- Title Pages
- Dedication
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Glossary of Sanskrit Words
- Introduction
- Chapter I A Conceptual Introduction
- Chapter II A Historical Survey
- Chapter III Brahman: Nirguṇa and Saguṇa
- Chapter IV Īśvara
- Chapter V Devī
- Chapter VI The Hindu Trinity (Trimūrti)
- Chapter VII Brahmā
- Chapter VIII Viṣṇu
- Chapter IX Śiva
- Chapter X Jīva
- Chapter XI Saṁsāra
- Chapter XII Karma
- Chapter XIII Dharma
- Chapter XIV Māyā
- Chapter XV Mokṣa
- Chapter XVI Jñāna-yoga
- Chapter XVII Bhakti-yoga
- Chapter XVIII Karma-yoga
- Chapter XIX Varṇa
- Chapter XX Āśrama
- Chapter XXI Puruṣārthas
- Chapter XXII Vedas
- Bibliography
- Name Index
- Subject Index
Bhakti-yoga
Bhakti-yoga
- Chapter:
- (p.123) Chapter XVII Bhakti-yoga
- Source:
- Classical Hindu Thought
- Author(s):
Arvind Sharma
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Bhakti-yoga is directed towards the realization of saguna Brahman, and this kind of yoga functions within the framework of a somewhat different set of presuppositions. A special mark of monotheistic belief, whether Śaivism or Vaishavism, is the distinction between God, the individual soul, and the world of which he is the author. The soul is usually conceived as eternal, but as entirely dependent upon God; and it therefore becomes the first duty of man to make himself a conscious and willing instrument in the fulfillment of His purpose. The conception of the goal of life according to early Indian theism may be taken as reaching the presence of God, or becoming godlike. The predominant means of achieving this end is, besides good conduct (caryā), is loving devotion (bhakti) to God.
Keywords: saguna Brahman, yogas, Hinduism, God, bhakti, devotion, good conduct, caryā
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- Title Pages
- Dedication
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Glossary of Sanskrit Words
- Introduction
- Chapter I A Conceptual Introduction
- Chapter II A Historical Survey
- Chapter III Brahman: Nirguṇa and Saguṇa
- Chapter IV Īśvara
- Chapter V Devī
- Chapter VI The Hindu Trinity (Trimūrti)
- Chapter VII Brahmā
- Chapter VIII Viṣṇu
- Chapter IX Śiva
- Chapter X Jīva
- Chapter XI Saṁsāra
- Chapter XII Karma
- Chapter XIII Dharma
- Chapter XIV Māyā
- Chapter XV Mokṣa
- Chapter XVI Jñāna-yoga
- Chapter XVII Bhakti-yoga
- Chapter XVIII Karma-yoga
- Chapter XIX Varṇa
- Chapter XX Āśrama
- Chapter XXI Puruṣārthas
- Chapter XXII Vedas
- Bibliography
- Name Index
- Subject Index