Bhakti - and Madhushala Rubaiya 32

This verse is reminiscent of those who are on the path of devotion. All they can see is the object of their devotion: be it a beloved or a deity. Everywhere they look, whatever they touch, they experience the object of their devotion.


There is a spiritual-philosophical context to this. Extreme devotion (or what is called Bhakti) makes one see (for example) God everywhere, and in everything. At some point, the devotee asks, "if everything is God, then who am I?" It is at that instant that the observer ceases to exist: there is no devotee loving the Lord; no suitor admiring the beloved. The observer ceases to be, and he is the object of devotion: he is the universe.


The underlying meaning of this verse has to be understood in this context: I, and you, and every one of us, am or are or is the madhushala. The madhushala is all there is...there is nothing that exists outside of it. I am contained in the madhushala and the madhushala is contained in me. I am the universe. As are you.


I decided to write the commentary before the verse this time, in the hope that when you read the verse, you may choose to see it the way I do.


अधरों पर हो कोई भी रस
adharon par ho koi bhee ras
जिहूवा पर लगती हाला,
jihuaa par lagtee haalaa,
भाजन हो कोई हाथों में
bhaajan ho koi haathon mein
लगता रक्खा है प्याला,
lagtaa rakkha hai pyaalaa,
हर सूरत साकी की सूरत
har soorat saakee kee soorat
में परिवर्तित हो जाती,
mein parivartit ho jaati,
आँखों के आगे हो कुछ भी,
aankhon ke aage ho kuchh bhee,
आँखों में है मधुशाला
aankhon mein hai madhushaalaa