Why bhakti is on top of the paths

REFLEXIONS

The process of uniting oneself with the Supreme is called yoga. Yoga actually means bhakti yoga; all other yogas lead to it, the final destination. From the journey's start in karma yoga, to its end, it is a long way to self-realisation.

When karma yoga grows in knowledge and renunciation, that stage is called jnana yoga. When jnana yoga grows in meditation to the Supersoul, and the mind is on Him, it is called ashtanga yoga. And when one comes to the point of the Supreme Person of Godhead Krishna, it is called bhakti yoga, the culmination.

This is confirmed by Krishna Himself in the Bhagavad Gita, "And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me, he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all."

Bhakti yoga is the last link in the yogic chain, the link that binds us to Lord Krishna. Without this final link, the chain is practically useless.

Those who are not unalloyed devotees but follow paths of spiritual realisation such as karma yoga, jnana yoga and hatha yoga must leave the body some time and return to this world of birth and death. In Srimad Bhagvatam, Narada Muni explains that Vedic literature is so vast, and there are so many forms of religion, but if they don't teach what true bhakti or devotion and sacrifice to Lord Krishna is, then they cannot really bring a person to the real natural happiness and joy that everyone is seeking.

Pure devotional service or bhakti is the beginning of all auspiciousness. It brings immediate relief from all kinds of material distress. It is clearly declared by the Supreme Lord that in devotional service there is no distinction between the lower and higher classes of people. In fact, devotion makes everyone eligible for the Supreme destination.

Based on Bhagavad Gita As It Is by Iskcon founder Srila Prabhupada.