Bhakta and Shraddhavan: Understanding the Difference

In our lives, we often hear the words 'Bhakta' (Devotee) and 'Shraddhavan'. But who is a Shraddhavan in the real sense? To put it in simple and soul-stirring words: one who performs Bhakti (devotion) is a 'Bhakta', but one who dwells constantly in the 'Devotion Sentience' is a true devotee — a 'Shraddhavan'.

The Words of Bhagwan Shree Krishna

The term 'Shraddhavan' was used by Bhagwan ShreeKrishna Himself in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. He mentions this word three times: first in the 4th chapter, and subsequently in the 6th and 18th chapters.

In Shrimad Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 4:

श्रद्धावान् लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः। ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिम्‌ चिरेणाधिगच्छति॥

Shraddhaavan labhate dyaanam tatparah sanyatendriyah |
Dyanam labdhvaa param shantim chirenaadhigacchati ||

The Shraddhavan who promptly performs bhakti, staying firm and steadfast at the feet of the Almighty and controls his faculties with bhakti attains knowledge. Upon receiving this knowledge, they experience ultimate peace in a very short span of time.

— Shrimad Bhagavad Gita 4/39

Stages in the Journey of a Bhakta

  1. A devotee at a lower level:

    The one- who performs bhakti only to seek material gains; the one who neglects the Almighty or rather forgets him once the material gain is achieved and again remembers Him when in need is considered a devotee at a lower level.

  2. Bhakta (Devotee):

    A bhakta begins on the path of Bhakti with whatever faith he or she has, continues in the pursuit of bhakti, importantly - always stays grateful to the Almighty and performs bhajan, poojan, mantra jap, pathan, chanting offers prayers, reads holy texts while repeatedly telling the Almighty that He is the only One who holds all the strings of his/her life.

    Walking this path, a devotee is filled with a beautiful realization, "I am very small and simple, but my God is infinite and possesses boundless power. My God is moved only by love." Strengthening this belief, they face every situation in life. Such a bhakta has only one, and the single aim and that is ‘to be a Dasa and a friend to the Almighty, serve Him as much as he can and surrender himself at the refuge of His feet’.

  3. The Shraddhavan:

    When the feelings of being a Dasa, a friend to the Swayambhagwan and surrendering at His divine feet are pronounced in the mind by a bhakta, though sporadically, the Swayambhagwan Himself takes the bhakta forward on the path of Bhakti, accepts his seva, however small or minuscule, considering it to be many times more than in reality. The Swayambhagwan then brings about his transformation from a bhakta to the Shraddhavan, the Shraddhavan who is His friend. And then the Swayambhagwan places him in the Devotion Sentience. The one who stays in the Devotion Sentience is the true bhakta or the Shraddhavan.

    In the path of Bhakti, the Swayambhagwan keeps actively intervening, anytime and anywhere, in the life of the Shraddhavan as per the will of the Aadimata Jagadamba.

Aniruddha Bapu blessing Shraddhavans at Shree Harigurugram

True Shraddhavan

The true Shraddhavan is the one who shelters himself in the ‘Daivi Prakriti’ or the ‘Sannihita’, the power of the love of the Swayambhagwan that is always connected to Him, surrenders at the feet of the Swayambhagwan, gets delighted at the sight of the smile on the face of the Swayambhagwan and acquires the love that flows through His eyes.

It is he, the true Shraddhavan, who enters into a steady unceasing servitorship and perpetual companionship of the Swayambhagwan.

Shraddhavans chant Mantragajar along with Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu at Shree Harigurugram
Shraddhavans chant Mantragajar along with Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu at Shree Harigurugram