Art of Sadhana: Guide to Daily Devotion

Description

The Art of Sadhana unveils the secrets of devotion within the Vaishnava tradition with deep penetration and insight. Through story, ethical council and advice on daily practice, this work serves as a long-term desktop reference for any serious practitioner of the Bhakti path. Issues of worship, service, association, shelter, initiation, along with the nature of our relationship to the holy name and the power of bhajan, are all addressed. Includes original Sanskrit, inspirational quotes and black-and-white illustrations throughout. Swami Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaja ART OF SADHANA A Guide to Daily Devotion Introduction Chapter I Perfection in Worship Sambandha Abhidheya The Different Forms of Yoga The Perfect Process of Worship Prayojana What is Sadhana Bhakti? Vaidhi Bhakti Raganuga Bhakti Faith is the Seed of the Devotional Creeper Chapter II The Purifying Power of Service Those Who Come to Devotional Service The Transition From Impiety to Surrender The Lord Holds the Pure Devotee Most Dear The Association of Devotees is the Purifying Force Self-deception and Cheating—the Desires for Bhukti and Mukti Devotional Service Purifies Desires The Transformation of the Desires for Knowledge and Liberation Devotion Must Ultimately Be Exclusive Chapter III The Beginnings of Service The Piety Which Leads to Devotion Faith Planting the Seed Chapter IV Serve the Lord’s Devotees Tadéya—“Those Connected To the Lord" The Special Status of the Vaishnavas The Three Levels of Devotees The Characteristics of the More Advanced Devotees The Qualities of a Devotee Essential and Secondary Virtues More Characteristics of the Devotee The Benefits of Associating with the Saintly Avoiding Offenses to the Vaishnavas The Devotee is the Channel of the Lord’s Mercy Chapter V Avoiding Bad Association Philosophers, Yogis and Fruitive Workers Two Kinds of Unholy Persons: the Womanizer and the Impersonalist The Mäyävädé The Danger of Hearing Mäyäväda Commentaries The Lord’s Form and Potencies are Eternal Öhäkura Bhaktivinoda’s Prayer Remain Always in the Association of Devotees Chapter VI Taking Shelter of Krishna The Six Aspects of Çaraëägati Taking Shelter in Body, Mind, and Words The Lord is the Only Refuge “I Have Surrendered Myself to Your Lotus Feet" “I Have Finally Understood, O Lord" “I am Your Dog and You are My Master" Chapter VII The Guru and Initiation Surrendering to the Guru How to Pay Obeisances to the Guru The Necessity of Taking Initiation The Transformation of the Disciple by Initiation The Qualifications of the Disciple and the Spiritual Master The Divine Character of the Guru The Guru’s Mercy The Disciple’s Attitude Initiation is the Transmission of Divine Knowledge Chapter VIII Duties of an Initiated Disciple Instructions of the Spiritual Master to the Student Preparing to Take Initiation Keeping the Mantra Secret Other Instructions from the Närada-païcarätra Keeping the Ekädaçé Vow Injunctions from the Vishnu-yämala The Offerings of the Devotee and Non-devotee The Vaishnava Symbols More Devotional Principles The Prohibitions from the Vishnu-yämala The Initiation Ceremony Chapter IX Diksa Mantra and the Holy Name The Potency of Vishnu-mantras Puraçcaraëa The Shorter Version of Puraçcaraëa The Distinction between the Mantra and the Holy Name The Païcarätra and Bhägavata Approaches to Devotional Service The Importance of Chanting the Holy Names The Chanting of the Holy Names is the Religious Process for This Age Mahaprabhu Appeared to Preach the Chanting of the Holy Names Ways of Chanting If the Name is So Powerful, Then Why do We Need Initiation? The Mantra brings Purification— the Holy Name brings Ecstatic Love The Glories of the Holy Names Chapter X Expertise in Bhajana Choosing the Right Kind of Practice Expertise is Desireless Devotion “You Must be a Lakñeçvara, a Millionaire!" Expertise in Bhajana Means Offenseless Chanting The Ten Offenses to the Holy Name The Merciful Names of Gaura-Nitäi Chapter XI Listening to the Bhagavata The Authority of the Bhägavatam Hearing the Bhägavatam is a Devotional Activity The Bhägavatam—Commentary on Gayatri and Vedanta Mahäprabhu’s Teachings about the Bhägavatam Mahäprabhu’s Devotees’ Love for the Bhägavatam Hear the Bhägavatam in the Association of Devotees The Importance of Siddhänta The Importance of Reflection Devotion is Needed to Understand the Bhägavatam Chapter XII Controlling the Mind The Mind According to Lord Kapiladeva The Mind, the Self, and the Supreme Self The Mind as Friend and as Enemy of the Self Five Stages of Mind Control According to Yoga Sutras The Actual Purpose of the Mental Function Abhyäsa-yoga Conquering the Mind with Higher Intelligence A Combination of Divine Grace and Effort Rüpa Gosvämé’s Upadeçämåta The Higher Taste Chapter XIII Practice and Preaching The Purpose of Mahäprabhu’s Incarnation Mahäprabhu, the Gardener in the Orchard of Love Mahäprabhu’s Instructions to Kürma Vipra Mahäprabhu’s Instruction to Väsudeva Vipra Preaching Does Not Require Renouncing Home Sanätana’s Praise of Haridäsa Öhäkura Acquiring the Authority to Preach Taking Shelter of the Lord: the Life of the Devotee Chapter XIV The Path of Passionate Love Mahäprabhu’s Conversation with Rämänanda Prema-viläsa-vivarta The Sädhana for Achieving the Highest Goal Following in the Gopés’ Footsteps Rägänugä bhakti Lobha, or Intense Desire, Makes one Eligible for Rägänugä Bhakti Harinäma: the Means to Awakening Lobha The Necessity of Gaura-Nitäi’s Mercy Bhaktivinoda’s Prayer to Nåsiàhadeva Chapter XV The Disciples Mentality Ignorance Means Rejecting the Lord Purity’s Characteristics The Servant’s Vow of Service The Devotee’s Prayer Epilogue Smärtas and Païcopäsakas