Amazon.com Review
Bhakti yoga is often demeaned as a gross simplification of Hindu spiritualism, and sometimes for good reason. It needn't be, though, because bhakti devotionalism can also offer a rich fullness that permeates daily life. In this commentary on the
Narada Bhakti Sutras, American yogi Prem Prakash explains that unlike other yogas, bhakti yoga does not involve special activities or heavy thinking. In appearance, bhakti comes off like the 20 minute workout of religions--easy, quick, and guaranteed to give results. But as its name suggests, more than anything bhakti requires devotion. In a page or two of comments on each of the 84 verses of the
Narada Bhakti Sutras, Prakash examines the straightforward doctrines of devotionalism and the calm joy that results. For example, he outlines the four methods for developing devotion, which entail relinquishing all attachment to the external world, unceasing worship ("orienting our minds away from selfish preoccupations and toward unselfish, unceasing love), engaging the world with love and joy, and accepting the grace of God through the teachings of a loving guru. If bhakti doesn't appear so simple after all, just remember that the devotional practitioner "is the most simple of men, finding his natural place in the rhythm of life and gaily dancing."
--Brian Bruya
Review
"Bhakti-Yoga, the Yoga of Devotion and Love, is little known and little appreciated in the West. Yet it is one of India's great spiritual legacies. Prem Prakash's book offers a sensitive introduction to the devotional path by a Western practitioner. He makes the ancient
Bhakti Sutras of Narada come alive for all of us who wish to cultivate the beauty and power of the heart. Narada's aphorisms should be studied with the same earnestness as the
Yoga Sutra and the
Bhagavad Gita. I can highly recommend the present book and hope it will widely influence the Western Yoga movement."
(
Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., author of Lucid Waking, The Philosophy of Classical Yoga, and The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga
)
"For Narada, spiritual devotion is its own fruit and the emphasis is upon God pouring grace into the self-emptied ego. Aspirants are wise when they seek the guidance of 'great souls' who have experienced ananda (bliss or divine love). They can learn much from these 'surfers on the waves of God's love' as Prakash calls them. The yoga of spiritual devotion eventually leads to peace and joy - the signs of a radiant heart."
(
Frederic A. Brussat, Values & Visions Circles Newsletter
)
"Because of the telegraphic style of the sutra-text, it's difficult to understand the teaching fully without adequate guidance, either by a trained teacher or a commentary. Here, the commentary (and translation) is by Prem Prakash, and he does an excellent job. But most appealing is they way Prem has realized bhakti and the "easy path," inviting everyone to take at least a few steps along the way. This is an important book that should be in the hands of every serious student."
(
Richard Rosen, Yoga Journal
)
"Prakash's sensitive translation and insightful commentary are clear and inspiring; they open the door for Westerners to understand the Bhatki Sutras on both an intellectual and emotional level."
(
Yoga International , 1998
)
"This is a fine translation with extensive notes and commentary, while still being practical as well as academic." (
Mark Stavish, Director of Studies, Institute of Hermetic Studies, Feb 2009 )
