What is Bhakti?
Bhakti is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘bhaj’, which means loving service to God. Bhakti-yoga means to connect to the Supreme Lord by means of loving devotional service. The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of the individual consciousness with that of the Divine Consciousness.
If one wants to connect an individual soul with God, there must be something added to bond them. What is that? It is love and affection. When a soul connects with God, this is pure yoga – Bhakti-yoga. The process of Bhakti-yoga is so sublime. It allows everyone in any condition of life to make advancement towards the goal of life, pure love of God.
The main practices of Bhakti-yoga consist of hearing, chanting (singing, praying) and remembering the Supreme Lord, especially in His most charming form as Sri Krishna.
Why practice Bhakti Yoga?
Sambandha
Gain knowledge of our eternal
relationship with God
Abhidheya
Perform devotional activity according to that relationship
Prayojana
Achieve life’s ultimate goal – pure love of God
Garland of Nine Gems
Navaratnamalika
The means by which perfection can be attained
Sravana – listening
Kirtan – singing
Smarana – remembering
Padasevana – service to lotus feet of the Lord
Lord Archana – ritual worship
Vandana – offering prayers to the Lord
Dasya – serving the will of the Lord
Sakhya – cultivating friendship with the Divine
Atma-nivedana – surrender of the self to the Lord
Mantra Meditation
The Hare Krishna mantra, also referred to as the Mahamantra, is a 16-word Vaishnava mantra which is mentioned in the Kali-Santarana Upanishad and which from the 15th century rose to importance in the Bhakti movement following the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Since the 1960s, the mantra has been made well known outside India by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The word Hare is the form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krishna and Rama are forms of addressing the Lord Himself. Both Krishna and Rama mean the Supreme Pleasure, and Hara is the Supreme Pleasure Energy of the Lord. The Supreme Pleasure Energy of the Lord helps us to reach the Lord.
These three words, namely Hara, Krishna and Rama, are the transcendental seeds of the Mahamantra. The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul. This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother’s presence.
The Mahamantra is the transcendental process for reviving our original pure consciousness. By chanting this transcendental vibration, we cleanse away all misgivings within our hearts. The basic principle of all such misgivings is the false consciousness that I am the lord of all I survey. This simplest method of meditation is recommended for this age. Chanting this mantra will continously awaken causeless bhakti in your heart.
Chant & be happy!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare