Question: I heard in a class that being in the mode of goodness helps one achieve Bhakti more easily. I have also heard that if one has to come back to devotion after a fall down, goodness acts as a net and prevents one from completely falling down. On the other hand, I have read that Bhakti is independent of all factors including the modes.
I know statement 2 to be true since it is from Srila Prabhupada. But is statement 1 also true, at least in specific situations? If so, how do we reconcile these 2 statements?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
As you have mentioned there is no cause for Bhakti. Bhakti is not dependent on anything material.
Bhakti is supreme, causeless, and fully independent – no material cause can either induce or impede bhakti from appearing in one’s heart. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakura analyses this as follows: if material pious deeds, suffering, blind fortune, or any such material condition could guarantee or give rise to bhakti, then that material cause would be considered more powerful than bhakti – this is contradictory and cannot be true.
It is therefore understood that bhakti is attained only by the mercy of bhaktas, who carry pure devotion for Krishna in their heart. In other words, bhakti (present in the heart of devotees) is the cause of bhakti.
However, the mode of goodness is conducive, or more likely to accept a devotional environment, devotees, and devotional circumstances, and in that sense, it can be favorable — but in itself, it does not cause bhakti.
