Thus, the end goal of both Bhakti and Jnana is one and the same.

Nama Article 20th May 2013

 

People speak of Bhakti and Jnana as being different. Is it so?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

As the first step in earning Bhakti one should listen to stories (of the Lord), sing the Lord's praises, do japa, serve the Guru, serve the Lord, visit Holy Places, bathe in Holy Rivers, etc. Through these one makes progress in Bhkati. As a result one would experience horripilation, have divine visions externally, tears of joy would trickle down and one has the external vision of the Lord. But one should go further. Divine visions should be experienced internally. Then comes the state of Samadhi. However, to move in and out of Samadhi is not a high state. One should always be in the experience of deep Samadhi state and at the same time be able to move normally in the world. This is verily the state of sahaja Samadhi. This is the Bhakti that is experienced in the highest state ('turiya'). Thus, the end goal of both Bhakti and Jnana is one and the same.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare