than it is
said that the worship is not at the divine level.
With regard to the third , the home is the hindrance. One succeeds in getting rid of gratification
precisely when one abandons the home. 6a
This (granting by Krushna) should always be thought of as beyond the devotee’s
own control. Any thought which contradicts
this is a delusion of the mind. This way of
thinking should be cultivated by those who belong to him (Krushna) as well – that
– He may, by no means delay in (granting) His grace.
Even when there is mental confusion, this truth alone should be considered. This is my conviction. And any distortion of doubt that might be created
in this matter is surely a delusion. 6b-8a
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