The Yoga of Spiritual Devotion: A Modern Translation of the Narada Bhakti Sutras (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: ananda aspect, tual devotion, bhakti sutras, The Yoga of Spiritual Devotion, Bhagavad Gita, Baba Hari Dass (more...)

Editorial Reviews

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

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

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

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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892816643
• ISBN-13: 978-0892816644
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,789 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful modern English interpretation of Bhakti yoga, October 27, 1999

By	Mari G. Reeves ([e-mail]) (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

The Narada Bhakti sutras were written very long ago compared to American history. This book explains in plain modern English the beautiful and complex sutras which present Narada's interpretation of worship through love. While it may not be possible to separate Indian culture from Indian worship, the author's translation and explanatory notes makes Bhakti worship accessible even to one who is unfamiliar with Hindu lore. Further, this book entices the reader to at least attempt to follow Bhakti philosophy and its form of worship.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful Interpretation of Bhakti Sutras, June 8, 2006

By	Laura De Giorgio "www.deeptrancenow.com" (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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Bhakti sutras are a sheer delight to read and re-read many times again, until their truth become deeply impressed upon one's being.

As the verses and the commentary in this book say "The nature of spiritual devotion is the supreme love. And its essence is the nectar of immortality. Supreme love is the love of God. The love of God is the only love that exists. All expressions of love are manifestations of this supreme love."

"With a realization of spiritual devotion, one becomes spiritually intoxicated; one becomes overwhelmed, one comes to rejoice in the Self."

"When one is single-hearted, one relinquishes seeking security in anything other than God."

"Spiritual devotion is superior even to the paths of service, wisdom, and traditional yoga."

The sutras and their interpretation explain what is spiritual devotion, how is it different from other yoga disciplines, what should an aspirant do and what he shouldn't do in order to successfully surmount obstacles on the path.

"Who crosses, who crosses the ocean of the Great Illusion? One who becomes ego free, who serves the great souls, and who relinquishes attachment to others... Renouncing even the scriptures, a complete, unceasing, intense longing for God is obtained. He crosses, he crosses, and he helps all the world to cross."

"Love manifests itself where there is an able vessel. ... Achieving that experience one sees only love, hears only love, speaks only of love, and thinks of love alone."

"Through sincere veneration, God swiftly becomes manifest in the awareness of devotees."

"Whoso fully believes and has faith in these divinely auspicious teachings decreed by Narada becomes endowed with spiritual devotion. That one obtains the Dearest Beloved."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for the library of every spiritual aspirant, September 24, 2008

By	L. Monozon "Yoga instructor" (San Diego) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book when it was first published in 1998 and have returned to it time and time again. I have a library of other yogic and spirituality related books but this is by far the most eloquent.