27/01/2026
Bhav Jaisa, Dev Taisa
Jaisa Bhav, Taisa Dev Bhave Vina Dev Na dise||1||
Bhav hachi Devacha Dev, Bhavesi Lage Dev ||2||
Bhagavan often used to say, “Bhāv taisā Dev” — as is one’s bhāv, so is one’s God. This profound statement reveals a deep spiritual truth: the Divine is experienced not as an object outside us, but as a reflection of the inner state of the seeker. God does not change; it is our bhāv—our inner attitude, intention, faith, and maturity—that determines how the Divine is perceived.
Countless people approached Bhagavan Nityananda, each carrying a different need, temperament, and level of understanding. To some, He appeared as a compassionate healer; to others, a stern disciplinarian; to yet others, a silent, detached yogi. Each devotee encountered the same Bhagavan, yet experienced Him differently. In truth, each one found his or her own Bhagavan.
This principle is beautifully illustrated in the Rās Leelā of Sri Krishna. Though Krishna was one, each Gopī experienced Him as entirely her own. Krishna danced simultaneously with every Gopī, not by multiplying Himself physically, but by responding perfectly to the individual bhāv of each devotee. The Divine became intimate and personal, without ever ceasing to be one and indivisible.
The Sadguru functions as a living mirror. He reflects back to the seeker exactly what the seeker brings. When approached with devotion, He radiates compassion. When approached with ego or doubt, He may appear distant or challenging. The change is not in the Guru, but in the inner lens of the disciple.
Thus, the Sadguru does not impose an experience; He reveals the seeker to himself or herself. Through this reflection, one’s bhāv is refined—moving from expectation to surrender, from demand to trust, and from form to formless understanding.
In this way, “Bhāv taisā Dev” is not merely a statement of belief, but a call to inner transformation. As the bhāv becomes purer, subtler, and more selfless, the vision of God also becomes more expansive—until the seeker realises that the Divine experienced outside was always a reflection of the Divine within.
I remember the Abhang written by Shree Pant Maharaj:
जैसा भाव तैसा देव ।
तर्ककुसरी सर्व वाव ॥ धृ० ॥
जैसी भक्ति तैसी मुक्ति ।
व्यर्थ अभिमानाच्या युक्ती ॥ १ ॥
जैसा संग तैसा रंग ।
हाचि वर्तनक्रम चांग ॥ २ ॥
जैसे श्रवण तैसे कथन ।
मननासारखे समाधान ॥ ३ ॥
जैसा लोक तैसा भेक ।
ठकासंगे महाठक ॥ ४ ॥
जैसा भक्त तैसा दत्त ।
गर्जून सांगे बालावधूत ॥ ५ ॥
As is the inner feeling (Bhāva), so is the form of God experienced.
All clever arguments and intellectual gymnastics are futile.
As is one’s devotion, so is one’s liberation.
Pride disguised as reasoning leads nowhere.
As is one’s company, so is one’s colouring.
This alone determines the true course of one’s conduct.
As is what one listens to, so is what one speaks.
True satisfaction arises only when hearing and contemplation are aligned.
As are the people, so is the outer appearance.
In the company of cheats, one becomes a master cheat.
As is the devotee, so is Shree Datta revealed to him.
Thus proclaims Bala Avadhuta, thunderously.
Please visit: https://nityanandababa.com/.../bhav-jaisa-dev-taisa-by.../
Note:
“Images shared in this article are in good faith for spiritual purposes.
Credit unknown. Will acknowledge/remove if required.”
