Bhakti Yoga: The Crown Jewel

(written May 4, 2019)

(References: BG 6.46-47, BG 8.28, and SB 1.2.7)

There are many types of yoga, however the underlying definition of true yoga is linking our consciousness with the Supreme Absolute Truth, as Srila Prabhupada explained. There are many different types of yoga which might be able to help you reach the Supreme Absolute Truth, however, Bhakti yoga is direct connection with Krishna, which is the underlying reason of why Bhakti is superior to any other type of yoga.

In BG 6.46, Krishna states that one who is a yogi is greater than all others. Then, in BG 6.47, Krishna states that of the yogis, one who performs loving devotional service is certainly the highest of all. In this verse Krishna is referring to the Bhaktas, those who perform devotional service. Srila Prabhupada explains that... “One can avoid worshipping a respectable man or a demigod and may be called discourteous, but one cannot avoid serving the Supreme Lord without being thoroughly condemned.” This is why Karma yogis and Jnana yogis are mostly unsuccessful. Karma yogis may become derailed through their fruitive activities and Jnana yogis may become corrupted through false teachings, however, Bhakti yogis are forever bound to Krishna through their love.

In actuality, all kinds of yoga practices are some kind of form to bring them towards Bhakti yoga. So it is not said that one shouldn’t perform other kinds of yoga, however Bhakti yoga is the destination towards the end, which means that Karma yogis and Jnana yogis have long path before they reach the ultimate Bhakti yoga. Additionally the main problem of all these different kinds of yogis is that, due to partial knowledge they get stuck in one of these realms. As Srila Prabhupada says in the purport of BG 6.47, “Factually, bhakti-yoga is the ultimate goal, but to analyze bhakti-yoga minutely one has to understand these other yogas. The yogī who is progressive is therefore on the true path of eternal good fortune. One who sticks to a particular point and does not make further progress is called by that particular name: karma-yogī, jñāna-yogī or dhyāna-yogī, rāja-yogī, haṭha-yogī, etc. If one is fortunate enough to come to the point of bhakti-yoga, it is to be understood that he has surpassed all other yogas. Therefore, to become Kṛṣṇa conscious is the highest stage of yoga.”

Hence Bhakti yoga is the ultimate yoga, and the two biggest benefits are as follows. Knowledge and detachment. As one increases their transcendental devotional service, knowledge and detachment immediately follow. People become detached from the material world and intensify their service. Also, as Srila Prabhupada says in the purport of SB 1.2.7, “The bhakti cult is meant for realization of the positive form. When the positive form is realized, the negative forms are automatically eliminated. Therefore, with the development of the bhakti cult, with the application of positive service to the positive form, one naturally becomes detached from inferior things, and he becomes attached to superior things… That is the sign of a pure devotee.” Therefore, pure devotees in Bhakti yoga show immediate symptoms of knowledge and detachment.