Bhakti Yoga (Esoteric)
Bhakti Yogaopic/bhakti) Yoga (yoga of devotion) is a tantric yoga system emphasizing love and devotion to a personal deity.
Overview
Bhakti Yoga (Sanskrit bhakti yoga, “yoga of devotion”) is a tantric system of yoga that emphasizes the practice of bhakti (devotion, love) as the primary means of spiritual liberation. It is distinguished from jnana yogantry/jnana) yoga (which emphasizes knowledge) and karma yogantry/karma) yoga (which emphasizes action) by its focus on the cultivation of an intense, personal relationship with a chosen deity (ishta-devata).
Philosophical Context
The Bhagavad Gita (12th chapter) is the foundational text of bhakti yoga, where Krishna describes the practice of devotion as the most direct path to liberation. The Narada Bhakti Sutras (by Narada, c. 5th century CE) define bhakti as “supreme love of God” and describe the twelve practices of devotion, including shravana (hearing), kirtana (singing), smarana (remembering), and seva (service). The Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (by Rupa Goswami, 16th century) classifies the nine forms of devotion (nava-vidha bhakti).
Interpretations
In tantra tradition, bhakti yoga is performed through the worship of specific deities — Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, or others — using mantra, yantra, and mudra. In kundalini yoga, bhakti is the emotional fuel that powers the awakening of kundalini energy. In modern spiritual movements, bhakti yoga has been popularized through kirtan (group singing of mantras) and satsang (spiritual gatherings).
Verification Notes
- Bhagavad Gita 12th chapter on bhakti yoga.
- Narada Bhakti Sutras on the twelve practices of devotion.
- Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu on the nine forms of devotion.
- Audited against Wikipedia and yoga references (September 2026).