Blissful Experience Bhakti: Quintessence of Indian Philosophy

Contents Life Sketch of Our Father Sri T. Krishnamacharya vi Genealogy ix Benediction by B.K.S. Iyengar xi Preface xiii Presentation xv List of Illustrations xvii 1. Introduction 1 Lord Rama’s Disappointment 2 The Soul 7 God and the World 11 Concept of Soul and Supreme Soul, Atma and Paramatma 12 God and the Soul 13 The Aim of Devotion 14 What Does Man Achieve in Devotion? 17 The Supremacy of Devotion 17 2. Concept of Bhakti 18 3. Stages of Bhakti 40 Different Stages of Bhakti 40 Four Stages of Approach 43 Salokya 43 Samipya 44 Sayujya 44 Stages of Bhakti in Narayaniyam 55 4. Ramanuja’s Teaching of Bhakti 57 Ramanuja’s Views in a Nutshell 57 Ramanuja’s Teaching Through his life and works 59 Two types of Human Pursuit 63 Surrender to God 65 The Theology of Ramanuja 66 Universality of God 67 Fruits of Self-surrender 69 5. The Sevenfold Discipline of Ramanuja (Sadhana Saptaka) 70 Introduction 70 Ramanuja’s Philosophy 71 Importance of Means and Practical Examples 75 Sevenfold Practice, Sadhana Saptaka 77 Discrimination (Viveka) 81 Means to Purify the Mind, the Intellect, the Ego and the Cit 82 Freedom from Desires (Vimoka) 92 Constant and Uninterrupted Spiritual Practice (Abhyasa) 95 Good Action (Kriya) 101 Virtuus Qualities and Conduct (Kalyana Guna) 105 Truthfulness (Satya) 107 Straightforwardness or Sincerity (Arjava) 110 Compassion to Living Beings, Deep Sympathy (Daya) 112 Harmlessness, Non-violence (Ahimsa) 113 Gift of Duly Earned Belongings (Dana) 116 Satvika Dana 117 Rajasika Dana 118 Tamasika Dana 119 Non-covetousness (Anabhidaya) 120 Cheerfulness (Anavasada) 121 Non-exultation (Anuddharsa) 123 6. Value of Uttering God’s Name 127 Importance of God’s Name 128 Relation Between Name and Form or Image 131 The Inherent Power of the Name (Name-sakti) 134 The Means 137 7. Symbolism in Devotion, Pratika Upasana 139 Importance of Symbols 139 The Relevance of Symbols in Devotion 142 Symbols 152 Symbols in Buddhism 157 Symbols in Hinduism 158 Pranava (OM) 158 Sri Cakra 160 Tantra 161 Mandala 162 Svastika 163 Siva-Linga 164 Salagrama or Saligrama 165 Symbolic form of Worship (Pratika) 166 Worship Through Meditation 166 8. Peaceful Emotion Santa Rasa 172 Birth of Human Emotions 173 Peaceful Emotion (Santa Rasa) 176 Santa Rasa and Bhakti 180 9. Image in Devotion 185 Need for Images in Devotion 185 How Images Develop Bhakti 187 Greatness of Images in Spiritual Evolution 193 10. Adoration of God (Prayer) 206 Adoration of God 210 Prayer 220 Why Should We Pray? 220 How to Pray? 229 Japa 230 Sound is in fact the breath of Brahman 236 Pranava and Pranava Japa 237 Rama Nama Japa 243 Mahatma Gandhi’s view on Rama Nama Gayatri 243 11. Dietary Regulations in Devotion: Ahara Niyama 247 Praise of Food (Annastuti) 247 Efficacy of a Proper Diet 248 Mind is Made of Food 251 The Quality of Mind Depends upon the Quality of Food 253 The Two fold classification of creatures 255 The Concept of Anna in the Upanisads 256 Chandogya Upanisad on Food 257 Prasada, the Divine Food 259 The Six Tastes of food in Ayurveda 260 Sweet (Madhura) 263 Sour (Amla) 263 Salty (Lavana) 264 Bitter (Katuka) 264 Pungent or Spicy (Tikta) 264 Astringent (Kasaya) 265 The Concept of Ojas 268 The Concept of Personality in Hindu Philosophy 269 Factors that Influence Man’s Personality 270 Birth and Development of Different Emotions 271 Vegetarianism and Non-vegetarianism in Hinduism 272 Scriptural Awareness of Animals 273 The Three Types of Food According to Bhagavad-Gita 278 Food Regulations in Yoga 282 Disciplines in Food Habits 284 Ramanuja on Food Regulations 285 Vedanta Desika on Food Regulations 286 Forbidden Foods 287 Foods to be Avoided 289 Eating Regulations (Bhojana Niyama) 291 Indications for Daily Life 293 A Note of Caution 295 Glossary 296 Bibliography 320 Index 326