Bhakti yoga

Bhakti Yoga (Devanāgarī: भक्ति योग) is a term within Hinduism which denotes the spiritual practice of fostering loving devotion to God, called bhakti. Traditionally there are nine forms of bhakti-yoga. Bhakti yoga is generally considered the easiest of the four general paths to liberation, or moksha (the others being Karma, Raja and Jnana Yoga), and especially so within the current age of Kali yuga (according to the Hindu cycle of time). In scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana, bhakti is described as a perfectional stage in itself which surpasses even moksha as a level of spiritual realisation. Hindu movements in which bhakti yoga is the main practice are called bhakti movements.

Philosophy

Bhakti is the Sanskrit term that signifies a blissful, selfless and overwhelming love of God as the beloved Father, Mother, Child, Friend or whichever relationship or personal aspect of God that finds appeal in the devotee's heart. Bhakti incorporates a number of universal principles, also common in other world religions.

The 'Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu' (written by Rupa Gosvami) gives the following as the nine primary activities of bhakti, with the instruction that by following all, or just one, of these activities perfectly the aspiring devotee can achieve pure love of God:

#Hearing about the Lord - singing & chanting God's names (japa), hearing stories from scripture.
#Glorifying the Lord - describing God's all-attractive features.
#Remembering the Lord - internal meditation on the Lord's form, activities, names or personality.
#Serving the lotus feet of the Lord - providing a form of physical service.
#Worshiping the Lord - deity worship (puja) is a popular form of this within India.
#Offering prayers to the Lord - any form of prayer offered to please God.
#Serving the Lord - offering a service for Lord's pleasure, such as preaching activity.
#Building a friendship with the Lord - having an internal, loving relationship with God.
#Surrendering everything unto the Lord - surrendering one's thoughts, actions and deeds to God.

The scriptural source of these nine primary forms of bhakti is a verse in the Bhagavata Purana, spoken by Prahlada:

"Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord IAST|Viṣṇu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) — these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of IAST|Kṛṣṇa through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge." [ [http://srimadbhagavatam.com/7/5/23-24/en1 Bhag-P 7.5.23-24] ]

These nine principles of devotional service are described as helping the devotee remain constantly in touch with God. The processes of japa and internal meditation on the aspirant devotees's chosen deity form (ishta deva) are especially popular in most bhakti schools. Bhakti is a yoga path, in that its aim is a form of divine, loving union with the Supreme Lord. The exact form of the Lord, or type of union varies between the different schools, but the essence of each process is very similar.

The Bhagavad Gita

While it has an extensive list of philosophical and religious associations, the Bhagavad Gita is also seen as a cornerstone for Hindu Bhakti theism, especially within Vaishnavism. However, it has been interpreted by many as being a manual not limited just for devotees of Krishna. Whatever be the case, it is adamant, in Krishna's words, that love and innocent pure intention is the most powerful motive force in a devotee's spiritual life. It is a very succinct and comprehensive statement on the mindset of the Bhakta (loving devotee) of Krishna, Svayam bhagavan:

Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me. (B-Gita 9.34) [ [http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/9/34/en1 B-Gita 9.34] ]

One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God. (B-Gita 18.55) [ [http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/18/55/en1 B-Gita 18.55] ]

Branches

The various bhakti movements are monotheistic in their aim, being primarily devoted to worship of either Vishnu, Krishna or Shiva as the Supreme Absolute or His personal energy, known as Shakti. These movements, which followed the establishment of the three Vedanta systems, rejuvenated Hinduism through their intense expression of faith and responsiveness to the emotional and philosophical needs of India, illustrated by Bharatanatyam, and can rightly be said to have affected the greatest wave of change in Hindu prayer and ritual since the advent of Adi Shankaracharya. There have been bhakti movements throughout Indian history.

The philosophical schools changed the way people thought, but Bhakti was immediately accessible to all, calling to the instinctual emotion of love and redirecting it to the highest pursuit of Brahman and self-realization. In general a liberal movement, its denouncement of caste offered recourse for Hindus from the orthodox Brahaminical systems. Of course, however, Bhakti's message of tolerance and love was not often heeded by those ensconced in the societal construct of caste.

Altogether, bhakti resulted in a mass of devotional literature, music, dance and art that has enriched the world and gave India renewed spiritual impetus, one eschewing unnecessary ritual and artificial social boundaries.

"For further information see the article on Bhakti movements."

Notable proponents of Bhakti

*Narada Muni
*The Alvars approx. 2nd century to 8th century
*The Nayanars 5th century to 10 century
*Adi Shankara 788 AD to 820 AD
*Ramanujacharya 1017 AD to 1137 AD
*Madhvacharya 1238 AD to 1317 AD
*Jayadeva 12th century
*Nimbarka 13th century
*Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 1486 AD to 1533 AD
*Tyāgarāja died 1847 AD
*Ramana Maharshi 1878 AD to 1950 AD
*Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 1896 AD to 1977 AD
*Vallabha Acharya 1479 AD to 1531 AD

ee also

*Narada Bhakti Sutra

References

External links

* [http://www.krishna.com/main.php?id=331 Bhakti and Bhakti-yoga]
* [http://www.yoga.com/ydc/enlighten/enlighten_document.asp?ID=116&section=9&cat=140 History of Bhakti Yoga]
* [http://vedabase.net/nbs/value/en1 Narada Bhakti Sutra]
* [http://nectarofdevotion.com/4/en1 Bhakti Surpasses All Liberation (moksha)]
* [http://purebhakti.com/ Pure Bhakti]