Bhakti Research Articles

Implementasi Ajaran Catur Marga Yoga dalam Kehidupan Masyarakat Hindu

Catur Marga are the four ways or manners of the members of a religious community of Hindu for honor and go in the direction of way the God or Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. The source of teaching Catur Marga are teach in purified literature Bhagawadgita, the main of Trayodhyaya about Karma Marga Yoga, that is one system which content the teaching that the different of teach Subha Karma (good action) with the teach of Asubha Karma (not good action). Karma has two kinds of meaning, that are related to ritual or yajna and karma in meaning action. The second about Bhakti Yoga Marga that is to respectful greeting of God in bring into reality of abstract and resfectful greeting of God in contrete. For example we use nyasa or pratima have the shape statue or mantra. The third about Jnana Marga Yoga that is the way of purified knowledge to go in direction of God. There are two kinds of knowledge. They are jnana (knowledge) and wijnana (everything is know in the knowledge). And the fourth, Raja Marga Yoga that is teach about manner or way of Yoga or medition (th mind concentration) to go in the direction of the God or Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.

Achieving physical and spiritual happiness on bhakti yoga

The current paper discussed two points of view, namely; first, analyze critically the methods used to internalize bhakti yoga devotion to followers. Second, to critically analyze the implications that have arisen after the establishment of bhakti yoga ideology. These are very interesting to study because practically bhakti yoga provides “convenience” in achieving physical and spiritual happiness. That is, taking a way that does not twist can accelerate to religion destination, namely the achievement of physical and spiritual happiness. The results showed first, the process of understanding bhakti yoga ideology was carried out by (1) through nawa widha bhakti, (2) hermitage, (3) raising cattle, (4) associating with spiritual teachers (sadhu sangga). Second, the ingrained bhakti yoga ideology has implications for religious life, namely the use of symbols of religious sect identity unlike the use of japamala and tilaka. Implications to socio-culture, there is an interaction of follower’s culture before and after they take part in bhakti yoga in religious sects. The implication for the economy of religious sects and followers is a capital exchange between followers and capital accumulation on followers and organizations.

TILAK’S VIEW OF KARMA YOGA TO ATTAIN SALVATION: AN ANALYSIS

The paper proposes to present and elaborate and critically analyze the main concept of Tilak‟s view of karma yoga to attain the knowledge of salvation or ultimate goal. Karma yoga is simply the way of desireless or self-based action through the help of knowledge from jnana yoga and bhakti yoga. That knowledge is only sufficient for salvation. His karma yoga based interpretation of the is called Gita Rahasya.

International Development Projects of India's Hindu NGOs

While the ideas and objectives of Western, often religious, agricultural and development organisations in international development are well documented, those of Hindu NGOs operating, internationally, outside India are not. This paper explores the approaches of some of the key players. These include Gandhian Sarvodaya (especially in Sri Lanka), the Ananda Marg's Progressive Utilisation Theory (PROUT) (especially in Venezuela), ISKCON — the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (especially its model farms in Europe), the Ramakrishna Order and, briefly, the “ Bhumi Project”, the Hindu contribution to the UNDP/ARC's multi-faith sustainability initiative “ Many Heavens, One Earth”. Each initiative emphasises different aspects of the Hindu worldview. Gandhian Sarvodaya emphasises self-reliance, non-harming ( ahimsa), and personal ethics ( dharma), while P.R. Sarkar's Ananda Marg, emphasises cooperative enterprise and the institution of a new more spiritually-socialist social order. ISKCON emphasises devotional service ( bhakti yoga) within a model for a self-sufficient, self-sustainable, post-hydrocarbon future, while Swami Vivekananda's Sri Ramakrishna Order emphasises service and holistic development. Finally, the Bhumi Project, a product of the emerging self-awareness of the global Hindu diaspora, aims to unite the work of a range of Hindu organisations. These movements share a development agenda that emphasises self-sustainability, a low ecological footprint, social justice (variously defined), and the development of spiritual rather than economic capital.

