What is nirguna bhakti? Nirguna bhakti means we have only one thought and one emotion, bhav, pulsating in our heart, mind and soul. And that is – how can I make my Krishna happy? We want and expect nothing in return.
The minute we expect something, anything in return, our bhakti transforms to saguna bhakti. Often we perform our seva and listen to discourses because we want to experience sukh and ananda. This is saguna bhakti.
But when we sing songs in Krishna’s praise or perform our seva with the sole intention of making Krishna happy, our bhakti becomes nirguna.
Yamunaji’s nirguna bhakti goes beyond this too. Yamunaji has an abundance of Prem for Krishna. But she surrenders everything to Him. Unlike her other sakhis who are scared to reveal their love for Krishna, Yamunaji never feels jealous of others. Moreover, she does not think of Krishna’s happiness alone. She thinks of the happiness of all Krishna bhaktas too.
Example 1 of Yamunaji’s nirguna bhakti
Yamunaji wears Krishna’s Mukut Kanchni Vastra forever
When the gopis come to Vrindavan on the beautiful night of Sharad Purnima, they say, “O Krishna, we are ignorant gopis. Our love for you is pure. But we feel overwhelmed when we see you with your Mukut, jewellery, pitambari, peacock feather and flute. During our MahaRaas we yearn to be your partner – equal to you in every way. So please wear ordinary clothes like us before we engage in our Maha Raas.
Krishna says, “O gopis, I can understand your predicament very well. I will surely wear ordinary clothes like you during the Maha Raas. But one of you will have to hold my divine clothes while we indulge in our Raas Leela. And the gopi who holds my clothes cannot participate in the Maha Raas.
A sudden strange silence permeates through Vrindavan. The gopis had come there to experience the ananda of the Raas Leela. None of them was willing to pass up the opportunity of dancing with Krishna. They all wanted something in return for their bhav. This is a classic example of Saguna bhakti.
But Yamunaji instantly says, “O Maharaj Krishna, give me your clothes. I will take care of them while you all indulge in the Maha Raas. All these gopis are my sakhis. If they are able to experience the ananda of Krishna’s Raas Leela, I don’t mind giving up my sukha for their benefit.”
Krishna says, “O Yamuna, I am touched by your nirguna bhakti for me. From now on you will wear the same ( Mukut Kanchni) clothes that I wear.”
Example 2 of Yamunaji’s nirguna bhakti
Radha’s secret deity
One day the gopis hold onto Radha’s pallu and ask her, “Krishna is the lord of Vraj. Yet you rule over it. How do you manage that? What great feat did you perform that Krishna does only whatever you say and nothing else? How did you meet Krishna? How are you able to keep Krishna to yourself like this? Which goddess do you worship to get such divine blessings? Let us know the answers to all these questions so that we too can do the same and keep Krishna to ourselves.”
The gopis continue with their tirade without giving Radha a chance to answer. They say, “We all worship different deities on all festive and special occasions. But our deities don’t grant us these kinds of blessings. Why – when we ask our goddess for a fair husband, she blesses us with a Shyam rang husband. We are 100% sure that you must be worshipping some deity in secret. That is why you get to stay so close to Krishna and are able to rule over his heart and mind like this.”
And Radha immediately says, “I worship Yamunaji. She was gracious enough to bless me with love for Krishna.”
Example 3 of Yamunaji’s nirguna bhakti
Radha’s Maan Bhang Leela
One day when Radha and Krishna were together in Vrindavan, Radha says, “O Krishna, I lose my cool ( maan) with you every day for some reason or the other. And you love me so much that you do your best to pacify me (maan bhang).
Today let us reverse roles. Let me become Krishna and you become Radha. You behave like me and I will pacify you. I want to understand the depth of the love that you have for me.”
Krishna sighs and says, “Women are adept at losing their cool for no reason at all O Radha. And we men have no choice. We master the art of Maan Bhang out of sheer desperation because our Ananda ultimately depends on your moods. Let us stick to our roles O Radha – for if I lose my cool, you will not even know what to do to pacify me.”
Radha’s eyes instantly become round with fire. She says, “I know you very well Krishna. But I am determined to have my way this time around too.” Krishna shrugs and says, “Okay then. Let’s transform ourselves and experience this leela too.”
Radha (as Krishna) assumes that she can easily soothe Krishna’s (as Radha) ire. She quickly realizes that she was attempting to do the impossible. She starts sweating profusely. Radha pleads with Krishna and asks for forgiveness. But Krishna is adamant. He turns a blind eye to Radha’s pleas.
Out of sheer desperation, Radha rushes to Yamunaji. Radha knows that Yamunaji alone would help her solve this problem. Yamunaji understands Radha’s love for Krishna and instantly says, “O Radha, I think the only way in which we can make Krishna smile now is by dressing up like Him. Krishna is annoyed with you now. So let me dress up like Krishna and go to Him. I will accept his anger on your behalf if the need arises.” Radha looks at Yamunaji in quiet admiration. She knows that only Yamunaji could think of such an excellent idea. She nods in assent.
Yamunaji then wears an exact replica of Krishna’s Mukut Kanchni. She has the Shyam rang of Krishna anyway. And Radha looks at her with a stunned expression on her face and says, “Why O Yamuna, you look exactly like Krishna now.”Yamunaji smiles at her fondly and sets out on her mission to Goloka.
Yamunaji finds Krishna (as Radha) in Goloka. She goes close to Krishna. But Krishna pretends to be angry. Yamunaji does not utter a single word. Radha watches the entire scene from a distance with a thudding heart. She wonders if Yamunaji’s idea will work.
Yamunaji then circumambulates Krishna. When Krishna sees Yamuna dressed up like Him He bursts out with laughter and ends the Maan Bhang leela.
Yamunaji gestures to Radha who rushes straight into Krishna’s arms. They regain their original forms. But when Yamunaji is about to depart from the scene, Krishna holds her hand and says, “O Yamuna, your nirguna bhakti unfailingly touches my soul. Please wear these Mukut Kanchni clothes forever from now on.” This is another instance of Yamunaji’s nirguna bhakti.
Yamunaji’s nirguna bhakti reveals some beautiful insights. It is not enough if we love someone wholeheartedly. We should never weigh down our love with the burden of our expectations. It is not enough if we love someone wholeheartedly. We should enable others too to love unconditionally. It is not enough if we love someone wholeheartedly. We must try to perceive things from their point of view and do the things that will make them happy. Yes, we can learn a lot from Yamunaji. A lot.
Photos given by: Shri. Yogeshji and Smt. Veena.
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