| |
|
Principles
and Practice of Hindu Religion A
Comprehensive Study of the Ancient Tradition and
the Perennial Philosophy | Chapter
- VI : Yoga - The Daily
Practice of the Faith |
An
Applied Method of Practice of the Agamas and the
Vedas to lead a Pious and Peaceful Way of Life |
|
| |
Lesson
- 91 : The Pathway of Bhakthi or Devotion The
Pathway of Devotional Prayers, Love and Surrender |
Bhakthi
Yoga is the Spiritual discipline of devotion or love and attachment
directed only to God. It is the devotion to one's personal God in one of the forms.
This is in contrast to the formless and impersonal supreme divinity of the Jñana
Yogin and the Advaithin. At times, the concept of a personal Deity is erroneously
described by some as a projection of the human mind. Hinduism does support such
a view. According to Advaitha or non-dualism, the supreme impersonal Divinity
or Brahman appears as God in various forms through its own inscrutable creative
power, the Yoga Maya. The devotee sees everything as a manifestation of God, and
there is no place for jealousy, hatred, anger, greed or egoistic pride. The discipline
of Bhakthi is the easiest and most natural of all yogas. It does not demand any
change or suppression of desires or any normal human impulses. It only calls for
the devotees to turn them towards God. The devotee sees God in every thing and
every thing in God. |
|
Some
times, imperfect knowledge leads one to be narrow minded, and to consider his
devotion and his ideals are superior. It shows a dislike to the religious ideals
of others. This leads to hatred, cruelty, war and blood shed through fanaticism.
The doctrine of Bhakti Yoga does not support this action. They see God everywhere.
During the initial or preparatory phase of Bhakthi, one desires for the spiritual
discipline and prays to one of the several forms of God in addition to all their
materialistic way of life. In the advanced stage, the devotee feels God within
himself and everywhere around him. He will be always happy and nothing shakes
his beliefs or makes him sad. In Bhakthi doctrine, a devotee may see God in ever
so many forms all the time in their prayers. This inner attitude that expresses
this relationship is called Bhava. They see Him as a Master, as a mother, as a
child, as a brother, as a father, as a servant, as a friend or even as a husband
or lover with the devotees as the girl friends who totally surrender all of themselves.
They consider the path of devotion [Bhakthi] is the ultimate way to reach salvation,
after following the path of selfless duty [Karma] and obtaining knowledge [Jñaana]
of the Divine as the Supreme Reality.
|
| |
|
Sanãthana
Dharma ãsthra |
| Lessons:
- 81
, 82 , 83 , 84
, 85 , 86 , 87
, 88 , 89
, 90 , 91 , 92
, 93 , 94 , 95
, 96 . | |
|
|
|