Serving, Contemplating and Praying: Non-Postural Yoga(s), Embodiment and Spiritual Capital

In this paper, I discuss the role of spiritual seekers’ embodiment of karma, jnana and bhakti yoga(s) in the context of a neo-Vedantic, non-monastic ashram located in southern-Europe, an ashram I regard as an example of modern denominational yoga. Methodologically, I rely on an ex-post multi-sensory autoethnography, involving apprenticeship and full participation immersion, and I share with physical cultural studies a commitment to empirically contextualise the study of the moving body. Theoretically, I employ Shilling’s theory of the body as a multi-dimensional medium for the constitution of society, enriched by other theoretical and sensitising concepts. The findings presented in this paper show that the body of the seekers/devotees can be simultaneously framed as the source of, the location for and the means to, the constitution of the social, cultural and spiritual life of the ashram. As I discuss the development, interiorisation and implementation of serving, contemplative and devotional dispositions, which together form the scheme of dispositions that shape a yogic habitus, I also consider the ties between the specific instances under study and the more general spiritual habitus. The paper ends by broadening its focus in relation to the inclusion of Asian practices and traditions into the Western landscape.

Bhakti and Henadology

Bhakti and Henadology

RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM UJIAN BERBASIS KOMPUTER PADA SMK BHAKTI UTAMA BANDAR LAMPUNG

SMK Bhakti Utama Bandar Lampung merupakan salah satu lembaga pendidikan yang beralamat di Jln. Panglima Polim No 2A, Segalamider – Bandar Lampung. SMK Bhakti Utama Bandar Lampung mempunyai tujuan untuk meningkatkan pelayananan dalam penilaian. Salah satu cara untuk mewujudkannya adalah dengan adanya suatu sistem ujian yang baik. Tapi terdapat kendala pada SMK Bhakti Utama, yaitu pengelolaan pelaksanaan ujian, penilaian dan penjadwalan, masih menggunakan cara manual dan belum terkomputerisasi, hal ini dapat menyebabkan terhambatnya proses penyampaian informasi. Oleh karena itu dilakukanlah suatu penelitian dengan tujuan untuk memperbaiki sistem yang ada di SMK Bhakti Utama Bandar Lampung dengan mengganti sistem ujian yang manual dengan yang terkomputerisasi.Model yang digunakan adalah Model Object Oriented dengan metode pengembangan sistem waterfall. Tahapan pengembangan terdiri dari rekayasa dan pemodelan sistem informasi, analisis kebutuhan perangkat lunak, desain, pengkodean, pengujian dan pemeliharaan. Teknik pengumpulan data diantaranya yaitu metode observasi, wawancara dan studi pustaka. Sistem ini dapat melakukan pengujian siswa secara manajemen data user, menu, soal dan penjadwalan ujian.Dengan dirancangnya sistem ujian berbasis komputer, guru dapat melaksanakan ujian dengan mudah dan langsung mengetahui hasilnya yang dapat digunakan oleh guru untuk membuat keputusan dan menyimpan berkas hasil ujian dan nilainya dengan aman dikomputer tanpa penumpukan berkas kertas hasil ujian seperti sebelumnya.

ON THE STONE WORSHIPPING MEDIUM PEDEWAQ PERFORMED BY HINDU WORSHIPPERS AND WETU TELU MUSLIMS IN LINGSAR DISTRICT, WEST LOMBOK REGENCY, INDONESIA

