Friday, September 7, 2012

What is Bhakti Yoga?

Bhakti is derived from the Sanskrit word bhaj, which means - loving service. Yoga in Sanskrit means - connection. Bhakti yoga means to connect to the supreme by means of loving pure devotional service.

We all have love or Bhakti within our self. However, it is in dormant state. There is a simple way to awaken this dormant loving service to the supreme personality of Godhead. This process is laid down by Lord Sri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahabrabhu, the incarnation of Lord Krishna in this present age has mercifully made this process very simple and enjoyable. Srila prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON has made this process famous all over the world.

The process of awakening love is not just purifying but also fully satisfying. This purification process consists of three main principles - Chanting, dancing & feasting.

Chanting of pure names of Lord can be done simply by regularly chanting Hare Krishna mahamantra - Hare Krishna Hare Krishna / Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama / Rama Rama Hare Hare. The chanting can be done as minimum fixed rounds on japa mala or it can be done together in congregation with musical instruments.

Dancing is also an important part of the purification to attain love. Dancing is done gracefully in front of the Lord. Dancing engages our whole body in glorification of the Supreme personality of Godhead.

Feasting means only eating food that has been specifically cooked and lovingly offered to Lord Krishna. Such food or also called prasadam is free of karma and does not entangle us in the cycle of repeated birth and death.

No comments:

Post a Comment