basics of bhakti yoga

Bhakti Yoga CourseIntroduction

Bhakti Yoga Course

Basic

Basic Knowledge

There are 64 Bhakti Yoga practices given in NoD. These 5 are considered the most important.

1. Reading scripture regularly2. Keep the company of mature devotees3. Sankirtan4. Worship the deity5. Reside in a holy place like

Vrndavan/Mathura

Who is Krsna?

Basic Knowledge Who is Krsna?

Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead

Bhagavan – Possesses all 6 opulences1. Beauty2. Fame3. Renunciation4. Wealth5. Power6. Knowledge


The Narayana Upanisad, of the Atharva Veda, states that Krsna, the son of Devaki, is the Adi-purusa.

• If the Vedas had a hierarchical structure the Upanisads would be considered “the crown jewel of the Vedas”.


There are 64 spiritual character traits. 50 of these traits can be found in

limited measure in the devotees of the Lord and even in Demigods

Another 10 of these traits can be found in the Lord’s personal expansions, (Visnu Tattva)

The final 4 character traits can only be found in Krsna Himself.


4 Character traits unique to Krsna.

1. Lila-madurya - Wonderful pastimes (in all rasas)

2. Prema-madurya - Loving devotees (of all rasas)

3. Venu-madurya - Wonderful flute playing4. Rupa-madurya - Unparalleled beauty

Who is Radha?

Basic Knowledge Who is Radha?

Hinduism is the only major religion that recognizes the feminine divinity.

Radha is the female counterpart of Krsna. Even though we say “Krsna Prema” it is impossible “to get” Krsna without Radha.

You cannot love and serve one without the other.

Basic Knowledge Who is Srila Prabhupada?

Srila Prabhupada came to the US in 1965 and founded ISKCON.

He is a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati

He is the author of more English language books on Bhakti Yoga than any other person in the world.

Basic Knowledge What is the goal of life?

“Jivera svarupa haya / Krsnera nitya dasa”

Freedom from the 4 basic miseries:

1. Birth2. Old age3. Disease4. Death


The material body is the source of suffering

Karma is the cause of our material body If we eliminate Karma we can exist in

our spiritual body in a spiritual realm devoid of material miseries.


Krsna is the only person with the ability to eradicate both our Karma and our material inclination to produce Karma.


By advancing in Bhakti Yoga from Sraddha to Krsna Prema we can eradicate our karma and our inclination to produce it.


Krsna Prema is to have a genuine and realized loving relationship with Krsna.

By having that genuine relationship Krsna will deliver us from all our karmic reactions. (BG 18.66)

Basic Knowledge There are only 2 outcomes of a

successful spiritual practice.

Aham brahma ‘smi - I exist (Spiritual Realization)

Aham daso ‘smi - I serve (Krsna Prema)

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

Basic Knowledge What is the Bhagavad Gita?

The “Song of God” is spoken by Krsna to Arjuna circa 3000 BCE.

It is part of the Mahabharata , a Purana.

Puranas are “to be considered the fifth Veda”

Chandogya Up. (one of the oldest Upanisads)


The Gita covers 5 topics:

1. Isvara - The Supreme Controller2. Jiva - The living entities3. Prakriti - Material Nature4. Kala - Time5. Karma - Activities


The knowledge of the Gita is categorized in 3 ways:

1. Sambandha - Relationship (between the 5 topics)

2. Abhideya - Process3. Prayojana - Goal


A scripture that describes numerous processes for spiritual development and ultimately prescribes the process of Bhakti Yoga. (BG. 18.65)

Basic Knowledge What is Srimad Bhagavatam?

Its technical name is Bhagavat Purana. It is considered an Abhideya or

“process” scripture as it focuses primarily on the practices, processes and practitioners of Bhakti Yoga.

It is spoken by Sukadeva Goswami to King Pariksit.

Lord Caitanya

Basic Knowledge What is Chaitanya Caritamrita?

A devotional and philosophical biography of the Lord Chaitanya written by Krsna das Kaviraja.

Lord Chaitanya is Krsna, He appeared 500 years ago in the role of a devotee in order to experience firsthand the bliss of Bhakti yoga

Basic Knowledge What is the Nectar of Devotion?

Written by Sri Rupa Goswami it is one of the most important texts on Bhakti Yoga.

Its sanskrit name is Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu

(We will study this book in detail in Levels 6 - 8)

Basic Knowledge What is Vaisnavism?

