Bhakti yoga by swami vivekananda biography
BHAKTI
(Delivered at Sialkote, Punjab)
IN RESPONSE TO INVITATIONS from the Punjab and Kashmir, the Swami Vivekananda travelled through those parts. He stayed in Kashmir for over a month and his work there was very much appreciated by the Mahārājā and his brothers. He then spent a few days in visiting Murree, Rawalpindi, and Jammu, and at each of these places he delivered lectures. Subsequently he visited Sialkote and lectured twice, once in English and once in Hindi. The subject of the Swamiji’s Hindi lecture was Bhakti, a summary of which, translated into English, is given below:
The various religions that exist in the world, although they differ in the form of worship they take, are really one. In some places the people build temples and worship in them, in some they worship fire, in others they prostrate themselves before idols, while there are many who do not believe at all in God. All are true, for, if you look to the real spirit, the real religion, and the truths in each of them, they are all alike. In some religions God is not worshipped, nay, His existence is not believed in, but good and worthy men are worshipped as if they were Gods. The example worthy of citation in this case is Buddhism. Bhakti is everywhere, whether directed to God or to noble persons. Upāsanā in the form of Bhakti is everywhere supreme, and Bhakti is more easily attained than Jnāna. The latter requires favourable circumstances and strenuous practice. Yoga cannot be properly practised unless a man is physically very healthy and free from all worldly attachments. But Bhakti can be more easily practised by persons in every condition of life. Shāndilya Rishi, who wrote about Bhakti, says that extreme love for God is Bhakti. Prahlāda speaks to the same effect. If a man does not get food one day, he is troubled; if his son dies, how agonising it is to him! The true Bhakta feels the same pangs in his heart when he yearns after God. The great quality of Bhakti is that it cleanses the
Bhakti Yoga – Swami Vivekananda
Bhakti Yoga
- Definition of Bhakti
- The Philosophy of Ishvara
- Spiritual Realisation, the aim of Bhakti-Yoga
- The Need of Guru
- Qualifications of the Aspirant and the Teacher
- Incarnate Teachers and Incarnation
- The Mantra: Om: Word and Wisdom
- Worship of Substitutes and Images
- The Chosen Ideal
- The Method and the Means
Para-Bhakti or Supreme Devotion
- The Preparatory Renunciation
- The Bhakta’s Renunciation Results from Love
- The Naturalness of Bhakti-Yoga and its Central Secret
- The Forms of Love — Manifestation
- Universal Love and How it Leads to Self Surrender
- The Higher Knowledge and the Higher Love are One to the True Lover
- The Triangle of Love
- The God of Love is His Own Proof
- Human Representations of the Divine Ideal of Love
- Conclusion
Love in its varied aspects is the motive force behind all the actions of living beings. But love takes its highest form when directed towards the God. Among the different paths leading man towards the attainment of the Supreme Truth is the one of love, devotion, and complete surrender. In this book Swami Vivekananda expounds how this path of Bhakti leads man to God. Being an exposition by one of the pioneers in the religious and spiritual realm of the modern times, the value of this work need not be emphasized. Lucid, simple, and to the point, the words of the Swami touch the hearts of the readers and puts them on to the divine path of love supreme.
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Bhakti Yoga: The Yoga of Love and Devotion
The book begins by providing a detailed explanation of the different types of Bhakti Yoga, including the practices of devotion, worship, and selfless service. The author explains how these practices can be used to develop a deep and personal relationship with God, and how this relationship can lead to spiritual growth and enlightenment.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is the way in which the author presents Bhakti Yoga as a universal practice that is accessible to people of all backgrounds and religions. He argues that Bhakti Yoga is not limited to any one particular tradition or culture, and can be practiced by anyone who is willing to open their hearts to the divine. He also emphasizes that Bhakti Yoga is not just a set of practices or rituals, but it’s a way of life that transforms the individual from inside out.
Throughout the book, the author provides many examples and anecdotes that help to illustrate his points, making the book an engaging and easy read. He also draws upon a wide range of sources, including the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, and the writings of other spiritual leaders and thinkers, which lends credibility to his arguments!
One of the most compelling arguments that the author makes is that Bhakti Yoga is a powerful way to achieve spiritual growth and enlightenment. He argues that by developing a deep and personal relationship with God through devotion and love, we can transcend the limitations of our ego and become one with the divine. He also emphasizes the importance of selfless service, which is a fundamental aspect of Bhakti Yoga,
Bhakti Yoga
The book begins by providing a detailed explanation of the different types of Bhakti Yoga, including the practices of devotion, worship, and selfless service. The author explains how these practices can be used to develop a deep and personal relationship with God, and how this relationship can lead to spiritual growth and enlightenment.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is the way in which the author presents Bhakti Yoga as a universal practice that is accessible to people of all backgrounds and religions. He argues that Bhakti Yoga is not limited to any one particular tradition or culture, and can be practiced by anyone who is willing to open their hearts to the divine. He also emphasizes that Bhakti Yoga is not just a set of practices or rituals, but it’s a way of life that transforms the individual from inside out.
Throughout the book, the author provides many examples and anecdotes that help to illustrate his points, making the book an engaging and easy read. He also draws upon a wide range of sources, including the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, and the writings of other spiritual leaders and thinkers, which lends credibility to his arguments!
One of the most compelling arguments that the author makes is that Bhakti Yoga is a powerful way to achieve spiritual growth and enlightenment. He argues that by developing a deep and personal relationship with God through devotion and love, we can transcend the limitations of our ego and become one with the divine. He also emphasizes the importance of selfless service, which is a fundamental aspect of Bhakti Yoga, as it helps to cultivate humil