Talk:Bhaktas Deliver Others
When a Bhakta expresses his love for Bhagavān genuinely and from his mind, heart and atman, he sees Bhagavān everywhere inside him and outside, and in everything. Every object, plant, animal etc. reminds him of some aspect of Bhagavān. These Bhaktas are filled with love for the entire creation, and they themselves radiate peace, love, purity and joy wherever they go. Others, who come in contact with these ideal devotees, themselves become influenced positively and start their own spiritual journey in turn.
The Bhakta swims across the ocean of this samsāra (repeated deaths and births), and he also enables others to swim across this ocean. Nārada Bhakti Sūtra 50 The Bhaktas purify their family and clan, indeed they purify the earth itself. Nārada Bhakti Sūtra 68
Story: Ramanujacharya Risks Going To Hell For The Sake Of Others
Shri Ramanujacharya was a great Hindu saint who lived in south India from 1017 – 1137 C.E. Once, he learned that a teacher named Goshthipūrņa knew a powerful secret mantra with which one can really please Lord Vishnu and ask for several boons in return.
Shri Ramanujacharya approached the teacher, and requests to be taught the mantra. The teacher agrees, but on one condition – that he will keep the mantra secret and will not teach it to anyone else. Shri Ramanujacharya agreed to this condition. Guru Goshtipurna then taught him the sacred Vaishnava mantra “Om Namo Nārāyaņāya” on the condition that he would not each it to others. However, thinking that such a liberation granting mantra must not be hidden from the masses, Ramanuja climbed the top of the temple at Thirukottiyur temple in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and started preaching it to all.
Guru Goshtipurna was very angry at this act of disobedience and scolded Ramanuja saying that he will surely go to Hell for disobeying his Guru. Ramanuja replied that if his going to Hell could give liberation to many others, he would not mind sacrificing residing in Hell.
The words of Ramanuja moved his Guru and he was moved to tears. The Guru embraced his student and said that he alone has understood the true meaning of the mantra.
In the spiritual tradition of Sri Ramanuja, another great saint named Pillai Lokāchārya (1205- 1311) was born a century later. So pleased was Bhagavān Vishnu with him that He blessed the saint saying that whosoever associates with Lokacharya will also come to Vishnu with him. So compassionate was Pillai Lokacharya that thereafter, he would touch even ants lovingly and would stare at plants for a long time so that even the souls of these living things would go to Bhagavān Vishnu.