Bhakti Yoga as said by Lord Krishna.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita is a book that has lessons how to lead our lives, be it for anyone. It teaches us about Karma Yoga, Dharma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga etc.

As far as Bhakti is concerned, as per Srimad Bhagwat Gita, there are two types of Bhakti. First is Para Bhakti and other is Apara Bhakti & each one is directed towards a different aspect of God. Apara-Bhakti is for beginners in Yoga. The beginner decorates an image with flowers and garlands, rings the bell, offers Naivedya (food-offerings), wave lights; he observes rituals and ceremonies. The Bhakta here regards the Lord as a Supreme Person, who is immanent in that image and who can be propitiated through that form only. Gradually, from Apara-Bhakti, the devotee goes to Para-Bhakti, the highest form of Bhakti. He sees the Lord and Lord alone everywhere and feels His Power manifest as the entire universe. "Thou art all-pervading; on what Simhasana shall I seat Thee? Thou art the Supreme Light, in your borrowed light the sun, the moon, the stars and the fire shine; shall I wave this little Deepa or light before You?" - Thus the devotee recognizes the transcendental nature of God. Para-Bhakti and Gyana are one. Before you take your food, offer it to God mentally; and the food will be purified. When you pass through a garden of flowers, mentally offer all the flowers to the Lord in Archana (offering flowers in worship). When you pass through the bazaar and see a sweetmeat shop, offer all the sweetmeats as Naivedya to the Lord. Such practices will lead to Para-Bhakti. . While most of people follow the, Apara Bhakti which is the easier path to salvation. It is in fact the starting point of Bhakti & on that account it is also called the premature stage of Bhakti.

As per the Bhagwat Gita, devotion is the easiest method to develop "Bhaav" and get close to the God. God himself declares about the glory of devotion in Bhagwat Gita:

Ye tu dharmamritam idam yathoktam paryupasate,
Sraddadhana mat-parama bhaktas te ’tiva me priyah.

"Sri Krishna said to Arjuna: O Arjuna, Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me."

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Mayy eva mana adhatsva mayi buddhim nivesaya,
Nivasisyasi mayy eva ata urdhvam na samsayah.

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Just fix your mind upon Me and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt."

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Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru,
Mam evaishyasi satyam te pratijane priyo ’si me.

"Sri Krishna says to Arjuna: Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

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Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja,
Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo mokshayisyami ma suchah.

"Sri Krishna says to Arjuna: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."

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So let's have devotion in God. Let's remember God for some time in our daily life so that we too can generate some "Bhaav" or "Spiritual Emotion" towards the God. Once that is developed, we shall always find God near us & our life shall be filled with joy, love & ecstasy.




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