Story Knowledge Systems of Grandmothers of India
What is Bhakti?
Bhakti is very difficult to define. It can’t be defined in one or two words. It is in the core of many saints and common people. It has been coming down from continuous centuries and has been passed down from lineages in some cases. It is the heart of the Indian system and the Indian Vedic system. In this context, there is this Bhagavatam story of Bhakti.
What is the Bhagvatham story of bhakti?
There is a beautiful story of bhakti which happens in the banks of a sacred river. India is full of sacred rivers. At this particular river bank are seated three people, two old people, one close of dying and a beautiful young girl. The Sage Narada goes up to them and asks them who they are and who this girl is. The girl says ‘I am Bhakti and these two people are my children. One is Jnanan and the other one is Vairagyam.”
Narada said, “Bhakti you are so young and Jnanam and Vairagyam are not.” Jnanan and Vairagyam are shrinking in India but Bhakti is there in certain places. Jnanan and Vairagyam are eroding in India. Narada asked “how can they be revived?”
Story Practices 