Ananya Nishtha towards Shri Ji – What does it mean?
'Ananya Nishtha' – a state in which the heart is wholly and only under the dominion of one's Mistress, Shri Ladili Ju (Shri Shyama). Here the devotee's existence is solely in becoming a maidservant of Shri Shyama's feet. Can affection be so deep that it regards even the liberation of moksha as insignificant?
The Renunciation of Boundaries
Vrindavan's 'eternal sacred play rasa' is not a mere religious practice; it is a great power that dissolves established boundaries and limitations. Even those who have worshipped various incarnations with great patience and unwavering resolve, when they come into contact with this stream of rasa in Vrindavan, cannot restrain themselves. The moment a divine ray of this rasa touches the heart, their old guru traditions and the boundaries of their worship naturally fall away. Here rasa alone is the only truth, which reveals that at the height of love, the boundaries of scripture and society become insignificant. This rasa does not accept limits; rather, it dissolves the devotee into an infinite stream of love.
The Transformation of Nandadas Ji's Heart
The most beautiful example of ananya nishtha is Shri Nandadas Ji Maharaj. Despite being a guru-brother of Goswami Tulsidas Ji and a supreme devotee of Ram, when he came to Braj Mandal, the 'beauty of form' of Nandanandan (Shri Krishna) completely enslaved him. He respectfully bowed to his old worship and became one of the eight companions of Shri Nath Ji.
When Goswami Ji asked him what deficiency there was in the form of Ram Ji, Nandadas Ji's answer was based not on logic, but on direct experience. This is not a matter of judging someone as greater or lesser, but of the mind not being under one's control. He clarified that God's 'sideways glance' and the 'sound of the flute' had captivated his heart irresistibly. This is such a helplessness of love where the devotee's mind is 'stolen away,' and without any compulsion, merely overwhelmed by His beauty, he accepts servitude at His feet.
The Misfortune of Wandering Outside, Abandoning the 'Priceless Jewel' Kept at Home
When the priceless jewel of surrender to Shri Shyama is secure in our own home—our heart and the path of rasa—why do we wander about here and there? The very mind and intellect on which we rely to find peace have only led us astray through countless lifetimes. "Your life is wasted" if you cannot recognize this jewel. True wisdom lies in abandoning one's cleverness and dedicating oneself at the feet of the rasik devotees. Make yourself an instrument and surrender the reins to your rasik guru, for relying on the mind, we have only wandered for ages.
The Company of Rasiks and the Glory of Vrindavan's Dust
This eternal sacred play rasa of Vrindavan is not available anywhere else in the universe. The only door to obtaining it is 'the company of rasiks.' It is through the company of rasiks that the affection for Vrindavan's dust is awakened within us, without which it is impossible to obtain this rasa. Without the service of Vrindavan's dust, this eternal play cannot be obtained in any other abode. The uniqueness of this rasa is itself testified to by Lord Jagannath Ji. Upon hearing the sweet accounts of Braj's play, the form of Lord Jagannath becomes 'transformed by love'—His eyes expand and His limbs contract in the excess of emotion. If the Lord Himself can become 'transformed' in such overwhelming love, imagine how profound that rasa must be. It is contained solely in the gardens of Vrindavan and the grace of Ladili Ju.
Conclusion
The true success of human life lies in dedicating one's mind and intellect at the feet of the rasik guru. When we free ourselves from ego and place ourselves under his guidance as an instrument, only then does the wonderful rasa of eternal sacred play flow into our heart.
Ask yourself today: "Are we truly understanding the worth of that 'priceless jewel' that our guru has given us so easily, or are we still caught in our old beliefs and the mind's delusions, seeking happiness outside?"
Original article: bhajanmarg.com
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