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Chapter 12
SAGUNA AND NIRGUNA BHAKTI
62. Without Nirguna, Saguna Is Defective
15. Lord Buddha had realised this. He therefore prescribed three-fold surrender. Initially, one may be loyal to an individual, but that loyalty should, in due course, grow into commitment to principles. If this is not immediately possible, it should at least develop into a commitment to sangha (the community of like-minded persons). Respect for one individual should be replaced by respect for a group of individuals. If there is no love and commitment for the sangha, there would be dissensions and conflicts within it. Loyalty to an individual should thus advance to commitment to the community of the like-minded and from that to commitment to the principles. ‘बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि। संघं शरणं गच्छामि। धम्मं शरणं गच्छामि।’ (‘I take refuge in Buddha, I take refuge in sangha, I take refuge in dharma.’) This is the three-fold surrender prescribed in Buddhism. Love for an individual or for a group is shaky. There must eventually be commitment to principles. Then only the institution will be beneficial to the society. Even though the initial source of inspiration is saguna, saguna must ultimately reach fruition in nirguna. Saguna becomes defective in the absence of nirguna. Nirguna keeps saguna balanced and within bounds; and the latter must be thankful for it. 16. There is idol-worship, in some form or the other, in all the religions including Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Although it is not considered the highest form of worship, it has been accepted and respected. As long as it remains within the bounds set by nirguna, it remains free from defects. As soon as it crosses these bounds, defects appear in saguna idol-worship. This has happened in all the religions: saguna therein has degenerated in the absence of restraint from nirguna. Animal sacrifice was prevalent in yajnas and other rites in ancient times, and even today animals are sacrificed to Goddess Kali. It is a travesty of idol-worship. It means that idol-worship has crossed the bounds and has gone astray. This risk is averted if saguna is restrained by firm commitment to nirguna. |
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