Obstacles Bhakti - Kunjeshwari Home

Obstacles in Bhakti
sense, shame, holiness, fame, forgiving nature, self control, spiritual
progress completely. These men are never at peace, foolish, in a sorrowful
state and have no spirituality whatsoever.” - (S.B.)
“varam hutavaha-jwâlâ-panjarântaryava-sthitih,
na shouri-chintâ-vimukha-jana-samvâsavaishasam.”
Meaning - "It is better to live in a cage of fire but never ever accept the
painful association of those who are averse to thinking about Sri Krishna.” –
(B.R.S.)
Sri Thâkur Mahâshai said –
“jogi nyâsi karmi gyâni anya deb-pujak dhyâni
ei lok dure porihori,
karma dharma duhkha shok jebâ thâke anya-jog
chhari bhojo giriborodhâri.”
Meaning - "Strictly avoid ashtânga-yogis, sannyâsis, karmis, gyânis and the
worshipers of other gods. Forsake all karmas and dharmas that only cause
pain and worry, and serve Lord Girivaradhâri (Sri Krishna).”
– (P.B.C.)
This indicates that just as we should give up lustful attachment to the
opposite sex, the association of people who lust for the opposite sex and
those who turn away from Sri Krishna, we should also forsake ashtângayogis,
sannyâsis, karmis, gyânis and those who worship other gods. This is
because if we do not reject their company, their qualities may infect us and
this is detrimental to bhakti.
3. Anna-dosh – Contamination due to food – We should be very
careful about what we eat to protect our bhakti. We simply cannot neglect
this point.
“âhâr-shuddhou satva-shuddhih satva-shuddhou dhruvâ-smritih”
Meaning - "When we eat sâtvic food, our sub-conscious mind becomes pure.
When it becomes pure then we can remember God uninterruptedly
(continuously).” – (Chândogya Upanishad)
It is difficult to purify the sub-conscious mind if we do not eat food that is in
the mode of goodness. ‘Sâtvic’ or ‘pure’ food does not imply simply
vegetarian. Food can be contaminated in three ways –
Impure by nature (jâti-dushta) – For example – meat, alcohol, fish, onion, garlic
etc that cause passion are prohibited.
External contamination (nimitta-dushtâ) - presence of dust, mosquitoes, flies,
saliva, sweat etc. contaminate food.
Contaminated by source (âshray-dushta) - If the food is either cooked or served
by impure, miserly, lusty, greedy, angry, dull-witted person or one who is afflicted by
sexual diseases then the food is contaminated. The one who pays for the food, the
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