What is Bhakti?
Bhakti is a Sanskrit word which is derived from the word bhaj which means “go to onself to” or “have recourse to” or ” to pray” or we can say “to worship“. This word so many different meanings. It means “attachment, fondness, love, faith, devotion, religious, piety to somethings as spiritual, salvation and many more”
Bhakti in literal words means, “surrender, devotion, faithfulness, loyalty and attachment“. In simple words it means one who spiritually or physically offers himself for the worship of God.
The word bhakti, in the Vedic Sanskrit texts, 
has the common meaning of “adherence, devotion, love, devotion” as in human relationships, usually between lover, friend-friend, king, parent and child. . It may refer to the devotion of a spiritual teacher (Guru) as guru-bhakti, or to a personal God, or to a spiritual form (nirguna).
According to Sri Lankan Buddhist scholar Sanath Nanayakkara, not a single word in English translates enough or represents the concept of bhakti in Indian religions. Words such as “devotion, faith, devotion” represent certain aspects of bhakti, but mean much more. The concept encompasses a feeling of deep affection, attachment, but not desire because “desire is selfish, love is not selfish”. Some scholars, say Nanayakkara, associate it with sadha which means “faith, trust or confidence”. However, bhakti can mean the end itself, or the path to spiritual wisdom.
The word Bhakti means one of the few spiritual paths to moksha (spiritual freedom, liberty, salvation) in Hinduism, and it is referred to as bhakti marga or bhakti yoga. Other ways are Jnana marga (way of knowledge), Karma marga (way of activities), Raja marga (way of thinking and meditation).
The word bhakti is often translated as “devotion” in Oriental literature. Many scholars at that time were skeptical of the word, and most now pursue the word bhakti as one of the many spiritual concepts that arose in the Vedic context and Hindu way of life. Bhakti in Indian religions is not a traditional devotion to God or religion, but a participation in a way that combines morality, ethics, supremacy and spirituality. It involves, among other things, refining a person’s mental state, knowing God, sharing in God. , and praising God. Increasingly, instead of the word “dedication”, the word “participation” appears in scholarly books as a glossary of the word bhakti.
True Bhakti
Spiritually, bhakti is one of the highest forms of human speech that is not easily accessible. The true bhakti comes from a person who is full of sattva purity, free from worldly desires and whose only goal is liberation. A person who is devoted to God and faithful does not want anything, except God’s attention or being one with Him. He may make or appear to be crazy.
In spiritual terms bhakti means deep spiritual love and devotion to God. In true devotion, a person attains a high degree of degeneration and out-of-mind experiences, suffers from frequent mood swings, loses consciousness or falls into the depths of the heart. True devotion often manifests itself as a form of divine madness and total indifference to the affairs of the world.
Thus, bhakti is not just a feeling of devotion or work. It is much deeper than that. It is a great longing for the soul caught up in the events of birth and death to be freed from the wonderful life in which you are confined. It is seen in human nature as a powerful emotion that belongs to both worlds and not to this world. It arises from the mind which is reinforced by one direct wisdom and purified in the fire of good and divine qualities.
The Bhagavadgita identifies four types of devotees. a depressed person (arta), a researcher (Jignasu), a treasure hunter (artharhti) and a wise man (Shalok 7.16). To them, says Lord Krishna, a wise man, founded on a common sense and constant devotion, is very dear to Him (Shalok 7:17). Therefore, a lack of desire, a stable mind, and a pure mind are essential for gaining a deep commitment.
Bhakti as liberation
Hinduism suggests many forms of freedom. As the Bhagavadgita points out, the paths to God are many and all paths ultimately lead only to the Supreme Being. However, some methods are difficult to follow. Some paths lead to other gods and to lesser gods. Other pathways can also lead to a person falling. However, the concept of consensus is all the means that lead to commitment and commitment leads to freedom. This is so because freedom means unity and solidarity and no one can achieve or be one with Brahman unless one fully agrees and agrees with Him. True union only arises when humanity and all ideas of separation are lost in consciousness. So any encounter with God, whatever it is, is possible only through devotion, faith, understanding, peace, unconditional love, acceptance and devotion.
Devotion
Since the human mind is at risk of transformation and suffering, the devotion of the people of the world is limited by purity, power, and power. In many respects it is a bad reflection of the real bhakti. It is a devotion that springs from error and ignorance, rather than from knowledge and wisdom. From a religious point of view, it is better to have worldly devotion than to have no faith or devotion at all. We may view it as part of a developing and developing process, the first phase of an inner awakening, one has to go through in the end to gain true devotion.
Worldly devotion is limited in its subject matter, bound by two desires, thrives on emotions, such as fear and greed, pursues three qualities and suffers the weight of what is expected. Like most human emotions, it is hidden in many aspects of self-love only when self-esteem plays a key role. Many of the Asuras in the Purana were great devotees of King Siva. Their self-sacrificing devotion especially came to haughtiness, a desire for prominence and prestige when their ambitions were thwarted. True devotion is a sacrifice. The devotion of the world is selfish. This is a big difference.
