The Yoga of Spiritual Devotion: A Modern Translation of the Narada Bhakti Sutras

I read this book a few years ago for the first time and it changed the course of my life. What else can I say? I had been steeped in studying spirituality from many angles up to that point. This booked opened my heart. I cannot speak highly enough.

I read this book when it was first published in 1998 and have returned to it time and time again. I have a library of other yogic and spirituality related books but this is by far the most eloquent.

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."

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.

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.