Significance of Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga is a spiritual path defined as the practice of devotion and love towards a personal deity, primarily aimed at attaining union with the Divine. It embodies selfless service and devotion, fostering pure love for God. The practice is integral to various Hindu philosophies, reinforcing emotional connections and spiritual fulfillment. It emphasizes the importance of loving devotion, often viewed as a means to achieve spiritual liberation and a closer relationship with the Supreme.
Synonyms: Path of devotion, Yoga of devotion, Devotion, Love, Worship, Spiritual practice, Devotion to god, Devotional path, Divine love, Devotional worship, Devotion path
In Dutch: Bhakti Yoga; In Swedish: Bhakti Yoga; In Malay: Bhakti Yoga; In French: Bhakti Yoga; In Spanish: Yoga bhakti; In Finnish: Bhakti jooga; In Finnish: Bhaktijooga; In German: Yoga mit Yoga-Übungen; In German: Yoga in der Natur; In German: Yoga gegen Angst
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Bhakti Yoga'
Bhakti Yoga in Hinduism encompasses a devotional path that fosters a loving relationship with the Supreme, particularly Shri Krishna, enabling spiritual growth, liberation, and a pure heart through dedicated service and devotion, especially significant in the current age, Kali-yuga.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Refers to the relationship and activities with God as part of devotional service.[1] (2) Refers to the path of devotional service, focused on devotion and love for the Supreme.[2] (3) A spiritual path focused on devotion and love towards a personal god, often associated with practices that enhance one's devotional sentiments.[3] (4) The ultimate practice of devotional service, focused on loving devotion towards the divine.[4] (5) The path of devotion that leads one closer to the Supreme Lord, valued above other methods.[5]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) The practice of devotional service aimed at attaining union with the Divine, promoting pure love for God.[6] (2) The yoga of devotional service that practitioners engage in to connect with the divine, without interruption.[7] (3) the practice of devotion, aiming for a deep absorption in the Lord.[8] (4) The practice of devotion, which when aligned with Shri-nama alleviates anxiety linked to strict adherence to varnashrama.[9] (5) The practice of devotional service, which when transcended through shri-nama, frees one from the anxieties of strict adherence to varnashrama.[10]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The process of devotional service through which one can attain a pure heart and elevate themselves to experience the Supreme Person, Shri Krishna.[11] (2) A devotional path that naturally bestows purity on its practitioners, as they engage in selfless service to Mukunda, contrasting the struggles faced in ashtanga-yoga.[12] (3) The practice of devotion that leads to the realization of one's relationship with the Supreme Lord, Bhagavan Shri Vasudeva, culminating in service to Him.[13] (4) Bhakti-yoga is a spiritual path that emphasizes love and devotion, recognized for its simplicity and effectiveness in the current age, Kali-yuga, in contrast to other spiritual practices.[14] (5) The worship of Bhagavan Shri Vasudeva performed through nama-sankirtana, recognized as the supreme dharma.[15]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) The practice of yoga focused on devotion and love for the Supreme, which leads to spiritual awakening and fulfillment.[16] (2) A spiritual practice that involves devotion to Shri Krishna, described as having both primary and secondary forms.[17] (3) Loving devotional service to Bhagavan Shri Krishna, initiated through the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.[18] (4) The path of devotion aimed at achieving spiritual liberation and eternal happiness by serving God.[19]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) Unlike the discipline of ‘Bhakti yoga� indicated in the three preceding stanzas; denotes a form of devotion that is limited to certain individuals.[20] (2) One of the spiritual paths mentioned as a means to seek communion with the Lord.[21] (3) Devotional practice and love for the Lord, recognized by the Alvar as a potential pathway to communion.[22]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) The path of devotion; a spiritual practice focusing on love and devotion to the divine.[23] (2) Bhakti-yoga is the spiritual practice of loving devotion towards God, emphasized in the text as essential for worship.[24]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) Devotional service as preached by Lord Gaura, emphasizing love and service towards God.[25]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) A devotional path emphasizing love and faith in the Supreme Being, with connections drawn to Christian theology.[26]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) A spiritual path that focuses on devotion to the Divine, considered the easiest form of yoga for attaining knowledge and liberation.[27]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) The path of devotion in the Gita, which also complements the practice of Karma-Yoga.[28]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) A spiritual path centered on devotion to a deity, which progresses through various stages of attachment and realization.[29] (2) The path of devotion as a means of attaining spiritual realization and liberation.[30]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) The path of loving devotion to God, expressed through ritual worship, prayer, and japa, cultivating a direct personal relationship between the worshiper and worshiped.[31]
The concept of Bhakti Yoga in local and regional sources
Bhakti Yoga embodies a profound spiritual path centered on devotion and love for a personal deity, fostering emotional connection and unity with the divine, ultimately guiding practitioners towards spiritual elevation and liberation in Hindu philosophy.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A spiritual path focused on devotion and love for a personal deity.[32] (2) The devotional path in Hinduism, which emphasizes love and devotion towards God as a means to attain Moksha.[33] (3) The path of devotion to a personal god.[34] (4) The devotional path to God emphasizing love and surrender, seen as a better alternative to rituals for achieving spiritual union.[35] (5) A path of devotion in Hindu philosophy that Wordsworth aligns with through his heartfelt relationship with nature.[36]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This is a philosophical concept that is related to devotion, and it is reconciled with Jnana-Yoga, where both paths lead to the same ultimate realization.[37] (2) This is divided into preparatory and supreme forms, representing a path to spiritual growth and connection with the divine through devotion.[38] (3) This refers to a class discussing a specific preparatory idea, involving the worship of God alone, which can manifest in various forms and ideas, as mentioned in the text.[39] (4) This is a path to realizing one's divinity through devotion and love directed towards a Personal God, a specific deity.[40] (5) This is the science of higher love, offering guidance on how to direct, control, manage, and use the emotion, ultimately leading to spiritual blessedness by focusing love towards the highest.[41]