Bhakti Yoga facts for kids

Bhakti Yoga is a special way of practicing Hinduism, which is a religion from India. It's all about showing deep love and devotion to a form of God. People who practice Bhakti Yoga often pray and think about a specific Hindu god, most commonly Vishnu.

What is Bhakti Yoga?

The word "Bhakti" comes from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. It means having a strong feeling of love and dedication towards God. In Bhakti Yoga, people connect with God in a very loving way. They might see God as a beloved friend, a caring parent, or even a master they serve with devotion. This practice helps them feel closer to the divine.

Nine Ways to Practice Bhakti

Ancient Hindu texts, especially the Bhagavata Purana, describe nine main ways to show this devotion. These practices help people feel closer to God:

• śravaṇa: This means "listening." It's about listening to inspiring stories about God and his amazing adventures, like those of Kṛṣṇa.
• kīrtana: This means "praising." It often involves singing songs of praise to God, sometimes in a group, which can be a very joyful experience.
• smaraṇa: This means "remembering." It's about always keeping God in your thoughts and focusing your mind on Vishnu.
• pāda-sevana: This means "giving service." It involves serving God, often by helping others or doing good deeds.
• arcana: This means "worshiping an image." It's about showing respect and devotion to a statue or picture of God.
• vandana: This means "paying homage." It's about showing deep respect and bowing down to God.
• dāsya: This means "behaving like a servant." It's about serving God humbly and with dedication, like a devoted helper.
• sākhya: This means "friendship." It's about seeing God as your closest friend and sharing everything with them.
• ātma-nivedana: This means "complete surrender of the self." It's about fully trusting God and giving your whole self to the divine.

Images for kids

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  Bhakti yoga by a Hindu in Himachal Pradesh.

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  In Hinduism, Bhakti yoga is a spiritual path of loving devotion to a Personal Divine.

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  A Sikh performing Bhakti