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How is Adhikara (Eligibility) Determined, in Regard to Sadhana-Bhakti? How is Eligibility Recognized? How Does One Determine Their Own Eligibility? Is Bhajana Not Feasible Without Adhering to the Tenets of Scripture?
When the spiritual master considers that a faithful sadhaka is fit to remain under the rules and regulations of scripture, he will first instruct him in vaidhi-sadhana-bhakti. When he considers that a sadhaka is eligible for raganuga-bhakti, he will instruct him how to perform bhajana according to raga-marga, the path of spontaneous devotional service.
One is eligible for vaidhi-bhakti when one desires to worship Bhagavan according to the rules and regulations of the scripture, and has not yet experienced the principle of spontaneous attraction to Krishna (raga), in his soul. One is eligible for raganuga-bhakti when a spontaneous inclination for hari-bhajana has awakened in his soul, and he does not wish to be subservient to the rules of scripture in his worship of Sri Hari.
If you examine your heart with sincerity and honesty, you will understand your own eligibility.
It would be most beneficial to engage in sadhana and bhajana according to the rules outlined in the scripture. Nowadays, however, hari-bhajana is an ocean of nectar. Gradually by the power of bhajana, you will be able to taste that nectar.
If the rules of scripture take precedence in your heart, you should adopt the practice of vaidhi-bhakti. In due course, the principle of raga will be awakened in your heart.
One should not practice bhajana, which one is not eligible or qualified; that would be disastrous.
Therefore, one should first start with chanting the Holy Names; Sri-Nam is clearly available to be performed by anyone for there is no restriction as to who may chant the Holy Names of Krishna. The power of Sri-Nam will attract, in the due course of time, the practitioner to activities, which will eventually reveal the type(s) of bhajana one is eligible and qualified to perform.
Sri-nama bhajana is more powerful than all other forms of bhajana.
There is no difference between Nama, the holy name, and nami, Bhagavan, who possesses the holy name.
If you chant Nama without offense, you will very quickly attain all perfection.
All nine forms of bhajana are automatically carried out when performing nama-bhajana.
When one utters sri-nama, he is engaged in both hearing and chanting. As one chant’s, one also remembers the pastimes of Hari, and within the mind one serves and worships Him, offers prayers to Him, serves Him in the mood of a servant or friend, and offers one’s very self to Him.
You should always chant these names without offense:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”