Karma yoga is for Krishna, Jnana is also to invoke Bhakti then why Yoga division
Hare Krishna ,
1. If knowledge is needed to generate faith in lord then, Jnana Yoga should come before Bhakti yoga?
2. Everything is done for Krishna(Karma yoga) is also a form of Bhakti Yoga and Jnana yoga also teaches about lord to increase the inclination towards lord’s Bhakti. Then why division of yoga is done if everything is situated on Bhakti yoga platform? Mistakes may be there in my understanding being a neophyte, apology for that. Please enlighten with your humble words.
Thank you,
Yss,
Priyanka Sinha
- 3 Replies
Thank you for asking a very thoughtful question….
Yoga means interlinking oneself with the Supreme Being and this is the goal to be attained by different Yoga systems either be Karma Y, Jnana Y, Astanga Y or Bhakti Yoga.- Karma Y means engaging one’s senses in the service of the Lord
- Jnana Y means to understand the Supreme Being with one’s Mind through Philosophical research
- Astanga Y means to meditate on the Lord
- While Bhakti Yoga is to love the Lord with all one’s means. In this step all the above engagement of Senses, Mind & Intelligence follows naturally. And this is the highest step in the Yoga ladder.
One cannot jump to the last step directly. However, under the guidance of bonafide spiritual master one can engage in Bhakti Yoga by properly executing the previous 3 stages. For an instance:
- Karma Yoga – Engage one’s senses & results of our work in the service of the Lord
- Jnana Yoga – Regular study of Bhakti Scriptures or Srila Prabhupada’s books
- Astanga Yoga – Attentive chanting of Holy Names everyday
To conclude, the Lord explains different Yoga Systems to highlight the importance & greatness of Bhakti Yoga among all the systems of Yoga (BG 6.47). And all our endeavors are successful if only Hari is pleased (samsiddhim hari tosanam) otherwise it all will be futile.
And why Jnana Yoga is discussed after Bhakti Yoga?
To highlight the need of scriptural knowledge to become steady on the path of Bhakti.
OM TAT SAT!
Hare Krishna Prabhu ji
I am really obliged for taking your precious time from your busy schedule to answer to my question. Nicely explained and I am completely satisfied with your precise and to the point explanation. I will try to imbibe it as it is very easy to remember. Thank you so much and Dandvat Pranam.
Thankyou for this question dear mother 🙏
Explained in such simple words Prji. No words for the mercy being felt !! 🌺🙇
Feels Extremely grateful to come across this 🌼🙇
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