BizCar - English Language Books: International supplier of books in the English language
|
|
|
| The Yoga of Spiritual Devotion: A Modern Translation of the Narada Bhakti Sutras | 
 enlarge | Author: Prem Prakash
Publisher: Inner Traditions
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95 (30.49 RON)
Buy New: $10.36 (24.39 RON)
You Save: $2.59 (6.10 RON) (20%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 546047
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 176
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5
ISBN: 0892816643
Dewey Decimal Number: 294.543
EAN: 9780892816644
ASIN: 0892816643
Publication Date: March 1, 1998
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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
Product Description
• The first translation of this great but little-known path of spiritual devotion written for the modern Western audience.
• An insightful commentary aimed at making the path of love immediately accessible to Westerners.
• A life-affirming and relationship-positive path of yoga.
• Written in the spirit of the kirtans (ecstatic songs and dances) of Narada, sensitively translated by Prem Prakash.
Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion, is considered one of the primary paths for spiritual realization in yogic tradition. Its author, Narada, is the embodiment of the enlightened sage who travels the universe spreading his sacred teachings. Unlike Jnana Yoga, the Yoga of Wisdom, the bhakti acolyte does not discriminate against material phenomena--for him, all phenomena are aspects of God. Within the context of Ananda, blissful love, the temporal is realized as the reflection of the eternal, and the soul is realized as the expression of God.
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Masterful Interpretation of Bhakti Sutras June 8, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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."
The Best Translation of the Bhakti Sutras (Required Reading) November 24, 1999
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
Prem Prakash does a masterful job in translating the Bhakti Sutras (Bhakti yoga, is the yoga of love and devotion). Not only is the translation accurate, but insightful & heartfelt. This book is required reading just as Juan Muscaro's books are ("Bhagavad Gita" & "The Dhammapada"), and all the books by Sri Chinmoy.
 Beautiful modern English interpretation of Bhakti yoga October 28, 1999
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
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.
|
|
|
