Bhakti-Yoga

Bhakti Yoga ( Sanskrit, m. , भक्ति योग, bhakti yoga ) in Hinduism is the name given to the path of loving devotion to God, which is generally regarded as personal. Bhakti is to be found in all major directions of Hinduism, Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism. It uses Bhakti feelings as a way to get close to God or to unite with him or her. Mostly it presupposes a dualistic conception of God, since it is assumed that love need an object. But Bhakti plays also in the non-dualistic Advaita philosophy a role, such as in devotion to a guru who is regarded as the incarnation of God, or in the form of Ishta Devatas, ie a personal deity who embodies the Absolute for the purpose of worship.

The worship can take many forms. Some traditional expressions of bhakti are:

• Japa - The repetition of divine names or mantras in thoughts or in words.
• Kirtana - Rhythmic antiphon just such divine names and mantras. Here, a singer or even the guru sings the mantra, and the congregation sings after. The whole thing is repeated with varying melody and words.
• Bhajans - Singing together religious songs. The content of such songs are mostly poems of saints such as Mirabai, Kabir, Tukaram and many others.
• Pujas - religious ceremony in front of a statue or image of the deity ( or even a guru ) symbolic items such as fruits, rice, light and coconut are offered. The puja usually consists of an invocation ( Avahanam ) of the deity, as well as praise. It may consist of a mixture of Sanskrit and the local language.
• Seva - service to the deity. Any activity can be understood as a service to the Deity, and are offered inside her. One should not stick to the fruits of action and do not acknowledge themselves as the agent according to the Bhagavad Gita. This setting is also known as Karma Yoga.

Krishna - Bhakti

The motivation of the Krishna devotees ( bhaktas ) is to increase the joy of God. The perfected form of this attitude, however, is comparatively rare to find. The majority of the worshipers is somewhere on the path to transcendent purity, where everything through pure love (Prema ) is determined. Therefore, the Bhagavata mentioned in the third book of the mixed bhakti mixed with the three Gunas of the material world ( Prakriti ).

In Bhagavata, a central text of the Krishna devotees, Krishna explains:

Who wants nothing for himself, the Bridled, of whose soul the One recognizes peace Fulfilled, in all, the only finds satisfaction in Me, for all parts of the world full of happiness. Not he wants the glory of the Creator of the world ( Brahma ), or the King of heaven ( Indra ), or dominion over all the earth, or power over the kingdoms of the world, neither yoga power ( siddhis ) nor liberation ( Moksha ). He only wants one thing, to give his whole being to me, or he does not want anything. ( Bh 11.14.13-14, quoted from " The Indian love of God " by Walther Eidlitz )

The singing or speaking ( kirtana ) of the name of God is highlighted by all four major schools of Vishnu Bhakti. In many Krishna temples of India is sung without ceasing, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. " Bhaja Govinda ", " Haribol ", " Bolo Krishna " and " Bhaja Gauranga " are just a few examples, as is done by the writings or the vernacular attention to the name of God. The scriptures state the name of God and God Himself are identical. Who is in the attitude of Bhakti dedicate singing or speaking, the light on this inner knowledge. This is called ( the breaking of the word sense ) Sphota. The previously only perceptible shadow shell name, belonged sound through the ear, draw back, and the eternal, real name to do on their own initiative in its true nature be seen. " The singing has experienced the consequence that one awakens his love for Krsna and divine bliss ( Ananda ). Finally, one attains Krishna and gets the nectar of loving dedication, as if you were immersed in a large sea of ​​love " is as basic mentioned and goal of singing in Chaitanya Charitamrita ( 3:20:14 ).

The Brihan - naradiya Purana ( 38.126 ) emphasizes this by threefold repetition: harer nama nama harer harer nama ... By this verse the meaning of the " name of Hari " is (a name of Krishna / Vishnu ), stressed to our present age.

