W7YogicPHil/BHAKTI/3of4

Question 1

Bhakti Yoga

The path of devotion

Answer 1

Bhakti Yoga - The path of devotion

• Bhakti Yoga comes naturally to the emotional
  temperament.
• Most direct way to Godrealisation.
• Approach of pure love in which the lower motions are transmuted into devotion.

Question 2

What is very important in Bhakti Yoga?

Answer 2

The bhava, or devotional feeling of the devotee, is

very important. T

Question 3

How many Bhavas are there in Bhakti Yoga?

Answer 3

There are five different bhavas in Bhakti Yoga

Question 4

Recite the 5 Bhavas (devotional feelings of devotee) in Bhakti Yoga?

Answer 4

Bhakti Yoga:

Bhakti Yoga: MY SUMMARY

1. Shanta Bhava (feeling of devotee)
   - Pure feeling of peace
   - Devoid of desire, ignorance and emotion.
   - Not externally apparent/visible
   - It’s the devotional attitude of the Jnana Yogi.
2. Dasya Bhava (feeling of devotee)
   - Devotee regards self as the servant of God.
3. Sakhya Bhava (feeling of devotee)
   - God is regarded as a spiritual friend, to whom one can turn for advice.
4. Vatsalya Bhava (feeling of devotee)
   - Relationship is that of parent and child, with God being viewed as the Divine Child.
5. Mathurya Bhava (feeling of devotee)
   - The feeling of the lover toward the beloved.
   - Symbolized by the union of Siva and Sakti in the sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head.
   - Highest type of devotional feeling.

PDF

1. Shanta bhava is a pure feeling of peace devoid
   of desire, ignorance and emotion. Its presence is
   not externally apparent. This is the devotional
   attitude of the Jnana Yogi.
2. Dasya bhava. In dasya bhava the devotee
   regards himself as the servant of God.
3. Sakhya – In sakhya bhava God is regarded as
   a spiritual friend, to whom one can turn for advice.
4. Vatsalya – In vatsalya bhava the relationship is
   that of parent and child, with God being viewed as
   the Divine Child.
5. Mathurya bhava is the feeling of the lover
   toward the beloved. It is symbolized by the union
   of Siva and Sakti in the sahasrara chakra at the
   crown of the head. This is the highest type of
   devotional feeling.

Question 5

Recite the nine forms of worship in this Bhakti Yoga Practice:

Answer 5

9 Forms of worship/Bhakti Yoga Practice:

1. Sravanam – Listening to stories of God’s lila,
   or play.
2. Kirtanam – Singing God’s glories.
3. Smaranam – Unceasing remembrance of His name and presence.
4. Padasevanam – Service at the Lord’s feet. The world is seen here as God’s feet.
5. Archanam – Worship of God through such rituals as Puja, thus breaking the ego.
6. Vandanam – Prostration to the Lord with full awareness of His presence in all names and
   forms.
7. Dasyam – Cultivation of the feeling of being a servant of God.
8. Sakhyam – Cultivation of the feeling of friendship towards the Lord.
9. Atmanivedanam – Complete surrender of the self. This is the equivalent of asamprajnata samadhi (in Raja Yoga), the non-dual state.