What is Bhakti Yoga?

Source: Krsna app

Bhakti yoga is obviously a yoga process, so just a few words on what a yoga process is.

Between us and the absolute truth is the material manifestation. It’s born of the modes of nature and contains the dualities of material life based on attachment and aversion with which we identify at every second. More importantly, it obscures the supreme reality from us.

A yoga process is a way to neutralize the effects of the material manifestation so that we are connected or joined with the absolute truth again. The absolute truth, as it turns out, is full of ananda - bliss, and when we are connected or joined with it and the effects of the material manifestation are neutralized, we can share in that bliss, and give up the less interesting happiness and distress of material life. All the yoga processes contain a well-delineated series of actions that can be done with the mind and body, and rely on the individual’s proficiency in applying their process. Except for Bhakti yoga.

In ashtanga yoga, mastery of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, and so on are required for union with the absolute. The easier steps are likely to take many years to perfect and the more difficult ones many lifetimes. It demands undeviating attention to every detail and requires the exclusion of any worldly interests.

In Jnana yoga, discrimination, detachment, hearing, analysis, contemplation and so on are required. This limits it to those calm enough, self-controlled enough, and intelligent enough to spend lifetimes absorbed in the process to the exclusion of any worldly interests.

Bhakti yoga is different, it is the yoga of devotion. Bhakti yoga starts with accepting the conclusion that the absolute truth is a person. This makes a huge difference because a person can reciprocate. In Bhakti yoga it is not our efforts alone that we depend on, but the reciprocation of another person, Krishna, is also at work.

We may try our level best in Ashtanga yoga, Jnana yoga, Karma yoga, with all sincerity, but if we fall short there is nothing to catch us and help. In Bhakti yoga there is.

Krishna is attracted by Bhakti, He is attracted to those sincerely trying to cultivate Bhakti. He is attracted to anyone His pure Bhakta smiles upon with gratitude. The science of Bhakti yoga is the science of attracting Krishna by pleasing Him. Once Krishna is pleased the path is smooth.

How to attract the all-attractive?

Loving devotional service rendered with humility, sincerity, full surrender, eagerness, patience, tolerance, cleanliness, enthusiasm, regularity (and more), is attractive to Krishna. The activities in Bhakti yoga are ways to cultivate and demonstrate these qualities for the pleasure of Krishna. When I first came to know about Bhakti yoga, I thought it was a shameless seduction. We are trying to seduce Krishna by acting in certain ways, by performing certain rituals, giving up certain things.

All but the most fortunate of us are aware of the rituals of mundane seduction even if we haven’t ever tried them. We watch our target and try to anticipate what they would like, then try to provide it. We endeavor to be in the right place at the right time, doing the right things. We note what they like to eat, wear, do and hear about and try to arrange it. Spies do this, unscrupulous men and women do this, and Bhaktas do it also.

Few devotees have simply Krishna’s pleasure in mind on the first day. But the application of the process gradually leads to this. With the help of Krishna internally and guru externally, the Bhakta tries his or her best to develop a consciousness that is attractive to Krishna, by performing a multitude of activities. They may be devoid of loving devotion, but the fact that the devotee is making the effort with some humility and sincerity is enough to make progress.

Krishna is no fool. He knows exactly why a person is doing something. The externals may appear lavish, gorgeous and dripping with loving sentiment, while inside there is a burning desire for fame, followers and fortune. Krishna is right there at the heart of the matter and knows exactly what is going on.

This is not all bad, because we may have very few possessions, not much expertise, not much learning and education, but the right attitude. With the little at our disposal, we can still please the Lord, if the attitude is right. And that’s all it takes to be successful in Bhakti yoga. With the right attitude, we will want to do what is most pleasing to Krishna, we will want to offer Him what He wants, so we will research it and there is plenty written by great authorities to guide us.

‘The Nectar of devotion’ is a Summary Study in English of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī's Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. It is a comprehensive guide to the activities of Bhakti yoga and covers the simplest and most esoteric points. By applying this science a person can experience a real connection with the Absolute Truth, Lord Sri Krishna, within this lifetime. The effect of the material world can be neutralized by using it in the Lord’s service and material happiness and distress are displaced once and for all by an eternal loving relationship with Krishna. None of this happens by our efforts alone, but by the mercy of the Lord who rewards His devotees as they surrender to Him.

In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna urges Arjuna to be a yogi, and of all the different kinds of yogis, Krishna says that the yogi who renders transcendental loving service to Him is the most intimately united with Him and is the highest of all.

As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Prtha. Bg 4.11 

To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me. To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance. Bg 10.10-11

Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination. He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes. Bg 9.30-31

For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear. Bg 18.68-69.

Author

Murari Das is supporter of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. He is preaching about Krishna consciousness and message of Bhagavad Gita.