Re: Bhakti and Prapatti

From the Bhakti List Archives

• October 21, 1995


On 21 Oct 95 07:52:40 EDT Eswar Josyula said:
>
[ .. snip .. ]

>
>3.  Is bhakti possible without prapatti?  And, is prapatti possible without
>bhakti?  The question here is can bhakti and prapatti be truly separated?


    Technically this is possible.  Here is an example, perhaps
    from RTS.  I have no direct knowledge of RTS, only through
    upanyaasams.


    A king was defeated and killed in a battle.  The victor entered the
    kingdom and took it over. To save the child-prince from certain death
    the ministers coached the boy to go up to the new king and say to him
    in his language, "save me my king, I will for ever serve you."  The
    new king is moved by this sweet young child say the words of surrender
    and makes him the king of conquered land.

    Two points tonote; (1)  the child did not know what he was
    saying, the king himself realized that the child was put up to
    this task by the ministers, yet he saved him, and (2) if a mere
    mortal king can be so moved, our Lord who is an ocean of mercy
    will save you even if you did prapatti without bhakthi.

    So, prapatti has no prerequisites!


-- Dileepan