Love relationship with God

The revival and development of the love of God (Prema ) is considered perfection. Therefore Bhakti Yoga is primarily of relationships. Rasa ( divine flavor ) is the ever - fresh delight of the 5 main types of relationships in Vraja ( Vraja is unlimited in itself " location " within the spiritual world and is among the Krishna - bhaktas as the highest love kingdom of God. Therefore Krishna is in the writings Rasaraja, the King of Love tastes, or Akhila -rasa - amrita - murtih, the reservoir of all kinds of love flavor, called. )

• Shanti - bhava: The neutral relationship, met in the certainty of God's love carrying them with the deepest divine peace.
• Dasya - bhava: the tireless love of a faithful servant to his beloved Lord.
• Sakhya - bhava: Friendship love. In Vraja young playmates belong to this group. By divine influence these friends forget the all-powerful position of the Lord, that the loving feelings of friendship and equality is not hindered.
• Vatsalya - Bhava: Parental love. Krishna reveals himself as a child and the bhakta is convinced by divine influence, he is my own child they care for loving. Yashoda and Nanda and also the nurses and neighbors in Vraja belong to this circle.
• Sringara - bhava: Even Madhurya - called bhava. God's love, like a wife her husband, or a lover loves her lover, without intent for personal happiness. Within this group are the gopis ( cowherd girls ) in Vraja the most intimate circle of lovers of God.

These relationships take place on a level of transcendence, where all participants have an eternal spiritual body, free from the spirit of exploitation, free from selfish intentions.

Essence of Krishna - Bhakti

The Vaishnavas, those who worship the Krishna / Vishnu or their avatars through the process of Bhakti yoga, understand themselves as monotheists. The Supreme Lord is One. According to their doctrine Krishna (God) is always one, even though he can reproduce limitless. This is seen as an aspect of unlimited power and at the same time demonstrating his ability to make himself the love of every individual in many ways accessible.

Shiva Bhakti and Bhakti Devi

In Shaivism and Shaktism is Bhakti Yoga to find. In the early days of the Bhakti movement of Shaivism was strongly represented, while later groups and philosophies were also strongly aligned ritualistic and spiritualistic. However, the popular puranische Shaivism contains strong devotional units within the meaning of bhakti yoga. From the 12th century the movement of Virashaivas or Lingayats against Vedic - Brahmanical traditions leaned on and formed a Shiva Bhakti movement. Some shivaitische groups such as the Aghoris and Gorakhnathis also revere their founders, which are regarded as incarnations of Shiva. Many groups that are considered vishnuitisch, also worship Shiva. One of the biggest Asketengruppen who commit the Shivaratri festival, the Vishnu Raman Andis. Even more pronounced than in the Bhakti Shaivism is the goddesses in Shaktism. The number of songs and hymns dedicated to Devi and her manifestations is extensive and the worship of the goddess is typologically indistinguishable from the Krishna - bhakti.

Other forms of classical yoga

In addition to the Bhakti Yoga Hinduism defines two other spiritual paths, which are classic ways to salvation ( Moksha ).

• Jnana Yoga: Path of Knowledge
• Karma Yoga: salvation by deeds without attachment

Some teachers of Hinduism, such as Swami Vivekananda include a fourth way to do that:

• Raja Yoga: " Yoga King ", combined with meditation.

Quotes

So some come free from fear to me, free from covetousness and passion. The hearts they hold on me, and are purified by the fire of love, and go one at death into my life. ( Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, 4.10)

Think of me, be my Bhakta, adore me, and show me your reverence. In this way, steadfastly connected with me, you will find me, attain the highest goal. ( Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, 9:34 )

Who wants no being evil and free of hatred and selfishness and merciful ... became totally gives me ... which is dear to me. ( Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita 12.13-14 )

In Devi Bhagavata, an important text in honor of the goddess, Bhakti includes love of neighbor and lets the goddess herself about her Bhakta, her admirer, saying, He sees all individual souls ( jivan ) in me and loves me, how he himself loves. He makes no distinction between the individual soul and me, because he sees the same spirit manifested in everything. ( 7.37.11-20 )