Talk:Bhakti Yog is more Direct than Other Paths

By Vishal Agarwal

Bhakti and Bhakti Yog establish a direct link or relationship with the Divine. This is not necessarily true of other paths. For example, in Jnana Yog, one must rigorously learn about the nature of reality. This knowledge purifies his intellect and heart, making him a spiritual person who eventually reaches the Divine. In Karm Yog, selfless actions purify one's intellect. Finally, one can see the reflection of the Divine in his atma, or more commonly by supplementing with Jnana Yog or Dhyana Yog. In contrast, Bhakti Yog connects one directly to the Lord-

And he who serves me with the yog of unwavering yog of Bhakti rises above the three gunas and becomes fit for becoming Brahman. Gita 14.26 Because I am the foundation of Brahman (the Universe), the immutable (or infinite) and the immortal, of eternal Dharm and absolute bliss. Gita 14.27

By mere acquaintance with the King, one does not acquire a royal lifestyle. By mere knowledge of food, one does not satiate his hunger. But it is by gaining the love of the King or obtaining food that one becomes happy. Likewise, it is the love for the Lord that results in supreme bliss. Närada Bhakti Sütra 31-32 (paraphrase)

Depend only on Him who is fond of His servants and whose adoration is the path to be chosen by persons in quest of Moksha. Install the Supreme Being in your heart that has been purified by your good deeds, and adore Him with unswerving devotion and dedication. Bhagavata Purāņa 4.8.22

The person who abandons the Lord and seeks shelter in something else is silly, like one trying to cross the ocean by holding on to a dog's tail. Bhagavata Purana 6.9.22d

Illustration of the Glory of Bhakti: A King was traveling through a forest in his kingdom when suddenly, a gang of bandits from the neighboring hostile kingdom attacked his entourage. They quickly overwhelmed the four guards with the King and bound him up. Luckily, a group of six young men were passing by. When they saw their beloved King being bound, they attacked the bandits, chased them away after a fight, and untied the King and his guards. The King was extremely pleased with the bravery of the six young men and offered each of them a wish. The first asked for a new road to his village. The second asked for a small sum of money to pay off his education loans. The third asked for a bravery award. The fourth asked for a new house. The fifth asked the King to get him married to a rich girl whom he loved but whose parents had refused the wedding proposal. The King granted all the five men their wishes. The sixth man, however, asked for something strange. He said, "I live in a hut at the base of a hill in a lovely area. I request that henceforth, the King should spend a week every year in my home. This will improve his health, because of the area's pleasant climate. It will also help him get distressed because he will get away for a week from the troubles of running his Kingdom"

The King was surprised at this request but agreed to it to keep his word. But before the King moved into the sixth man's hut, it was decided that the hut should be razed down, and a palace built in its place. Furthermore, a new road must be constructed to allow the King's carriage to travel smoothly to the hut. As the King and his entourage would need a lot of supplies during the week, the King ordered that a new Mall be constructed in the area. Since he could not throw out the owner of the hut from his home, he allowed the sixth man to stay in the new palace throughout the year.

The sixth man was very handsome and from a very learned family. By asking that the King be his guest for a week every year, not only did get to live comfortably forever in a palace, and cause economic development of his village, but he was also bestowed a royal title because, after all, the King would not live with a mere commoner. The King also brought him a new car, new clothes, and other luxury items to befit his status as a resident of the palace. The Princess, who visited the palace with her father every year soon fell in love with the young man and married him. In summary, by winning over the King as his guest, the sixth young man got everything and much more than what all the other five friends had obtained.

Likewise, God is the King of the Universe. We all keep hankering after things like a mansion, a good job, a big bank balance, and other things, which are trivial in comparison to God. If only we were able to invite God and make him a guest in our lives, everything that we wish for would follow automatically.