What is Bhakti Yoga?
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18, Verse 55: Only through loving devotion to Me does one discover who I am in Truth. Then, having come to know Me, My devotee enters into full consciousness of Me. - Lord Shree Krishna
The Supreme Lord Swaminarayan defined Bhakti for us in the last half of verse one hundred and three of His Shikshapatri by saying that: Devotion (Bhakti) means profound love for Bhagwan Shree Krishna accompanied by the knowledge of His glory. The word "bhakti" comes from the Sanskrit root "bhaj," meaning "to love." The definition of performing yoga is to yoke, join, unite, or form a union between one's self and the Supreme Lord. Therefore, Bhakti Yoga means unifying with the Supreme Lord through profound love, accompanied by the knowledge of His glory.
Bhakti Yoga is one of the four paths of yoga within the philosophy of the Sanatan Dharma. Karma Yoga (selfless action), Jnana Yoga (knowledge and wisdom), and Raja Yoga (meditation and control of the mind) compose the remaining three. Sanatan Dharma means "eternal order". It is an ancient religious and philosophical tradition originating from the Indian subcontinent. The ultimate goal of Bhakti Yoga is attaining a state of complete union with the Supreme Lord through the expression of love and devotional service.
In Bhakti Yoga, the practitioner establishes a personal relationship with the Supreme Lord through the worship of His divine form, recitation of prayers, chanting the Mahamantra (japa), singing devotional songs (kirtans), reading and listening to readings of sacred scriptures (Katha), and performing mental worship (Mansi Pooja). Practicing Bhakti Yoga involves surrendering the ego and developing selfless love, service, and devotion towards the Supreme Lord.
By immersing oneself in devotion and cultivating a pure heart, Bhakti Yoga allows one to experience the Supreme Lord's divine presence and attain spiritual liberation (moksha). Individuals from any background can practice Bhakti Yoga. It continues to deepen the spiritual connection to the Supreme Lord of millions of people today.
According to Sanatan Dharma, Kali Yuga, the fourth and present age in the Vedic cycle of four Yugas, is marred by moral degradation, ignorance, and spiritual deterioration. Bhakti Yoga is the surest and most accessible path to liberation in the current Kali Yuga for several reasons, including:
Bhakti Yoga doesn't necessitate a high level of intellectual ability, the abandonment of material obligations, or intricate ceremonies. It places emphasis on how straightforward it is to express one's love, devotion, and submission to the Supreme Lord. People from all backgrounds can follow this path, regardless of their intellectual prowess, social standing, or material wealth. It is simple to integrate Bhakti Yoga into our daily lives.
People are more emotionally motivated in Kali Yuga. To promote a strong connection with the Supreme Lord, Bhakti Yoga acknowledges this and uses the strength of emotions. It inspires people to develop a deep love, devotion, and yearning for God. Practitioners can experience a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and spiritual progress by fostering an emotional connection with the Supreme Lord.
Wrath, jealousy, and greed predominate Kali Yuga. Bhakti yoga encourages us to develop empathy, forgiveness, and compassion for ourselves and others. By developing these abilities, we meet the challenges of Kali Yuga and advance peace, love, and understanding in our interpersonal relationships and society as a whole.
The concept of submission is essential in Bhakti Yoga. Practitioners acquire the ability to give their egos, wants, and attachments to God. In a condition of grace, the Supreme Lord bestows blessings and direction upon His devotees as a result of this submission. Surrendering to the Supreme Lord Swaminarayan can offer comfort, protection, and guidance on the path to freedom in the age of Kali when personal effort and control over outside events are limited.
Bhakti Yoga offers a variety of devotional exercises to suit various personalities and preferences. These practices include privately chanting the Mahamantra “Swaminarayan” or recalling the divine pastimes of the Supreme Lord, participating in Satsang, studying scriptures, singing devotional kirtans or congregational chanting of the Mahamantra (dhoon), and engaging in meditation upon the physical characteristics of the divine form of the Supreme Lord Swaminarayan. These devotional practices stimulate mental clarity and emotional stability while developing a strong spiritual bond.
Bhakti Yoga emphasizes unconditional, all-encompassing divine love and instructs people to love and serve the Supreme Lord without expectation of reward. In the materialistic and self-centered age of Kali, this transforms our consciousness and purifies our hearts through the practice of this unselfish love.
Bhakti Yoga promotes the development of Satsangs or divine fellowships, where devotees congregate, offer one another support, and partake in communal devotional practices. Being a member of such a welcoming group offers comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging on the spiritual path in Kali Yuga, where individualism and isolation are rampant.
Bhakti Yoga is a spiritual path that emphasizes love and devotion to the Supreme Lord. Numerous people have demonstrated the transformative potential of Bhakti Yoga through their persistent dedication, selfless service, and profound spiritual experiences.
Mirabai, an Indian mystic poetess from Rajasthan, is an example of how Bhakti Yoga can change lives. Her unwavering faith and dedication to her spiritual path, in spite of societal opposition and difficulties, changed her life and touched the hearts of countless people.
Swami Vivekananda, a significant figure in the rebirth of Hinduism during the 19th century, was a spiritual teacher whose devotion to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa inspired him to pursue a spiritual path and make it his goal to disseminate Vedanta throughout the world. Vivekananda became a kind and enlightened soul due to his spiritually awakening experiences under Sri Ramakrishna's guidance. His Bhakti Yoga teachings emphasize the value of unselfish love and service to humanity as a method of realizing one's own divinity.
Radhanath Swami, an American-born spiritual teacher, has demonstrated the transforming potential of Bhakti Yoga through his selfless service endeavors, such as food distribution, educational programs, and healthcare projects. His altruistic outlook and unwavering commitment to others' well-being demonstrate Bhakti Yoga's capacity to advance both social harmony and spiritual development.
Jeffrey Kagel, better known as Krishna Das, is an American kirtan singer who has achieved international renown in the Bhakti Yoga community. He has devoted his life to spreading the practice of kirtan, the devotional chanting of the divine names, which was inspired by his own spiritual path and interactions with Indian saints and teachers. Krishna Das has made devotional chanting accessible to many Americans through his performances, workshops, and recordings, providing people with a means of developing a personal relationship with the Supreme Lord.
These are only a few brief examples of notable people who provide potent illustrations of how Bhakti Yoga can transform lives. They have motivated others to explore the depths of their spiritual connection to the Supreme Lord through their passion, love, and service, emphasizing the universality of Bhakti Yoga and its capacity to enhance lives, communities, and the world at large.