Anaya Bhakti means one-pointed devotion to God, where the devotee perceives nothing else in the universe but the divine derived from “an” (no, not) and “anya” (other), it signifies a state of undivided love and complete surrender, free from material desires, duality or the search for other refuges.

Key aspects of Ananaya Bhalti

No otherness (Annaya): The sadhaka does not see anyone or anything as separate from God, viewing the entire creation as a manifestation of the Divine.

Exclusive Focus: it is single pointed devotion, where the mind is entirely immersed in the Almighty, not divided between multiple gods or worldly, material and spiritual pursuits.

Total Surrender: The devotee relies solely on God’s grace for protection and support, making the Lord their only refuge (Ananya ashrayam).

Non-Dual Perspective: As described in the Bhagwad Gita, this devotion is beyond duality, leading to the realization that the devotee, the world and God are one consciousness.

Anaya Bhakti is regarded as the highest form of devotion often associated with attaining God-realization.

Guru Ravidas was a follower of Ananya Bhakti. His Guru was Swami Ramananandacharya, 14th century, Vaishnavite saint. He did not believe that one would attain salvation by shaving one’s head, counting beads, seeking isolation, becoming a yogi or living in a cave. He said that one must remember the nature of God, and seek his grace. He said perform Arati in the inner sky by merging the self into the World.

He said,

Thy name is the lamp,
Thy name is the wick,
Thy name is oil, which I pour therein.
With thy name I have kindled the light.

Aim Hrim Klim