It includes the external and symbolic worship of the murti, other practices such as pilgrimage and the sophisticated processes of inner development. Within modern Hinduism, bhakti-yoga remains the predominant path towards spiritual fulfilment. Krishna says that at the beginning, bhakti-yoga appears simple, but as it is perfected and as the practitioner matures, it combines all types of yoga. Here as an act of devotion, a priest offers arti (see The Arti Ceremony) to the temple deities.īhakti (devotion) appears to be the path most recommended in the Gita. Other groups consider bhakti to be higher than jnana, considering that “the heart rules the head.” Some consider all paths to be equal. The popular path of bhakti is considered by many to be only a stepping-stone to what they consider the more difficult process of knowledge. The highest perfection is to focus on God within.īhakti-Yoga (the path of devotional service) Nonetheless, Patanjali warns the yogi not to become enamoured of such mystic powers but to keep the mind fixed on leaving the material realm.
The sutras discuss superstates of consciousness and the obtainment of eight main types of mystic power, such as the ability to become “smaller than the smallest.” India is replete with tales of such feats, which are largely accepted as feasible. However, Patanjali’s system requires the observation of standards difficult for most contemporary practitioners. Many modern practices of yoga are related. It is explored succinctly in the Bhagavad-gita.
Jnanayogis negate the world and usually aim at liberation ( mukti or moksha).Īstanga/RajaYoga (physical exercises and meditation)Īsta means “eight” and anga means “part.” Astanga-yoga is a process divided into eight distinct and essential stages, based on the Yoga Sutras of the sage, Patanjali. Jnana is sometimes considered the antithesis of karma.
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Since the pursuit of wisdom and realisation is not simply an academic exercise, much emphasis is placed on becoming free from the sensual desires that delude the soul. Activities and the necessities of life are minimised. Whereas karma-yoga usually involves bhukti, enjoying worldly pleasure, jnana-yoga promotes knowledge through seclusion, study, and sense abnegation. Jnana-yoga (philosophical research and wisdom) Karma-yogis tend to have a materially progressive attitude towards the world and their aim is often the heavenly planets. On the highest level, karma-yoga means the unreserved dedication of all activities to serve the Supreme Lord. Karma-yoga specifically refers to sacrifices offered to various deities to attain material necessities in this life and the next, without accruing any reaction.
By giving up the fruits of action, one is relieved from the reactions to self-centred activities.This does not mean giving up the activity itself, for karma-yoga, on a lower level, recommends that all activities be linked to a greater cause. Karma-yoga begins with the understanding that selfish action binds the soul. Additionally, there may be higher and lower understandings of each path, as we explore below. Either way, it is not that the different paths are tightly compartmentalised – each may contain elements of the others. Others suggest that all four paths are stepping stones along one spiritual path, each building progressively on the previous, more elementary disciplines. Many thinkers claim that all paths are equally valid and effective and that the choice depends on individual inclination. Some authorities list three, others add a fourth. In order to understand the spiritual practices outlined in this section, it is useful to have an overview of the main processes or “paths” (see One Goal, Different Paths).
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