The Equinox (Volume I, Number III)

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING Of Bhakta Yoga the “ Narada Stra” says: 58. Love (Bhakti) is easier than other methods. 59. Being self-evident it does not depend on other truths. 60. And from being of the nature of peace and supreme bliss.* This exquisite little S@tra commences: 1. We will now explain Love. 2. Its nature is extreme devotion to some one. 3. Love is immortal. 4. Obtaining it man becomes perfect, becomes immortal, becomes satisfied. 5. And obtaining it he desires nothing, grieves not, hates not, does not delight, makes no effort. 6. Knowing it he becomes intoxicated, transfixed, and rejoices in the Self (Atman), This is further explained at the end of Swatmaram Swami’s “ Hatha-Yoga.” Bhakti really means the constant perception of the form of the Lord by the Antahkarana. There are nine kinds of Bhaktis enumerated. Hearing his histories and relating them, remembering him, worshipping his feet, offering flowers to him, bowing to him (in soul), behaving as his servant, becoming his companion and offering up one’s Atman to him. . . . Thus, Bhakti, in its most transcendental aspect, is included in Sampradnyata Samadhi.t * Narada Sfitra. Translated by T. Sturdy. Also see the works of Bhagavan Ramanuja, Bhagavan Vyasa, Prahlada, and more particularly Vivekananda’s “Bhakti Yoga.” Bhakta Yoga is divided into two main divisions. (1) The preparatory, known as “Gauni”; (2) The devotional, known as “Para.” Thus it very closely resembles, even in detail, the Operation of Abramelin, in which the aspirant, having thoroughly prepared himself, devotes himself to the invocation of his Holy Guardian Angel. + In Bhakta Yoga the disciple usually devotes himself to his Guru, to whom he offers his devotion. The Guru being treated as the God himself with which the Chela wishes to unite. Eventually “He alone sees no distinctions! The mighty ocean of love has entered into him, and he sees not men, animals and plants or the sun, moon and the stars, but beholds his Beloved everywhere and in everything. Vivekananda, “ Bhakti Yoga,” Udbodham edition, p. 111. The Sufis were Bhakti Yogis, so was Christ. Buddha was a Gnani Yogi. 73