I understand that nistha is a high stage and as stated in SB at that stage the affects of passion and ignorance are dissipated. But I always thought that it was more characteristic of the stage of ruci that one's bhakti is so powerful that one's anarthas no longer play a role particularly in one's intensity in hearing and chanting.
What does it mean that anarthas are dormant and does that really occur at the stage of nistha?
I am always trying to wrap my head around the stage of nistha. I used to thing it was a lofty goal in this life now I kind of feel it is unattainable. But at least I want to attain a better theoretical understanding in this lifetime.
Many devotees seems to have a superficial understanding of nistha and defining it as being steady in one's sadhana (ie. chanting 16 rounds)and seva which although important is not necessarily a symptom of nistha-bhakti. On a recent Swami Call, GM made the point that nistha has a correlation with knowing siddhanta.
Prema, I think your question about dormant anarthas and whether they occur at nistha might benefit from a citation, so we have some context. (Tried posting this note yesterday, but I lost my connection in the process.)
SB 1.2.18
nasta prayesu abhadresu
nityam bhagavata-sevaya
bhagavaty uttama-sloke
bhaktir bhavati naisthiki
SB 1.2.18
nasta prayesu abhadresu
nityam bhagavata-sevaya
bhagavaty uttama-sloke
bhaktir bhavati naisthiki
This verse also applies to my question.
anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād
bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje
lokasyājānato vidvāṁś
cakre sātvata-saṁhitām
What I mean by dormant is that although anarthas are present they are not acted upon. That they no longer interfere with one's steadiness in bhakti.
This verse also applies to my question.
anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād
bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje
lokasyājānato vidvāṁś
cakre sātvata-saṁhitām
What I mean by dormant is that although anarthas are present they are not acted upon. That they no longer interfere with one's steadiness in bhakti.
If one's practice is not anistha it is nistha. But in nistha all anarthas are not yet removed. While practice is steady in nistha, taste is not. And it is generally anarthas coming from aparadha that get in the way of that taste.
Thank you, Swami, for the concise, essential response. mitaṁ ca sāraṁ ca vaco hi vāgmitā.