Bhakti is a spring: Just as an object kept on a coil is sprung by the energy of that coil, we too are sprung by the power of bhakti toward Krishna. By our human energy, we can do various things, including seek the ultimate reality. However, because we are finite beings, we ourselves can’t reach the infinite. This is where the bhakti spring empowers us. Bhakti-yoga is a time-honored process that fosters within us the emotion of devotion. Such devotion attracts the grace of God, Krishna, by which he manifests within us through self-revelation (Bhagavad-gita 10.10). Whereas a physical spring becomes separated from the object after propelling it, the bhakti spring is always within us potentially; it propels us whenever we sincerely desire Krishna. 

Bhakti reveals Krishna as the eternal spring of all love: Just as the arrival of spring makes nature blossom, the manifestation of Krishna in our heart makes all of reality blossom in its richness and sweetness. The devoted see Krishna in everything and everything in Krishna (06.30). Krishna as the eternal spring is manifested especially in Vrindavan. There, in a sweet pastoral setting that features the best beauty in all of existence, Krishna relishes endearing and enriching exchanges with his devotees. Whereas the spring season is temporary, the Krishna spring is eternal, making life in the spiritual world an unending festival of love and joy. 

Bhakti energizes the bhakta to spring toward Krishna: The more we relish Krishna’s loving nature, our practice of bhakti becomes increasingly joyful (09.02). Energized by that taste, we re-envision every situation in life as a potential opportunity to go closer to Krishna. Thereby, we march through life with a spring, going ever-closer toward our all-loving Lord. 

One-sentence summary:

Bhakti is a spring that helps us spring to the spring of all love.

Think it over:

  • How is bhakti like a spring? What is special about the bhakti spring?
  • How is Krishna like spring? What is special about the Krishna spring?
  • How does bhakti bring a spring to our step?

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09.02: This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.

(I thank my friend Ramana Krishna Prabhu for pointing out the three meanings of spring and their application to bhakti. This article is my offering to him as his birthday gift.)

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