Supremacy of Bhakti-yoga Devotional Service to God
Bhakti-yoga, or devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the topmost transcendental activity and the ultimate goal of all spiritual practices. While there are various paths of self-realization, they are all dependent on devotional service for their perfection, serving as stepping stones to the final destination of loving surrender to the Lord. This article explores the unique position of bhakti-yoga as the direct, scientific, and most practical means to attain the Absolute Truth.
Ultimate Goal of All Yogas
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the various systems of yoga are actually progressive steps on a single ladder of spiritual evolution. While one may begin with work or knowledge, the perfection of all such endeavors is achieved only when one reaches the platform of pure devotion to the Supreme Lord.
- Bhakti-yoga is at the top of the stairs of all the yogas. The first step is karma-yoga, and then jnana-yoga and dhyana-yoga, but the ultimate is bhakti-yoga.
- Actually, yoga means meditation on the form of Lord Visnu. If the yoga practice is actually performed according to the standard direction, there is no difference between yoga and bhakti-yoga.
- Bhakti-yoga is the ultimate goal of both karma-yoga and jnana-yoga, and in the same way in this chapter it is emphatically declared that bhakti-yoga is the ultimate goal of the different varieties of worship of the different demigods.
- The culmination of all yogas lies in bhakti-yoga, the rendering of devotional service unto Krsna. Actually, all of the yogas delineated in Bhagavad-gita end on this note, for Krsna is the ultimate destination of all the yoga systems.
Exclusive Path to Know Kṛṣṇa
While empirical philosophers and mystic yogis may attain partial realization of the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead remains a mystery to them. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that only through the process of bhakti-yoga can the Lord be understood in truth and His spiritual kingdom attained.
- If you want to know Krsna, it is not possible to any other means. There are many other means - karma, yoga, jnana and bhakti - but if you want to know Krsna, then you have to take the bhakti-yoga, no other.
- Bhakti-yoga is the only process by which one can become competent to know Him (Krsna). The empiric philosophers & mystic yogis cannot conceive of the Personality of Godhead, He is called anupalaksya-vartmane, God of the inconceivable way, or bhakti-yoga.
- Bhakti-yoga is the ultimate goal, but to analyze bhakti-yoga minutely one has to understand these other yogas. The yogi who is progressive is therefore on the true path of eternal good fortune.
Automatic Knowledge and Detachment
The practice of devotional service is so potent that it automatically grants the practitioner the results of other yoga systems. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that one need not separately endeavor for knowledge or detachment, as these are natural byproducts of engaging the senses in the service of the Lord.
- Yogis are not without knowledge and renunciation. To become a bhakti-yogi means to automatically attain knowledge and renunciation. That is the consequent result of bhakti-yoga.
- Bhakti-yoga includes jnana-yoga, or, in other words, the process of pure devotional service simultaneously serves the purpose of jnana-yoga; liberation from material conditions is automatically achieved by gradual development of pure devotional service.
- Bhakti-yoga leads to gradual evaporation of the sex desire, which is summarized in three headings, namely profit, adoration and distinction.
- If you have actually tasted bhakti-yoga, then there will be no more material attachment. This is the test. Not that artificially keeping a big tilaka on forehead and thinking within always "How to get money, how to get woman?"
Practicality for the Modern Age
In the current age, difficult austerities and complex meditation are not feasible for the general mass of people. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that bhakti-yoga is the most practical and effective method for self-realization, accessible even to children and those without prior qualifications.
- Bhakti-yoga. It is not at all difficult. You haven't got to strain your body as in other hatha-yoga practice you have to very undergo hardship, to sit in a particular posture, in a particular place. These things are stated in the Bhagavad-gita.
- By the process of bhakti-yoga, even a child less than five years old, or anyone of any age, can be purified. That is the special significance of bhakti-yoga.
- Now this Kali-yuga, by bhakti-yoga, especially by chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one can be fully reformed and come to spiritual platform, and that is success of life.
Ninefold Process
The science of bhakti-yoga is executed through specific processes that engage the senses in the service of the Absolute Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines these nine distinct methods, which begin with hearing and chanting, as the comprehensive path to perfection.
- In the bhakti-yoga system there are nine different processes: hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping the Deity in the temple, praying, carrying out orders, serving Krsna as friend and sacrificing for Him.
- Of the nine different items of bhakti-yoga, the first and foremost is to chant and hear about the Lord.
- A pure devotee is always transcendentally situated because of executing nine different processes of bhakti-yoga - sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam/ arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam - SB 7.5.23.
Conclusion
The teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda conclusively establish that bhakti-yoga is the supreme process of self-realization. While other paths may offer gradual elevation, they ultimately culminate in the platform of devotional service. By taking directly to the ninefold process of devotion—especially hearing and chanting—one automatically attains all the benefits of knowledge and detachment, purifies the heart, and achieves the highest goal of life: direct, loving relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is the most practical, scientific, and sublime path for all humanity.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Bhakti-yoga - Devotional Service to God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.