Bhaktasthala

Bhakta Sthala (The phase of devotional worship): In this stage, the Bhakta worships the Istalinga with firm faith. Devotion found on faith is the characteristic of the "way of spiritual life." All the activities of the Bhakta are energized by love of God. All enjoyments are considered to be graces from God. All daily activities of Bhakta's life along with pure intention, constant self-offering, his whole self including his body, become transformed into a spiritual reality. Through this practice, active life permeated with true devotion becomes truly divine. Thus, the chief characteristic of Bhakta Sthala is devotion.

Bhaktasthala involves the worship of Guru , Linga and Jangama . When one understands the true meaning of this Sthala, one conceives the true meaning of the trinity of Guru , Linga and Jangama . Through this Sthala one becomes free from the desires of the body and mind and becomes a Bhakta by virtue of his/her belief in God.

ಭಕ್ತ ಭಕ್ತನ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದಡೆ, ಭೃತ್ಯಾಚಾರವ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.
ಕರ್ತನಾಗಿ ಕಾಲ ತೊಳೆಸಿಕೊಂಡಡೆ
ಹಿಂದೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಭಕ್ತಿಗೆ ಹಾನಿ.
ಲಕ್ಕಗಾವುದ ದಾರಿಯ ಹೋಗಿ
ಭಕ್ತನು ಭಕ್ತನ ಕಾಂಬುದು ಸದಾಚಾರ.
ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕೂಡಿ ದಾಸೋಹವ ಮಾಡಿದಡೆ
ಕೂಡಿಕೊಂಬನು ನಮ್ಮ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಯ್ಯ./294

If a devotee comes to the house of another devotee
he should serve like a servant.
Thinking that he is the maker
if the devotee allows his feet to be washed
that will destroy all the devotion attained in the past.
Walking a thousand miles
and visiting another devotee is a virtuous act.
If they together make daasoha there
Koodalasangamadeva will be with them. / 294 ^[1]

ಭಕ್ತ ಭಕ್ತನ ಕಂಡಲ್ಲಿ ಕೈಮುಗಿವುದೆ ಭಕ್ತಸ್ಥಲ.
ಜಂಗಮ ಜಂಗಮವ ಕಂಡಲ್ಲಿ ಶರಣೆಂಬುದೆ ಜಂಗಮಸ್ಥಲ.
ಭಕ್ತ ಜಂಗಮ ಎಂದು ಬೇರುಂಟೆ ?
ರಸದಂತೆ ಭಕ್ತ, ರುಚಿಯಂತೆ ಜಂಗಮ ಕಾಣಾ,
ಕಪಿಲಸಿದ್ಧಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನಾ.,/1056

A bhaktha folding his hand in salute
at the sight of another bhaktha is
bhakthsthala.
A jangama saying saranu
at the sight of another jangama is jangamasthala.
Are the bhaktha and jangama different?
look
bhaktha is like juice,
Jangama is like taste,
Kapilasiddha Mallikaarjuna. / 1056 ^[1]


ಭಕ್ತ ಶಾಂತನಾಗಿರಬೇಕು,
ತನ್ನ ಕುರಿತು ಬಂದ ಠಾವಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸತ್ಯನಾಗಿರಬೇಕು,
ಭೂತಹಿತವಹ ವಚನವ ನುಡಿಯಬೇಕು,
ಗುರುಲಿಂಗ ಜಂಗಮದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂದೆಯಿಲ್ಲದಿರಬೇಕು
ಸಕಲ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳ ತನ್ನಂತೆ ಭಾವಿಸೂದು ಮಾಡಬೇಕು,
ತನು ಮನ ಧನವ ಗುರು ಲಿಂಗ ಜಂಗಮಕ್ಕೆ ಸವೆಸಲೇಬೇಕು,
ಅಪಾತ್ರದಾನವ ಮಾಡಲಾಗದು,
ಸಕಲೇಂದ್ರಿಯಗಳ ತನ್ನ ವಶವ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು,
ಇದೇ ಮೊದಲಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಹ ಶೌಚ ನೋಡಾ.
ಲಿಂಗವ ಪೂಜಿಸಿ ಪ್ರಸಾದವ ಪಡೆವಡೆ ಎನಗಿದೆ ಸಾಧನ
ಕೂಡಲಚೆನ್ನಸಂಗಮದೇವಾ. /853

A devotee should be calm and quiet;
he should be true in whatever state he is;
he should talk about the welfare of all creatures;
without reviling jangama, he should think
that all creatures are like himself.;
he should serve guru, linga and jangama
through his body, mind and wealth;
he should not give in charity to the undeserving;
he should bring all the senses under control.
This is the first act of cleansing most desired, look.
If I should get prasaada by worshipping linga,
this is the means, Koodala Chennasangamadeva. / 853 ^[1]