Core Tenets of the Madhyama Shatkam (Bhakti Yoga) 🎯
1. The Vehicle for Moksha 🚗
The Madhyama Shatkam introduces Bhakti Yoga as the "vehicle" necessary for the Jeevatma (individual soul) to successfully travel from its current state (point A) to the state of Moksha (liberation, point B).
This vehicle of Bhakti Yoga requires two wheels for propulsion, which are Karma Yoga and Gnana Yoga (knowledge), illustrating that devotion must be supported by selfless action and philosophical understanding.
2. Bhakti Yoga Defined 🧘
The sources make a crucial distinction between mere Bhakti (simple devotion like chanting or offering flowers) and Bhakti Yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga: Bhakti Yoga is a formalized practice based on the eight limbs of yoga: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
Maturation of Knowledge: Bhakti is the mature Gnana (knowledge) that evolves from initial Karma (action). For instance, a child initially brushes its teeth as a burdensome karma, later gains gnana about its purpose (cleansing), and finally develops true bhakti (love) for the process when the knowledge matures.
3. Paramountcy of Krishna 👑
This section establishes Krishna as the supreme object of devotion. The theme is encapsulated in a key verse cited from the beginning of this shatkam: "matta parataram nanyatu kinchitasthi dhananjaya mai sarvam idam proktam sutre maniganayiva". This reinforces the teaching that nothing is superior to Krishna.
4. Chapter Specific Content 📖
The chapters within this section detail various aspects of devotion:
Chapter 9: Rajavidya Rajaguhyam (The King of Sciences and the King of Secrets).
5. The Highest Levels of Devotion ✨
The path of Bhakti Yoga leads to ascending levels of spiritual attainment:
- Parabhakti
- Parajnana
- Parama Bhakti
Parama Bhakti is the highest stage, where the devotee achieves the realization that they cannot exist without the Divine, feeling an inseparable attachment to Bhagavan.
6. The Problem of the End Moment ⏰
The teaching of Bhakti Yoga presents a challenge related to the goal of Moksha. Krishna stipulates a difficult condition for liberation: whatever the Jeevatma thinks of in the last minute on the deathbed (Yo Yo Yap Yap), that is what they shall become in the next birth.
If the seeker thinks of Krishna, they attain Moksha. If they think of anything else, they will take rebirth (punarjanma). This condition worried Arjuna, as concentration is difficult even in sound health.
This difficult precondition is the reason why the subsequent Tritiya Shatkam concludes with the instruction to surrender (Charama Shlokam), allowing the Bhakti Yoga begun in this life to succeed.
📺 Reference
This blog post is based on notes taken from the following video :
Video Sources:
For a more detailed explanation, I highly recommend watching the original videos.
📝 Acknowledgment & Disclaimer
These articles are based on discourses by Sri Dushyanth Sridhar, who renders discourses in English & Tamil on Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Vishnu Purāna, Bhagavad Gitā, Vishnu Sahasranāma, and Divya Prabanda in the upanyāsam, pravachanam, or kālakshepam style. Visit https://desikadaya.org for more information. These notes are presented solely for educational purposes to help viewers download and benefit from these teachings. Any incorrect interpretations or inaccuracies are mine and unintentional—please forgive me. For any feedback, please send an email.