Sadhana-bhakti - an essential subject

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Sadhana-bhakti refers to the practice of devotional service in a way that ones dormant love for Kṛṣṇa is awakened in the heart. There are 2 aspects to sadhana-bhakti, Vaidhi sadhana-bhakti and Raganuga sadhana-bhakti. Vaidhi sadhana-bhakti refers to the practice of devotional service following rules and regulations sanctioned in the revealed scriptures. If one regularly executes such service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, under the guidance of a bonafide spiritual master, then gradually he rises to the platform of serving in pure love of God. This practice of spontaneous, natural, unforced, loving service to Kṛṣṇa, is known as Raganuga sadhana-bhakti.

Srila Prabhupada's books, lectures, conversations and letters offer a comprehensive presentation of this essential subject as seen in the Vaniquotes Sadhana-bhakti category. An introduction from his books is given below in the following 6 quotes.

Quotes from Srila Prabhupada's books


vanipedia.org 		The process of devotional service—beginning with chanting and hearing—is called sādhana-bhakti. This includes the regulative principles that are intended to awaken one to devotional service. Devotional service is always dormant in everyone's heart, and by the offenseless chanting of the holy names of the Lord, one's original dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness is awakened. This awakening to Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the beginning of sādhana-bhakti. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.177)



vanipedia.org 		There are certain prescribed methods for employing our senses and mind in such a way that our dormant consciousness for loving Kṛṣṇa will be invoked, as much as the child, with a little practice, can begin to walk. One who has no basic walking capacity cannot walk by practice. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be aroused simply by practice. Actually there is no such practice. When we wish to develop our innate capacity for devotional service, there are certain processes which, by our accepting and executing them, will cause that dormant capacity to be invoked. Such practice is called sādhana-bhakti. (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 2)



vanipedia.org 		Without following the above-mentioned ten principles, one cannot properly elevate himself to the platform of sādhana-bhakti, or devotional service in practice. Altogether, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī mentions twenty items, and all of them are very important. Out of the twenty, the first three—namely accepting the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, taking initiation from him and serving him with respect and reverence—are the most important. (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 6)



vanipedia.org 		The word bhakti can be used in ten different ways. Out of these ten, there is sādhana-bhakti, or occupational devotional service. The other nine are called prema-bhakti, love of Godhead. Those who are situated in the neutral position attain perfection up to love of Godhead. Similarly, those who are situated in the relationship of master and servant attain love of Godhead to the stage of attachment. Those who are related in friendship attain love of God to the point of fraternity. Those who are in love with God as His parents are elevated to the point of transcendental emotion. But only those who are related with the Supreme in conjugal love can experience the highest of ecstasies. (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 15)



vanipedia.org 		There are ten meanings for the word "bhakti" ("devotional service"). One is sādhana-bhakti, execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles, and the other nine are varieties of prema-bhakti, ecstatic love of Godhead. The nine varieties of prema-bhakti are rati, prema, sneha, māna, praṇaya, rāga, anurāga, bhāva and mahābhāva—attraction, love, affection, adverse feelings, intimacy, attachment, subattachment, ecstatic love and sublime ecstatic love. For the word sādhana-bhakti there is only one meaning, "the execution of devotional service according to regulative principles. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 24.30)



vanipedia.org 		When transcendental devotional service, by which love for Kṛṣṇa is attained, is executed by the senses, it is called sādhana-bhakti, or the regulative discharge of devotional service. Such devotion eternally exists within the heart of every living entity. The awakening of this eternal devotion is the potentiality of devotional service in practice. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.105)


Sadhana-bhakti - explore more within this category.

Vanipedia has now over 903 introductory articles compiled from Srila Prabhupada's books under the series titled Essential Subjects. All these articles can be seen in the Table of Content on the right side of this article and also here in this Umbrella Category. Browse through them to relish the breadth and depth of Srila Prabhupada's teachings - There is a subject for everyone.


   
 

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