Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj - The Bhakta

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Introduction by Ed Muzika

Below is small book written by Nisargadatta. As indicated by Jean in her editor's notes, it was published in 1963. There were 100 copies of this book printed by her. She
gave 20 or so copies to friends and students and one to me. For some reason she decided not to give any more out.

It has never been published in the West. Therefore, you are
among the first to see it. Jean Dunn was never able to find anyone who claimed ownership of the copyrights. Since there historically there are none and since I am first to broadly
publish this text in the USA, I could and do claim the copyright. Jean told me it is hard to recognize the later Nisargadatta in this book as the style is so devotional and traditional Indian. True. But Maharaj is there.

Those accustomed to the bold pronouncements on the nature of reality found in his later talks might be surprised by
the obvious bhaktic melody throughout this little book. It is also obvious that this is the autobiography of Maharaj ’s awakening, not his early teaching. It is a love song both to himself and to his guru. One might ask, “What happened to the bhakta so obviously present in this work but
apparently absent in his later talks?” I would assume that his style during Satsang was very different than his relational style outside of Satsang, where he was—I hear—quite jolly, friendly and loving. This way of being is consistent with the Maharaj found in this book. Also, Jean states quite clearly in her other books, that near the end of his life he was in constant pain and did not indulge idle
questions of the curious, but only pounded on his highest teachings. Robert spent several months near Maharaj. Robert did not approve, saying he was rude and often even apparently cruel towards some of his students. Robert said Balsekar was one of Maharaj’s favorite targets.
This book, along with his others, particularly “Prior to Consciousness” is a text of the highest spiritual order. Phrased poetically, it could easily be a Nisargadatta-Gita of comparable depth as the Ashtavakra or Avadhut Gitas.
For most of us, it is what his words do to us that is important. This little book speaks to many who felt closed out by the content and style of his later talks.

It is apparent that Nisargadatta was filled with devotion after he attained. He was never a talking head. He had formal chanting five times a day until he died. The chanting
libretto contained the teachings. He would repeat certain phrases over and over. Bhakta is extremely important for most of us. Zen monks were incredibly fixated on their teachers,and lived the life of monks, who always chanted. I am always amazed why so many of those who read Nisargadatta resist chanting.
Ed Muzika

For Further free Reading of the book

MAI's picture

Bhakti and Gyana..

Devotion { Bhakti }, and Knowledge { Gyana },not two,but one indivisable truth, that is THE NAMELESS.

At its zenith,that love,that bhakti, that devotion,spontaneously starts revealing that knowledge..which is inherent in the heart.


MAI | Fri, 11/09/2012 - 15:21