Bhakti Yoga: The Path of Loving Devotion

This guide is a comprehensive introduction to Bhakti Yoga, the most practical and sustainable solution to end all our sufferings.

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What is Bhakti Yoga?

Definition – Bhakti Yoga is the “Most Effective Yoga Process to Achieve Perfection in Life”. An ancient Bhakti path from India that aims to purify our hearts and awaken the love of God within us.

 

When we let go of our ego and surrender to the supreme power within us. The divine master takes charge of our senses, and guides us, like a best friend who always knows what’s best for us.

 

Even Gyan yoga teaches that there is no one except the divine that is our true well-wisher and eternal love.

Why Bhakti Yoga is the best yoga practice of all?

To understand this let’s first understand the two terms:

What is Bhakti?

Bhakti means devotion and love towards a the Divine.

What is Yoga?

“Yoga is to reconnect and reunite with the Divine our creators and serve them with love, which is our Eternal Duty – Sanatan Dharma.”

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” (युज्) which means to reattach or reunite. In Vedic wisdom, yoga is a holistic practice that integrates physical postures, breath control, meditation, and ethical principles to reunite with the divine and achieve spiritual and mental well-being, aiming for benefits such as harmony with the true self and the universe.

The various forms of Yoga:

• Karma Yoga (the path of selfless action)
• Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge)
• Astanga Yoga (the path of meditation)
• Bhakti Yoga (the path of loving Devotion)

We all are loving souls, this is our real nature, an innate tendency. Sadly, our intelligence is polluted and we end up loving worldly things that don’t last forever. They’re only around for a little while, which makes us suffer. So, to put an end to our suffering we start practising Yoga.

We believe that meditating in the morning or once a week will help us feel calm. But when we’re upset, we forget to use our meditation skills. So what is the best solution that helps us always? It’s only our creator’s love and care that can guide us in such situations. Unlike other forms of yoga that focus on physical postures or meditation techniques. Bhakti yoga emphasizes cultivating a personal relationship with the divine light who is our best well-wisher & guide.

Why Practice Bhakti yoga?

Bhakti practice is the most sustainable and effective yoga practice because the most sustainable actions are driven by love and devotion. Even the word Bhakti Means Loving Devotion. Hence Bhakti Yoga is the best, sustainable path to reestablish the long-lost love for our eternal parents who guide us.

When you do bhakti yoga, you focus on love and kindness. It’s like planting seeds of love in your heart garden and watching them grow! It’s like a big warm hug from your heart!

This practice makes it easier for us to be our true selves with a clean heart and we no longer need personality development courses to help us. Practising bhakti yoga brings us joy and helps us be kinder people. Some other reasons to follow Bhakti Path are: 

1) To be the Best Yogi

Our supreme Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Verse 47: “ And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.”

Yogi – A person who practices yoga, or follows the yoga philosophy with dedication and commitment.

Yogini – a female yogi.

2) To love our creator with a devotional attitude is our duty:

Just like we love our country and our family, it’s also important to show love and dedication to the higher power who created us.

Our ancient Vedic texts and spiritual gurus help us know the main goal of life and why we have human bodies. The ultimate goal of this human life is to Revive the eternal relationship of love between each soul and God.

Always remember – The difference between humans and animals is the ability to inquire about their real constitutional position and reasoning power. We should ask ourselves Who we are, why we are here on this earth and what is our real purpose.

The Bhagavad Gita has all the answers to these questions. The main answer is Bhakti Yoga, which is the best way to connect with your creators and find peace.

3) Bhakti yoga helps us in many ways such as:

• Understand the science of life
• End the sufferings – freedom from attachment, fear, and anger
• Manage our emotions and handle feelings better
• Make healthy choices in life and stick to them when performing our responsibilities, and duties
• Understand our minds better – be mindful
• Say bye-bye to stress and Enjoy forever peace
• Live a life that matters even after we’re gone

More About Bhakti yoga practice

How to serve God through Bhakti Yoga?

Through acts of devotion, we can show our love to God. Some of the simple bhakti practices are:

• prayer and worship
• chanting holy names and mantras
• always remembering the divine like a best friend
• sing, dance, and chant to connect with feelings of love and gratitude

Who should do Bhakti yoga?

Bhakti yoga is for anyone who wants to connect with their heart and feel love for themselves and others. It’s a way to find peace and happiness inside yourself.

It is for one who is looking for an answer to the critical question Despite all my efforts in this material world Why am I suffering?

Is Bhakti Yoga a Science?

Yes, it is a life science. Throughout history, saints, kings & queens have practised a form of yoga called bhakti. It is through the lives of the saints, and seers of the truth that we learn that our beloved God is always there guiding us helping us like a caring mother, and parent. Try it yourself & see the results!