Nine Limbs of Bhakti
In Shrimad Bhagwat Puran, Prahlada tells Hiranyakashipu(his father) about the nine forms of bhakti which he learnt from his teacher. These nine forms are shravana, kirtana, smarana, pada-sevana, archana, vandana, dasya, sakhya and atma-nivedana.
1. Shravanam literally means obedience. Shravanam is about obeying the lilas of God which is an important step in the spiritual journey. Shravanam also includes obedience to God’s attributes, glories, stories, plays connected with His Holy Name. The Scriptures conceal the truth of the universe in various ways, and listening to it will guide each one to the light. In the Bhagavad Gita Sri Krushna advises Arjuna, and focuses on him his true work in relation to the Almighty. While touching on this aspect of Shravanam devotion, the words quoted by Sri Chinmayananda are significant.
“The atmosphere is universal and not chaotic. There is a psychological connection, the law of science, the rhythm of the intellectual relationship in which the whole living world is held together, in one web of love. To take a difference in the world is to believe in this great unity in life ”. Adhering to the meaning of Shravanam in our daily lives will put us on the path of devotion.
The spirit of a devoted person who listens to God’s laments and reminds them of even the most basic of daily activities is growing empty. Bhakta will think only of the divine. The mind of such a person grows empty, and he loses interest in the material things he once enjoyed. His mind is full of jewelry, and he longs to be with the king. All such power is directed toward God. Listening to stories that teach devotion and perfect faith will make the devotee more familiar with the Almighty. There is a feeling of complete devotion to the Lord, and all his thoughts flow towards God.
2. Kirtan is a Sanskrit word meaning “to narrate, to recite, to recite, to describe” a point or story, especially in Indian religions. It also refers to the art of religious practice, which includes the form of narrative or repetitive music, especially spiritual or religious ideas, which originated in the Indian subcontinent.
Derived from the Vedic anukirtana tradition, kirtan is a style of call and response style, set in music, in which many artists repeat or explain a myth, or express a loving devotion to a god, or discuss spiritual ideas. It may involve dancing or direct exposure to bhavas (emotionally charged situations) by the artist. Many kirtan games are designed to engage the audience while repeating a song, or answering an artist’s call.
3. Smaranam is one of the nine types of bhakti, in which the devotee always remembers the name and status of the Lord. Smaranam also involves recalling stories, teaching and talking to others about the glory of the Lord, meditating on aspects of God, and so on. Japa is another way of remembering the Lord. Few people keep the small mala they use especially during the Japa era. Remembering the Lord continually renews the devotees and draws him closer to God. The bhakta is therefore equipped to face any or all obstacles that he may encounter along the way to Sadhana.
Smaranam can be made at any time without restrictions on time and place. The requirement to practice Smaranam is to concentrate or concentrate on the Lord or Myself. Only in Smaranam, the sensory organs that constantly follow external objects can be turned to God or inside. Smaranam is a difficult form of Bhakti as it requires mindfulness, (which is constantly changing) to focus on the Lord at all times. Smaranam swims against the Maya wave. Maya misleads. Mind control is the key to Smaranam Sadhana.
4. Padasevana worships the feet of the Lord. In fact this can only be done in Lakshmi or Parvati. No mortal is fortunate enough to do this Bhakti method because the Lord is invisible to human eyes. But it is possible to worship the image of God in idols and even better, to take all mankind as God. This is the location of Padasevana. Padasevana is a patient service. Padasevana is a service to the poor. Padasevana is a universal service. The whole universe is only Virat-Svarupa. Earthly service is the Lord’s service.
The service of the Lord’s feet can be performed by worshiping Curtis or idols in temples or in the image of God.
To look at the Lord’s holy feet repeatedly with eyes of devotion and desire, to worship and serve them, to smell the holy water with which the Lord’s feet were washed, to worship the Lord’s wooden sandals, to meditate on them and to pray over them. , taking dust from the feet of the Lord and anointing it on the forehead, washing the heart with the dust of the feet of the Lord, concerning the holy places and the places of visitation, and the places where God took the form of a man for the benefit of mankind, as they flow directly to the feet of the Lord, worshiping, washing and drinking such holy water of the Ganga all these are different ways of worshiping the feet of the Lord. This kind of devotion destroys all worldliness and allows the mind to think only of God.
5. Archana Bhakti is one type of Bhakti. The Archana is to provide beautiful, fragrant flowers for worship. God is pleased with everything we give him out of love.
Lord Krishna says ~ “leaves, flowers, water, fruit, whatever my servant gives me with deep love and devotion, I am grateful for him and come to receive you. No matter how great the offering, I only see devotion.” Rukmini gave only one leaf of Tulsi (Basil ) against all the wealth of satyabhama to measure the weight of Lord Krishna. King Vishnu presented lotus flowers to Shiva to please him, as he prayed and sang his name. She used to give Shiva a thousand lotus flowers every day when finally Shiva asked her for a blessing.
Flowers are, in fact, an important contribution made to the gods. Flowers are used during pooja at home, in temples, and in shrines. Rarely do we see pooja in a flowerless Hindu religion. The temple and home are decorated with ornaments of flowers and leaves. Flowers are also placed at the feet of the gods and the image is also covered with flowers.
