Bhakti Yoga

Janmashtami: Embracing Lord Krishna’s Story of Love, Joy, and Transformation
The following excerpts from a book on Bhagvata introduced me to the world of Lord Krishna. It introduced me to the boundless love and wisdom of Lord Krishna. Whether you’re a devout follower or just curious, this journey is one you cannot miss. – Terrified, the child refused to leave the womb, resisting all attempts…
August 26, 2024
Bhakti Yoga 10: The Method and The Means
This is the tenth and the last chapter in the series of Bhakti Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. In regard to the method and the means of Bhakti-Yoga we read in the commentary of Bhagvan Ramanuja on the Vedanta-Sutras: “The attaining of That comes through discrimination, controlling the passions, practice, sacrificial work, purity, strength, and suppression…
November 1, 2021
Bhakti Yoga 9: The Chosen Ideal
This is the ninth chapter in the series on Bhakti Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. The next thing to be considered is what we know as Ishta-Nishtha. One who aspires to be a Bhakta (Devotee) must know that “so many opinions are so many ways”. He must know that all the various sects of the various…
October 31, 2021
Bhakti Yoga 8: The Worship of Substitutes and Images
This is the eighth chapter of the Bhakti Yoga series by Swami Vivekananda. The next points to be considered are the worship of Pratikas or of things more or less satisfactory as substitutes for God, and the worship of Pratimas or images. What is the worshp of God through a Pratika? It is – Joining…
October 31, 2021
Bhakti Yoga 7: The Mantra – OM
This is the seventh chapter in the series on Bhakti Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. But we are now considering not these Maha-Purushas, the great incarnations, but only the Siddha-Gurus (teachers who have attained the goal); they, as a rule, have to convey the germs of spiritual wisdom to the dsiciple by means of words (Mantras)…
October 31, 2021
Bhakti Yoga 6: Incarnate Teachers and Incarnation
This is the sixth chapter in the series on Bhakti Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. Wherever His name is spoken, that very place is holy. How much more so is the man who speaks His name, and with what veneration ought we to approach that man out of whon comes to us spiritual truth! Such great…
October 31, 2021
Bhakti Yoga 5: Qualifications of the Aspirant and The Teacher
This is the fifth chapter in the series of Bhakti Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. How are we to know a teacher, then? The sun requires no torch to make him visible, we need not light a candle in order to see him. When the sun rises, we instinctively become aware of the fact, and when…
October 31, 2021
Bhakti Yoga 4: The Need Of A Guru
This is the fourth chapter in the series on Bhakti Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. Every soul is destined to be perfect, and every being, in the end, will attain the state of perfection. Whatever we are now is the result of our acts and thoughts in the past; and whatever we shall be in the…
October 31, 2021
Bhakti Yoga 3: Spiritual Realization, The Aim of Bhakti-Yoga
This is the 3rd chapter on the Bhakti Yoga series by Swami Vivekananda. To the Bhakta (devotee) these dry details are necessary only to strengthen his will; beyond that they are of no use to him. For he is treading on a path which is fitted very soon to lead him beyond the hazy turbulent…
October 31, 2021
What is Bhakti Yoga?
An often asked question among many Yoga enthusiasts and practitioners is – What is Bhakti Yoga? In this post, we’ll understand what is Bhakti Yoga in simple bulleted points taking references from the 1st chapter of the Bhakti Yoga by Swami Vivekananda Bhakti Yoga – Definition Bhakti-Yoga is a real, genuine search after the Lord,…
October 31, 2021
Bhakti Yoga 2: Philosophy of Ishvara – Swami Vivekananda
This is the 2nd chapter of the series on Bhakti Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. Bhakti Yoga is one of the key literary works by Swami Vivekananda, where he has discussed the path of devotion (bhakti) in detail. Who is Ishvara (god)? Janmadyasya yatah — “From whom is the birth, continuation, and dissolution of the universe,” — He is…
July 26, 2021
Bhakti Yoga 1: Prayer – Swami Vivekananda
This is the 1st chapter of the series on Bhakti Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. Bhakti Yoga is one of the key literary works by Swami Vivekananda, where he has discussed the path of devotion (bhakti) in detail “He is the Soul of the Universe; He is Immortal; His is the Rulership; He is the All-knowing,…
July 25, 2021