The Balinese (ethnic people origin from Bali Island), who are Hindus, and the Sasaknese (ethnic people origin from Lombok Island), who are WetuTelu Muslims, perform the religious ritual at the same time at Lingsar Temple complex. It is unique that the same ritual is performed by two different groups of people with different faiths at the complex of Lingsar Temple. They also use the same worshipping medium of stones, which is referred to as Pedewaq . Therefore, it is necessary to identify the Pedewaq worshipping ritual which is performed by the Hindus and WetuTelu Muslims at Lingsar District, West Lombok Regency. The qualitative research method with anthropological approach is used in the study. The problems of the study were analyzed using the theory of religion as a cultural system which is proposed by Cifford Geertz, the theory of structural functionalism, and the theory of symbolic interactionism. They were all eclectically employed. The data were obtained using the participatory observation, in-depth interview, and documentation study. The material of the stone medium was investigated scientifically under X-ray diffractometer and X-ray fluorescence for crystal and element identification. The result of the study indicate that the Pedewaq worshipping ritual performed by the Hindus and WetuTelu Muslims in Lingsar District, West Lombok Regency causes the Hindus to enhance their sradha and bhakti .In addition, such a ritual also strengthens the belief of the WetuTelu Muslims in the traditions which have been carried out through the worshipping ritual using Pedewaq stone as the medium. The padeweq stone is found reach with Silicon (Si), Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca) and Aluminium (Al). The Padewaq stone samples also was found reach with crystal of andesine, jensenite and actinolite. In addition, the performance of such a worshipping ritual causes the people’s tolerance to increase, the creative economic opportunities to be more available, and the culture to be conserved. Apart from that, the performance of such a worshipping ritual also strengthens the religious tolerance in West Lombok, and maintains the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia

Economic Interpretation of Philosophy of Bhagavad Gita: A Descriptive Analysis

Bhagavad Gita has proposed number of economic principles and values. In his recent book, The Idea of Justice, Amartya Sen discusses main massage of the Bhagavat Gita that is ‘duty is important’. In addition to this, the central thesis of the Gita from the philosophical view is found through the concept of yoga. The path of action without motive (or the path of Niskam Karma Yoga) is the most important of those various principles. The path of knowledge (Gyan Yoga) and the path of commitment to work (Bhakti Yoga) are other important principles. Bhagavad Gita analyses in detail the behavioral nature of different individuals and the result of the behavior of the individual. It emphasizes on the good moral character and considers labour as the duty of each and every individual. Similarly it describes about the qualities of life and the happiness of people. Self-reliance of the individual is also emphasized in the Bhagavad Gita. Full commitment to fulfill ones assigned task makes the task successfully accomplished even if people do not care about the fruit (returns from it) before doing the task. Doubts and continuous eye in the fruit work may divert the attention of the actor from the work to the fruit only. Full concentration in the work is necessary to make the work fully successful. The concepts of sustainable development and human development also have their roots in the Bhagavad Gita. Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol. 23&24 No. 1-2, (2017) Combined Issue, Page : 77-101

Relasi Tuhan Dan Manusia (Refleksi Platonis atas Hinduisme)

This article discusses the relationship of God and man in view of Hinduism. The paradigm used in this reflection is the Plato's metaphysics about relatinships pattern of Idea and reality. View of Hinduism, Brahman is the highest Idea that must be addressed by all human beings. To make it easier to understand God or Brahman, in Hinduism there is the understanding that God manifests itself in various forms of gods and goddesses. Man in view of Hinduism, has same elements with the universe as the manifestation of God, then to recognize God, man can also through the understanding of human identity that is Atman. Hinduism teaches various ways or methods to serve and understand God, including of it: bhakti yoga, karma yoga, jnana yoga and raja yoga. In this life, humans are bounded by responsibility. If it’s actions or works are good, so humans will find good result, but if the evil that is done, then humans will get karma. Karma is what prevented him to merge with Brahman / Atman, so that human life will undergo a series or sequence of rebirth, even in the form of lower called samsara. To break this samsara, people should stay away from the mirage of life, do the good, and be aware or understand of their identity that blends with nature is that while blending with the Almighty or moksha.

KOMUNIKASI SIMBOLIK DALAM UPACARA AGNIHOTRA DI ASHRAM VEDA POSHANA DESA PAKRAMAN SADING KECAMATAN MENGWI KABUPATEN BADUNG

