The Bhakti Sūtras of Nārada (a translation)

Abstract

The article "THE BHAKTI SUTRAS OF NARADA: The Concise Teachings of Narada on the Nature and Experience of Devotion" presents Graham M. Schweig's translation of the Narada Bhakti Sutras. The article aims to make this foundational text on bhakti (devotion) accessible to non-Sanskritists and beginners by providing a consistent and loyal rendering of the original Sanskrit. Schweig emphasizes the sutra literary form and clarifies terse phrases by supplying implied subjects and meanings. The translation highlights Narada's view of bhakti as the greatest form of love (prema), possessing an eternal nature, leading to perfection and satisfaction. It details the characteristics of bhakti, such as the cessation of worldly desires, exclusivity for God, and indifference to opposing influences. The article outlines the means to attain bhakti, including giving up sense objects and attachments, unremitting worship, and the grace of great devotees or the Lord. It also describes the indescribable nature of prema and its eleven forms of loving attachment to God, ultimately affirming bhakti as the most precious truth of human existence.