Bhakti yoga

Question 1

What is Bhakti yoga?

Answer 1

The easiest way to achieve moksha, it focuses on a deep love for Brahman in the form Ishvara.

Question 2

Who can practice Bhakti?

Answer 2

Anyone, it disregards caste, scriptures and all other divisions. It is seen as rebellious and can be practiced by anyone as anyone is able to have loving relationship and this can be transferred to god.

Question 3

What is bhava?

Answer 3

When the worshiper becomes so devoted that the self is totally forgotten. This is the true relationship between god and the worshipper.

Question 4

What are the five forms of bhava?

Answer 4

1. Shanta-the worshiper is peaceful. 2. Dasya-the worshiper is a servant to god. 3. Sakhya-god is regarded as a friend. 4. Vatsalya-god is seen as a child to be nurtured. 5. Madhurya-god is seen as a lover and the worshiper and god become one.

Question 5

Describe Sakamya Bhakti and nishkama Bhakti

Answer 5

1. Devotion with desire for material gain. 2. When the worshiper seeks to become one with Brahman.

Question 6

Descibe apara Bhakti and para Bhakti

Answer 6

1. God is worshipped through a murti as supreme. 2. God’s power and god are seen in all things.

Question 7

Who practices vaishnava Bhakti?

Answer 7

Vaishnavites, it is the idea that if you love god, he will love you back and will eliminate your Karma and make you one with Brahman.

Question 8

How is Bhakti presented in the Bhagavad Gita?

Answer 8

It is a major theme, the loving relationship between god and worshipper can be compared to human experiences of being in love.

Question 9

What is Krishna Bhakti?

Answer 9

Practiced by ISKCON, this aims to focus the mind utterly on Krishna as Bhagavan.

Question 10

Describe the maha mantra

Answer 10

An ISCKON teaching, consciousness of the divine will be achieved through chanting the names of god to keep god in the devotee’s mind.

Question 11

What name is given to the private chanting of mantra in the ISKCON?

Answer 11

Nama japa, it is done using a Mala rosary of 108 beads.

Question 12

What is kirtana?

Answer 12

The public chanting of mantras, this is a major feature of the ISKCON.

Question 13

Describe Dharshan and murtis

Answer 13

A murti is an image of a god, Dharshan is the idea that when one looks into the eyes of a murti, one is looking into the eyes of god. Murtis are treated with great respect.

Question 14

What is the name given to the offering of fire to deities?

Answer 14

Arti, fire is waved in front of the murtis whilst mantras are chanted.

Question 15

What is the name given to the offering of fire to deities?

Answer 15

Arti, fire is waved in front of the murtis whilst mantras are chanted.

Question 16

Describe prashadam

Answer 16

The offering of food to a deity, the congregation may then eat some of the food as they are eating god’s food.

Question 17

Give two major issues with Bhakti yoga

Answer 17

1. It is difficult to maintain intense love for god over a long period. 2. In its highest form, you must not ask anything from god.

Question 18

What are three benefits of Bhakti yoga?

Answer 18

1. It is accessible to all. 2. The best path according to Ramanuja and the Bhagavad Gita. 3. Easy to do.

Question 19

How did Sankara criticize Bhakti yoga?

Answer 19

It is linked with lower knowledge and the material world, murtis tie us to maya. God and the soul are the same, so worshipping a murti is like worshiping oneself.

Question 20

What is another issue with Bhakti yoga?

Answer 20

According to shankara Bhakti is maya as murtis do not exist.