<p><em>Bhakti yoga is one of ways to realize the power of God. Bhakti yoga implementation can be done through Yajna, with intention on moksa and creat jagadhita based on dharma. Yajna is a form of Veda implamantatiion. One of the form of Yajna is Agnihotra ritual as Yajna for the god of fire (Agni Dev) in kunda. This ritual is a legacy as the highest Yajna and has done by Rshi. Based on those background, the problems of this research were: (1) How is the form of symbolic communication used in Agnihotra ritual at Ashram Veda Poshana?, (2) What are the functions of symbolic communication in Agnihotra ritual at Ashram Veda Poshana?, (3) What are the meaning of symbolic communication in Agnihotra ritual at Ashram Veda Poshana in Sading villange, Mengwi subdistrict, Badung Regency?</em></p><p><em>Specifically, the purposes of this research were: (1) To describe the symbolic communication in Agnihotra ritual, (2) to describe the function of symbolic communication in Agnihotra ritual, (3) and to explore the symbolic communication meaning in Agnihotra ritual. This research used theory of structural functional and symbolic interactionism. The data were collected through literature review, documentation, observation, and interview. And the data were analyzed by qualitative descriptive technique, and presented narratively. </em></p><p><em>Based on the data analysis of this research entitled Symbolic Communication in Agnihotra Ritual at Ashram Veda Poshana, the verbal and non-verbal communication includes the ritual means preparation, Agnihotra ritual execution, praying etiquette, and time and place of the Agnihotra ritual execution. The function of symbolic communication in Agnihotra ritual involves purification function, as Yajna essence, as communication means between prayers and God, as energy source, as homatheraphy. The meaning of symbolic communication in Agnihotra ritual at Ashram Veda Poshana is: Philosophical meaning gives understanding about symbols in the Agnihotra ritual means, Spiritual meaning improves concentration and jnana, and Harmony meaning builds harmonious relationship between people and God, between people, and between people and environment.</em></p>

BetweenBhaktiandPietà: Untangling Emotion in Marāṭhī Christian Poetry

Between<i>Bhakti</i>and<i>Pietà</i>: Untangling Emotion in Marāṭhī Christian Poetry

Rational devotion and human perfection

In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna lays out three paths of yoga as the means to achieve human perfection: the path of self-less action (karma yoga), the path of knowledge (jnana yoga), and the path of devotion (bhakti yoga). In this paper I will argue for an interpretation of the Gita in which the path of devotion is the last step that leads to moksha. This is not to claim that bhakti yoga is more important than karma and jnana yoga, but rather that the latter two are more elementary. In order to practice bhakti yoga, one must first have practiced karma and jnana yoga. All three forms of yoga are equally important—but there is a prioritized order in which they are to be practiced. On my reading, bhakti is more than having an intense feeling of love for God, because practicing devotion to God is an intellectual love of God that entails an intuitive understanding of the essence of things. My approach is to cross-examine the concept of human perfection as discussed in the Gita and Spinoza’s Ethics. Human perfection is characterized in both texts as a total liberation from being guided by things external to oneself other than one’s own nature. In other words, the aim of life is to liberate oneself by acquiring the right kind of knowledge. The freer one becomes and the more knowledge that one has, the more perfect one becomes. Thus, Spinoza’s idea of the “free man” resembles the self-realized agent in the Gita, because a human being becomes more “perfect” when he expresses God’s power to a greater degree. Bhakti yoga is the last step on the path to attain knowledge of God because in bhakti yoga, one employs the method of intuition to grasp God’s essence. As such, unlike karma and jnana yoga, the knowledge acquired in bhakti yoga is not empirical. In the Gita, rational devotion is a single act of both the mind and the heart, which, in turn, will lead to the practice of self-less actions.

The concept of Liberation as treated in the Bhagavata Purana

The concept of Moks.a or liberation occupies the paramount position in the different branches of Indian philosophy as well as literature. Bha-gavata Puran.a mentions the concept of liberation is nothing but the realization of the real nature of the self and also the elimination of the false nature. The Bha-gavata Puran.a has mentioned all the paths for attaining liberation viz., the path of jn~a-nayoga, karmayoga, bhakti yoga etc. It also mentions he practices of the eightfold-yoga to attain liberation. Liberation is the eternal and indestructible status, free from all troubles including from birth and death cycle. It is the transcendental perfection of individual self which is not affected by any evil attributes. Moks.a is abiding in Brahman and that’s why it is the supreme perfection.