Origins and History of Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti, which means devotion and love for a divine being, originated from ancient texts called the Vedas in Sanatan Dharma. These sacred texts laid the foundation for various spiritual paths, including bhakti yoga.

One of the most inspiring examples of Bhakti Yoga is found in the story of Prahalad Maharaj, a young devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada’s father, was a powerful demon king who was granted a boon that made him virtually indestructible. He was arrogant and did not like Lord Vishnu.

However, Prahlada, stayed a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu even though his father didn’t like it. Even when things were tough, Prahalad Maharaj’s love for God was like a bright shining light that guided him through the darkest times.

Sants and Mystics of Bhakti Yoga

In Bhakti Yoga, saints and mystics have had a big impact. These spiritual figures have played a crucial role in fostering a devotional attitude (aparabhakti) among devotees.

Through their teachings and guidance, they have introduced mantras, which are sacred sounds or phrases that help deepen one’s connection with the divine.

This aspect of Hinduism has greatly contributed to the growth and popularity of Bhakti Yoga as a path to spiritual enlightenment.

Mira Bai

One of the most celebrated bhakti sant from the 6th century was an Indian princess and poetess who dedicated her life to devotion and love for Lord Krishna.

She wrote poems and songs about her love for God. Despite facing opposition and criticism from her own family and society, she remained steadfast in her devotion and became an inspiration for generations to come.

Mirabai’s unwavering faith and her ability to find solace and strength in her love for Krishna make her an important figure in the Bhakti Yoga tradition.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

A 16th-century Indian saint and mystic who played a significant role in the development of Bhakti Yoga. He is the incarnation of Lord Krishna who appeared to give us the Gift of Holy Names of God, the practice of congregational chanting of the holy names of God, known as Sankirtan.

With his ecstatic chanting gatherings he had spread joyous devotion throughout India.

Sant Tulsidas

Wrote Ramcharitmanas that tells the story of Lord Rama simply and devotedly. The poetry and songs, filled with heartfelt devotion, continue to resonate with spiritual seekers even today.

Bhakti Yoga Philosophy

Let’s explore the key aspects and philosophical foundations of bhakti yoga:

Devotional Love: A Strong Bond

Devotional love lies at the heart of Bhakti Yoga philosophy. It is through love that practitioners establish an intimate relationship with the divine. This love is so strong that it makes him do everything with pure devotion, beyond just regular feelings.

Surrender: Letting Go to Find Freedom

Prapatti, or surrender, plays a vital role in Bhakti Yoga philosophy. By surrendering one’s ego-driven desires and attachments, one opens oneself up to a higher power that guides their actions and decisions.

Surrendering does not imply passivity; rather, it encourages individuals to actively engage in life while recognizing that they are part of a larger cosmic plan.

The divine will guide us in the best way. That’s what motivates bhakti yogis. In surrendering to the divine, bhakti yogis find freedom from the burdens of anxieties and worries about outcomes. They learn to accept whatever comes their way as an expression of divine grace, ultimately leading to spiritual wellness

Exploring the Idea of Ishta Devata (Preferred Deity) in Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti yoga recognizes that each individual has unique inclinations and preferences. The concept of Ishta Devata refers to choosing a personal deity or form of God that resonates deeply with one’s heart. This chosen deity becomes a focal point for devotion and serves as a means to develop an intimate relationship with the divine.

The Purpose of Bhakti Yoga

The real purpose of Bhakti Yoga is to connect to the divine love within us and then share that love with others.

Developing an Intimate Relationship with our Creator the Divine

In the Srimad Bhagavatam7.5.23-24, the purpose of Bhakti Yoga is beautifully described by Prahalad Maharaj. He says that if someone dedicates their life to serving Lord Krishna through the 9 ways like listening and singing holy names, they should be considered as the most LEARNED PERSON. As they have the real knowledge.

Experiencing Divine Love and Bliss

By immersing oneself in devotional practices such as chanting mantras or singing kirtan hymns, we can experience a profound sense of connection with Ishavar, God. This brings us to our true selves as a spark of divinity that is always joyful.

Cultivating Gratitude, Unity and Humility

Practising bhakti yoga helps us appreciate and be thankful for everything in life.
At its core, Bhakti Yoga teaches us to channel our love for God into every aspect of our lives. It encourages us to see the divine in ourselves and others. This helps in fostering a sense of interconnection and unity.

Solace, Peace, and Emotional Healing

In our hectic lives filled with stress and anxiety, bhakti yoga offers solace and inner peace. Engaging in devotional practices allows individuals to find refuge from worldly worries by surrendering them at the feet of a higher power.