Voidness: The essence of the Devotee

 

#Jainitai

The renowned Vaishnava Acharya, Locana Das Thakur of Srikhanda, has sung the following verse:

"Akrodha paramānanda nityānanda rāya, Abhimāna śūnya nitāi nagare beḍāya."

Translation: "Without anger, in supreme bliss, Nityānanda Rāya, Devoid of pride, Nitāi roams through the town."

The term "Abhimāna-śūnya" is composed of two Sanskrit words: "Abhimāna" and "śūnya." Let's analyze each term individually:

Abhimāna (अभिमान): "Abhimāna" can be translated as "ego" or "pride." It refers to the sense of self-importance, attachment to one's identity, or the feeling of being superior or special. In a negative sense, it can lead to arrogance and self-centeredness, hindering one's spiritual growth and understanding.

Śūnya (शून्य): "Śūnya" means "empty" or "void." It is often used in a philosophical or spiritual context to denote the state of emptiness or the absence of inherent existence. In some spiritual traditions, it signifies a state of selflessness, non-attachment, and egolessness, where one transcends individual identity and recognizes the interconnectedness of all things.

Combining both terms, "Abhimāna-śūnya" represents a state of being devoid of ego or pride. It describes a mindset or spiritual quality where one has let go of personal attachments and self-importance, leading to a state of humility and non-identification with the ego.

In some spiritual practices, the concept of "Abhimāna-śūnya" is considered essential for progress on the path of self-realization and attaining higher states of consciousness. By cultivating humility and surrendering the ego, one can open themselves to higher truths and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings. This concept is often emphasized in various spiritual traditions and teachings as a means to overcome the illusion of individuality and unite with the universal consciousness.

The Siddha-Siddhanta-paddhati of the Hatha Yoga Tradition states the following five qualities of Śūnya:

"The state of emptiness (śūnyam) is characterized by five qualities: submissiveness, completeness, egolessness, playfulness, and enthusiasm." ||21||

Remember, Lord Nityananda is the sum-total Paramatma expansion of Krishna. Thus, we can also see what the yogis declare are the five qualities of Paramatma:

"aparamparaṁ, parama-padaṁ, śūnyaṁ, nirañjanaṁ, paramātmā iti" ||17||

Translation: "The Supreme Soul (Paramātmā) is beyond comparison, the highest state, emptiness, without blemish, and is known as the Divine Self."

Srila Krsna Das Kaviraja has described the five qualities of Krishna as follows:

"Pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ, Bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam, Bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ Namāmi bhakta-śaktikam."

Translation: "I offer my obeisance to Lord Krishna, who embodies the five truths, The devotee's form (bhakta-rūpāya) and the essence of the devotee (svarūpakāya), The incarnation of a devotee (bhakta-avatārāya) and known as Bhakta (bhakta-ākhyāya), I bow to Him who is the source of all the devotees' potencies (bhakta-śaktikāya)."

In this verse, "bhakta-rūpa" and "bhakta-svarūpa" refer to two distinct aspects: one as the form of a devotee (Krishna takes on the form of a devotee), and the other as the essence/Svarupa of the devotee.

Lord Nityananda is Bhakta-Svarupa, and Svarupa means Paramatma-Sunya. This is the inner essence of Sri Krishna, also known as the BHAKTA, the soul of the soul.

Without understanding Bhakta-Svarupa, one can never fully appreciate, serve, and honor, without offenses, all that the lord is and enjoys. Without becoming Abhiman-Sunya, you cannot entertain any hope for the attainment of Prema-Rasa and the service of Srimati Radharani.

Those who imagine themselves falsely having attained spiritual forms and imagined spiritual identities without having dissolved the ego of five in the ocean of Paramatma will not be awarded genuine spiritual understanding or bhakti. They will remain prakrita bhaktas.

May Lord Nityananda, the avadhuta avatar of Lord Balarama-Sankarshana, the cause of all causes, the support of everything, the void as it is incarnate as the wild mad preacher of Harinama Sankirtana amongst the masses, be the shelter of all. May the Jagad Guru, Prabhupada, who is selfless and humble beyond compare, always bless you with the will to dissolve your identity again and again in the sunya-kunja of His lotus feet.