Bhakti: The Art of Eternal Love

by A.C. Bhaktivedanta

Before Srila Prabhupada came to America in 1965, he lived in a quiet room in the Radha-Damodara temple, and through his window he could see and draw inspiration from the samadhi of Rupa Goswami. Seven years later, Srila Prabhupada returned to the Radha-Damodara temple. And in the courtyard, near Rupa Goswami's samadhi, he gave for his disciples a series of lectures on The Nectar of Devotion. Selections from those lectures, full of deep insight into bhakti, have been interwoven with excerpts from The Nectar of Devotion to form the substance of this book.
What we call love in the material world is all too temporary, but in the kingdom of God the profound loving exchanges Lord Krishna enjoys with His dearest devotees are eternal. Bhakti-yoga teaches us how to enter into that realm of eternal love.
From pages 33 to 45 is included the compilation by Mahatma Dasa on Krishna Consciousness at Home, an introduction into practicing Krishna Consciousness.


Librarian's note: an alternate cover edition
ISBN-13: 9780892133314

Genres: Hinduism, Spirituality

55 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

His Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (अभय चरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामी प्रभुपाद)was born as Abhay Charan De on 1 September 1896 in Calcutta, India.

He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.

At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.

In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.

Reviews

[Julie McCord · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know anything about ISKCON, you have a pretty good idea what to expect here. This is a quick little book with three parts. First it defines bhakti, the path of loving devotion: how it differs from other paths, how it comes naturally. Of course the focus is on devotion to Krishna. There are also numerous references to "The Nectar of Devotion," a book from which a large part of this booklet is distilled.

The second and largest portion goes to describing the particular benefits of doing bhakti for Krishna. (As a Sakta myself, I was surprised to read here that in the Tantras, Lord Shiva repeatedly tells Devi Maa the particular perfection of Krishna-consciousness. By "surprised" I mean "politely skeptical," but we're all cousins here, yeah?)

The third, and of most interest to me as someone on a different devotional journey, has suggestions on the core basics of beginning devotional work: some basic prayers, how to do japa (rosary work), suggestions for building an altar. While this is all still naturally Krishna-focused, because it's pretty good about explaining why things are done a certain way, it makes the material easier to compare to other systems or use to develop one's own practice. (It also gives you several opportunities to order goodies from the organization. As I said, it's familiar territory. In its favor, though, it actually is nice to have a centralized source for things, I imagine.)

It's a quick read if you've built a tolerance for terms from Sanskrit. If you haven't, there's a glossary in the back.

[Qwistie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I wonder if this was a pamphlet for some specific sect of Hinduism or an ashram. I was in love with the artwork and the first chapter..I kept an open mind reading the rest of the book. It was a little preachy in regards to what a human should do to be in Krishna Consciousness.
The idea of push and pull of existence working through each of us is fascinating.
I am trying to learn about different spiritual practices and beliefs, but it was a little funny in how strict individuals have to be.
The main takeaway for me was the Hare Krishna mantra, and also the general idea that giving up all desires is the way to attain enlightenment, which also is contradicting our drives to exist.

[Jaymes Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book intended as an overview to aid in briefly understanding the elements of Bhakti Yoga, or Krishna Consciousness (almost the same way a pamphlet on how to become and practice being a Christian is not the same as a Bible). As someone who enjoys cross-cultural learning I found it intriguing, and can tell the author was spiritually/emotionally invested. This text inadvertently helped me understand why Krishna Consciousness developed in the West and USA as a niche culture, especially due to the message of love, devotion, and ultimately a greater purpose.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful synopsis on Devotional Service

I love all of these small Prabhupada books. They give such a wonderful and succinct breakdown of the fundamentals of Krishna Consciousness. This book is a very quick read 60mins for an average reader. If you even read 3 pages a day you will be done in under a month. The journey to Self-Realization begins one page at a time and one round of japa at a time. All glories to Srila Prabhupada

[Harmony Rasuna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting how the author of the book tells about how to become a totally devoted devotee but I am sorry to say I will not become a Hare Krishna devotee. I like to chant his name sometimes and I have been to a Hare Krishna temple a few times and I liked doing the ritual and singing. But I am sorry to say that even though this author is trying its best to change me into a totally devoted devotee I will not do it. I have got my reasons.

[Leila Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

An insightful short read, though I was skeptical about some parts, possibly due to my lack of religious background and the occasionally preachy tone. Nonetheless, it's an interesting book that offers cultural insights into devotion. Some terms in Sanskrit can be difficult to understand, but it's a good, quick read for those with an open mind.

[Eleanor Rigby · Rating 3 out of 5]

brief overview of Krishna consciousness and the ideas around devotional service. I thought it was a good introductory level explanation. the book uses the idea of collective karma to justify the caste system though so I did not like that part.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good to read when I can't sleep.

[Muskan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a short summary of the book- bhakti rasāmrta Sindhu. It is a starter guide to Bhakti Yoga.

[B. Mulenga Sindala · Rating 2 out of 5]

Different take a book to read with an open mind if not Hindu.

[Ajay Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to know, what really is devotion and how to perform it ..
Then read this wonderful small book.

[Ilonita50 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Huge dissapointment for ths book. It shows actually one person's point of view to hinduism, there were many chapters which, im sorry, but seemed stupid and i was wondering has the author have been born in hindu family; Choosing this book to read i expected to get some inspirational material, unfortunately i didnt find it at all. And sure, do read the book, but you also have to follow what you are reading..dont believe exactly to everything it says..

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who is new to learning about Hinduism, this book was far too complicated and intense for me to understand. It also seems to be excerpts from a book, and is trying to sell you that other book. Perhaps this would be a resource better for someone who has a greater understanding of Hinduism than I do.

[Harish Napa Janakiraman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book to read to develop Bhakti towards Bhagwan Krishna.

[Russell Eric Dobda · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to live up to your higher self through devotion to spirit. A quick read that is very uplifting.