Bhakti yoga

Question 1

What is Bhakti yoga?

Answer 1

The simplest way to gain moksha, it is advocated by the Bhagavad Gita and ramanuja and focuses on love and devotion to an Ishvara god.

Question 2

What is Bhakti about?

Answer 2

Inner feelings as opposed to organized religion, it can be practiced by anyone as all people are able to feel love. It is seen as a rebellious movement as it opposes caste.

Question 3

What is bhava?

Answer 3

When the worshipper grows in devotion and the self is completely forgotten.

Question 4

What are the first two bhava?

Answer 4

Shanta- the worshiper is peaceful and his heart is filled with joy. Dasya- the worshipper sees himself as a servant to god.

Question 5

What are the next two bhava?

Answer 5

Sakhya- the worshipper sees god as a friend. Vatsalya- the worshipper sees god as his child.

Question 6

What is the last bhava?

Answer 6

Madhurya- the worshiper sees god as a lover and they become one.

Question 7

What are the four types of Bhakti?

Answer 7

1. Sakamya- for material wealth. 2. Nishkamya- to become one with Brahman. 3. Apara- performing puja to a murti. 4. Para- highest form, seeing god in all things.

Question 8

Give four ways of showing love to god.

Answer 8

1. Puja. 2. Temple worship. 3. Yatra. 4. ISKON

Question 9

What is Krishna Bhakti?

Answer 9

Devotion to Krishna as the one lord, practiced by ISKON.

Question 10

What is the Maha mantra?

Answer 10

Chanted by ISKON members to keep god in their minds at all times.

Question 11

What is nama japa?

Answer 11

Private chanting using a mala rosary of 108 beads, this is to be done 16 times per day.

Question 12

What is kirtana?

Answer 12

Sininging mantras in a congregation and on the streets.

Question 13

What is Dharshan?

Answer 13

Worshiping the murti, looking into its eyes and seeing god.

Question 14

What is arti?

Answer 14

The offering of fire to a deity whilst mantas are chanted

Question 15

What is prashadam?

Answer 15

The eating of food that has been offered to the gods, it allows ISKON members to eat god’s food.

Question 16

Give three benefits of Bhakti

Answer 16

1. Accessible to all castes. 2. Best path for ramanuja and Bhagavad Gita. 3. Easy as all can experience a loving relationship with god.

Question 17

Give three criticisms of Bhakti

Answer 17

1. It is only useful to aid Jnana mediation, murtis don’t actually exist. 2. It is hard to maintain complete devotion to god. 3. It is difficult to do all actions selflessly and devote oneself with no reward.

Question 18

What does sankara say about Bhakti?

Answer 18

It is a lower level of knowledge and ties us to maya. There is no room for a personal god in advaita Vedanta.

Question 19

What is vaishnava Bhakti?

Answer 19

The idea that if you love god, god will love you back and he will eliminate your karma.

Question 20

What does the Bhagavad Gita teach?

Answer 20

Bhakti is a major theme, the relationship between devotee and deity can be compared to human experiences of loving and being in love. Moksha is not gained through action, but through god’s love.