A Study to assess the Level of Knowledge Regarding the benefits of Yoga among Primary School Teachers of Magadi Rural Schools, Ramanagara District

Background: The science of Yoga imbibe itself the complete essence of the Way of Life, including - Gyan Yoga or philosophy, Bhakti Yoga or path of devotional bliss, Karma Yoga or path of blissful action, and Raja Yoga or path of mind control. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge regarding the benefits of yoga among Primary school teachers of selected schools, Ramanagara district. To Determine the Association Between the level of knowledge regarding the benefits of yoga among Primary school teachers of magadi rural schools with their selected demographic variables. Methodology: Research design: Non experimental – descriptive, design. Setting: The present study was conducted in Magadi, rural community area, Ramanagara district. Population: The total population of the present study comprised of all Primary school teachers in Magadi, rural community area, Ramanagara district. Sample: Primary school teachers of selected schools, Ramanagara district. Sample size: The sample size of the present study consists of 30 Primary school teachers of selected schools, Ramanagara district. Criteria for sampling selection: Inclusion Criteria: The study includes 1. Teachers who are working in primary schools. 2. Teachers who are available at the time of data collection. Exclusion criteria: The study excluded. 1. Teachers who are not willing to participate in the study. 2. Teachers who are not available at the time of data collection Sampling technique: Non probability – convenience sampling technique. Result: Regarding demographic variables, the maximum number of teachers had age between 31-40 years, 12 (40%). Regarding sex 22 (73%) were female, majority of them were Hindu, 26(87%). Regarding educational qualification, 19 (64%) were B.Ed. Regarding income, majority of them were above 10001, 11(37%), Types of school, majority of them were private school, 21 (60%). The result shows that majority of teachers, 17 (56.6%) of them had moderate level of knowledge, 8 (26.6%) had adequate level of knowledge and remaining 5(16.6%) had inadequate level of knowledge regarding the benefit of yoga. The level of knowledge on the benefit of yoga was significantly associated with education (χ2=4.87, df=1) and income ( χ2=4.12, df=2) at 5% (P<0.05).

Bhakti, and Saranagati in “Siva's Demon Devotee”

Bhakti, and Saranagati in “Siva's Demon Devotee”

Book Review: Bharati Jagannathan, Approaching the Divine—The Integration of Alvar Bhakti in Srivaishnavism

Book Review: Bharati Jagannathan, <i>Approaching the Divine—The Integration of Alvar Bhakti in Srivaishnavism</i>

Yoga in the works of Ādi Śaṅkāracārya

Context: Ādi Śaṅkāracārya was an exponent of Advaita Vedānta philosophy. It is well-known that he preached Jñāna Yoga or the path of knowledge for attainment of liberation. However, very few people are aware of the fact that Ādi Śaṅkāracārya has mentioned various methods or types of yoga for liberation depending on the dispositions of the aspirants. Study of his unpopular works reveal this fact. Aim: The aim of this paper is to present various types of yoga discussed in the works of Ādi Śaṅkāracārya. Method: A descriptive method of analyzing arguments is used because of the philosophico-literary nature of the study. Result: Ādi Śaṅkāracārya has stated various types of yoga such as Bhakti Yoga, Rāja Yoga, Haṭha Yoga, and Tantra Yoga as a means to Jñāna Yoga. Conclusion: Study of Ādi Śaṅkāracārya's work reveals that Bhakti Yoga, Rāja Yoga Haṭha Yoga, and Tantra Yoga are a means to knowledge or Jñāna Yoga for the attainment of emancipation.

The Universalization of the Bhakti Yoga of Chaytania Mahaprabhu. Ethnographic and Historic Considerations

Inspired by Victor Turner's concepts of structure and communitas, this article commences with an analysis of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas - worshipers of Radha, and Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu followers. Secondly, we present data from ethnographic research conducted with South American devotees on pilgrimage to the ceremonial center ISCKON in Mayapur, West Bengal, during the year 1996, for a resumption of those initial considerations. The article seeks to demonstrate that the ritual injunction characteristic of Hindu sects, only makes sense from the individual experience of each devotee.

Interpreting Devotion: The Poetry and Legacy of a Female Bhakti Saint of India. By Karen Pechilis.

Interpreting Devotion: The Poetry and Legacy of a Female Bhakti Saint of India. By Karen Pechilis.