SELF-KNOWLEDGE - 5. BHAKTI DEVOTION YOGA - Sri Swami Sivananda

Sri Swami Sivananda - Self-Knowledge - Chapter 5: Bhakti Devotion Yoga - With Complete Translation of all Sanskrit Words.

Bhakti Yoga In Chapter 5 of Self-Knowledge, Sri Swami Sivananda delves deeply into the path of Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion. This chapter illuminates the transformative power of love and devotion as a means to attain union with the Divine. Bhakti Yoga is presented as a practical and universal approach to spiritual growth, accessible to all individuals regardless of their temperament or background. Through a series of sub-chapters, Sivananda explores the nature of Bhakti, its various forms, and the qualities of a true devotee. Below is a description of each sub-chapter and its key teachings: 

What Is Bhakti?
In this section, Swami Sivananda defines Bhakti as intense love for God, a love that transcends all worldly attachments and desires. Bhakti is not mere emotionalism but a profound, all-consuming devotion that directs the soul toward its ultimate purpose—union with the Divine. Sivananda emphasizes that Bhakti is the easiest and most natural path for many because it channels human emotions, particularly love, toward a higher and nobler goal. He describes Bhakti as both the means and the end, where devotion itself becomes the experience of the Divine. Bhakti requires surrender, humility, and the cultivation of faith and trust in God. 

Different Kinds of Bhakti
Here, Sivananda categorizes Bhakti into two main types:

1. Apara Bhakti (Lower Bhakti): This is the initial stage of devotion, where love for God is often motivated by personal desires, fear, or a sense of duty. Devotees engage in rituals, prayers, and worship with the hope of gaining material or spiritual benefits.
2. Para Bhakti (Higher Bhakti): This advanced form of devotion is marked by selfless and unconditional love for God. The devotee seeks nothing but the joy of communion with the Divine. In Para Bhakti, there is complete surrender to God's will, and the distinction between the devotee and the Divine disappears.

Swami Sivananda explains that while Apara Bhakti serves as a stepping stone, true spiritual progress begins with the transition to Para Bhakti.

Bhava In Bhakti
This sub-chapter explores the different emotional attitudes, or Bhavas, that a devotee can adopt in their relationship with God. Sivananda outlines five principal Bhavas:

1. Shanta Bhava (Peaceful Attitude): A calm and serene devotion characterized by awe and reverence for God.
2. Dasya Bhava (Servitude): Viewing oneself as a servant of God, exemplified by figures like Hanuman.
3. Sakhya Bhava (Friendship): Establishing a friendly and intimate relationship with God, as seen in Arjuna's relationship with Krishna.
4. Vatsalya Bhava (Parental Love): Loving God as one would love a child, as demonstrated by Yashoda's love for baby Krishna.
5. Madhurya Bhava (Lover's Attitude): The highest form of Bhakti, where the devotee loves God as their beloved, exemplified by the Gopis' love for Krishna.

Sivananda explains that these Bhavas cater to different temperaments and allow devotees to express their love for God in a manner that resonates deeply with their nature.

Para Bhakti
In this section, Swami Sivananda elaborates on the nature of Para Bhakti, the ultimate stage of devotion. Para Bhakti is not merely emotional fervor but a profound state of spiritual realization. It arises when the devotee's heart is completely purified, and all desires and egoistic tendencies have been transcended. Para Bhakti is marked by an intense yearning for God and a complete surrender to His will. The devotee experiences constant union with the Divine and perceives God's presence everywhere. Sivananda describes this state as one of supreme bliss, where the devotee's identity merges with God, leading to liberation (Moksha). 

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