Vaisnavism – Worship of Visnu Shaivism – Worship of Shiva Saktism – Worship of Durga/Kali


There are 4 Vaisnava Sampradayas (disciplines)

1. Sri Sampradaya2. Kumara Sampradaya3. Rudra Sampradaya4. Brahma Sampradaya


ISKCON comes in the Brahma Sampradaya which, since Lord Chaitanya, is more technically known as the:

Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya

Basic Knowledge

Sri Visnu

Sri Kumara Rudra Brahm

a

ISKCON


Bhakti yoga is the process used to develop a relationship with either Lord Visnu or Krsna.

There are 5 kinds of Rasa in Bhakti Yoga

1. Madhurya - Conjugal2. Vatsalya - Parental 3. Sakhya - Fraternal4. Dasya - Reverential5. Santa- Neutral

Basic Knowledge

Krsna

Madurya

Vatsalya

Sakhya

Dasya

Santa


Vaisnavism is considered to be the most sought after process as it is the only spiritual process where, out of love, God allows himself to be subservient to the devotee.

None of the Visnu expansions, Lord Brahma or Lord Shiva or any of the 33 million demigods accept subservient relationships with their devotees.


Visnu is Krsna’s expansion that “manages” the material creation.

The difference between worship of Visnu and Krsna

1. Only with Krsna can the devotee have a “superior” role in the relationship where He, Krsna, is under the control of the devotee.

Basic Knowledge Why Mantra Meditation?

The energy and effects of various types of sound vibration is well documented.

Mantras are a unique collection of sanskrit syllables designed to create a very specific effect.

Mantras coupled, with Sankalpa (intention), are the most powerful method of spiritual development in this age.

Basic Knowledge The Hare Krsna Mantra

There are 4 Vedas:

1. Rg Veda2. Sama Veda3. Atharva Veda4. Yajur Veda


The Yajur Veda, 4th Veda, has two parts (samhitas)

1. Shukla Yajur Veda2. Krsna Yajur Veda


In The Krsna Yajur Veda is the Kali Santarana Upanisad where the Hare Krsna Mantra is given.

Basic Knowledge The Hare Krsna Mantra.

“These sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means of counteracting the evil effects of Kali-yuga. After searching through all the Vedic literature, one cannot find a method of religion for this age so sublime as the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra”.

(Kali-Santarana Upanishad, Krsna Yajur Samhita of the Yajur Veda).

Basic Knowledge

Rg Veda Sama Atharva Yajur

Sukla Yajur

Krsna Yajur

KS Upanisa

d

KrsnaMantra

Basic Knowledge Why the bead bag?

We chant Hare Krsna aloud to purify ourselves, others and the environment.

Initiated Bhakti Yogis cover the beads to prevent negative energies or influences from effecting their chanting

How to Chant

Basic Knowledge How to Chant

Hold the japa mala (chanting beads) between the thumb and middle finger of the right hand.

As you chant the mantra aloud gently roll the beads between your fingers.

Chant the mantra on all 108 beads. Do not skip over the “Krsna” bead,

instead turn the beads around and “go back the way you came.”


Do not take your beads into the bathroom.

Do not sit, walk or sleep on your beads. Do not lend your beads to others. (Rare

exceptions) Do not use your bead bag as a pocket. Do not kick, throw or play soccer with

your beads.


There are 10 offenses we attempt to avoid once we have begun a chanting sadhana.

Refer to Handout.

Basic Knowledge Why neck beads?

Neck beads (Kanti mala) are made of Tulsi Devi, a very dear devotee of Krsna.

Those who wear Kanti mala always have the protection and attention of Krsna.

They are worn 3x around the neck to signify that our body, mind and words are in relation to Krsna.

Basic Knowledge Why “devotional” clothing?

In Vedic spirituality the integrity of the disciplic succession is of extreme importance. This integrity of practice prevents:

1. The proliferation of fraudulent spiritual teachers

2. The abuse and cheating of sincere seekers 3. The proliferation of pseudo “religions” and

harmful cults

Basic Knowledge Why “devotional” clothing?

While our spiritual development is uniquely personal we worship Krsna by following the instructions AND examples of those have attained Krsna Prema.

The pure and realized saints of Bhakti Yoga wore “devotional” clothing during their worship and instructed their disciples to do the same.

Basic Knowledge Why Tilak?

The clay of Tilak comes from a place of pilgrimage, generally Vrndavan or Mathura for Vaisnavas.

It identifies the wearer as a temple of Vishnu

It is applied with a mantra requesting Vishnu to reside with us always.

Basic Knowledge Why Arati?

Arati is an expression of Bhakti The articles of worship represent:

1. Earth – Flower 2. Water – Water/handkerchief 3. Fire – Lamp 4. Air – Peacock fan5. Ether – Yak tail fan6. Mind – Incense

Basic Knowledge Why the conch?

The conch represents Sri Laksmi, the consort of Visnu.

The sound, a representation of Om, is purifying and heralds the “coming” of an exalted person or event.