6. Vandana is prayer and kneeling. Humble bowing that touches the earth with eight limbs (Sashtanga-Namaskara), with faith and reverence, before the image of God, or bowing down to all creatures who know that they are of the same God, and they enter within. The Sacred Love of the Lord is called worshiping God. Bhagavata says: The sky, the wind, the fire, the water, the earth, the stars, the planets, the great points (directions), the trees, the rivers, the seas and all living things form the body of Sri Hari. The devotee must bow before everything with complete devotion, thinking that he is bowing before God Himself. Lord Krishna says in Uddhava: To ignore those who mock, forget the body and mind the shame, one should bow down and worship all creatures, even the dog, the donkey, the Chandala and the cow. Everything is Mine, and nothing but Me.
Arjuna bows to Krishna in the most beautiful way: Greetings to you in front, Greetings to You from behind, Greetings to You from all sides! O All! He has unlimited power, He is all-powerful. You are everything!
The purpose or intent of devotion is to see God in perfect love. The Mahabharata says: There is nothing more beautiful than Bhagavan Vasudeva, nothing more pure than Vasudeva, and no Deva, worthy of worship more than Vasudeva. He who gives his greetings to Vasudeva does not suffer.
7. Dasya is a Sanskrit word meaning “service” or “slavery.” In the philosophy of yoga and Hindu philosophy, dasya refers to the type of devotion (dasya bhakti) and attitude (dasya bhava).
Dasya bhakti is love and devotion to God through slavery. Everything a dedicated person does to serve his superior master. Dasya bhava a state of slavery that allows a devotee to dedicate his life to divine service: God is king and servant.
With dasya bhakti, a devotee can clean the sanctuary, care for the poor, meditate on the scriptures or perform any other function as a servant and servant of God.
8. Sakhya-Bhava is to cultivate a feeling of friendship with God. Prisoners of the Nandagopa family farmed this Bhakti. Arjuna has planted this type of Bucket. Bhagavata says: Oh, how wonderful is the fortune of the people of Vraja shepherd Inanda their beloved Brahman perfect, eternal Absolute Bliss!
To have the Lord always, to treat him as your dear relative or friend of his family, to be with him at all times, to love Him as yourself, is Sakhya-Bhava of Bhakti-Marga. The devoted Sakhya-Bhava is eager to do any work for the Lord leaving aside even the most important and urgent and stressful work, taking a negligent attitude, and being completely personal to him and the love of the Lord. Friends, how do true friends love this world? How much love do they have for each other? Such love is developed in God rather than in man. The love of the flesh is replaced by the love of the spirit. There is a common conversion to Eternity.
Vibhishana, Sugriva, Uddhava, Arjuna, Sudama, Sridama and the players of the King in Vraja are examples of devotees who developed a sense of Bhakti friendship.
9. Atma-Nivedana is committed. Vishnu-Sahasranama is said to be: The heart of a person who is safe in Vasudeva, devoted entirely to Vasudeva, is completely purified, and receives Brahman, the Eternal.
A devoted person gives his all to God, including his body, mind, and soul. He does not keep account of the injury. He even loses his own. He has no personal life and independence. He is devoted to God. You have been a part and parcel of God. God cares for him and God treats him like himself. Sorrow and sorrow, joy and sorrow, the devoted man treats as a gift sent by God and does not cling to them. He sees himself as God’s puppet and as an instrument in God’s hand. He does not feel proud, because he is not selfish. His meekness was beyond God. It is not his job to take care of his wife, children, etc., because he himself has no independent life without God. God will take care of everything. He is able to lead the world in the right direction. One should not think that he was born to lead the world. There is a God who will look at everything that man can never dream of. He does not have physical strength, because he has no body dedicated to God. He does not like it and does not like his body, because it is God’s work to see it.
A popular Hindu worship involves the worship of numerous gods and goddesses. When visiting a Hindu temple, it is customary to worship all the gods included there. Throughout the year, Hindus celebrate numerous festivals and worship many gods. In the Bhagavadgita Lord Krishna clearly states that those who worship the lesser gods go to him while those who worship him (Brahman. Isvara or Supreme Self) will go to him alone. Therefore, the proper practice is to worship only the Most High God, in whatever form a person chooses to have a view of Him and to adhere to that. This will help the worshiper to focus on that god and gradually build a relationship with God and progress along the way.
If freedom is the goal this is the right practice. The mind must always be focused on one thought, one image and one god. If a person persists in this practice, one day the image will come to life and will lead the worshiper on the path to freedom. Then that Godhead will take care of all the needs and wants of His guide and deliver him from the cycle of birth and death. If one wants to gain freedom in this life, this is the best practice.
However, if a person is not determined for salvation in the present life, but wants to prepare for that in a future life, without sacrificing his worldly goals, then one may engage in rituals and practices and worship any number of gods who seek blessings and favor. Such actions will not lead to freedom, but to the other three purposes of human life, namely dharma, artha and kama.
