A Path Fraught With Danger: Reflections on Aṣṭåṅga Yoga from Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Prema Pradipa: Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Abstract

The relationship of A߆åõga-yoga and bhakti is a strained one in the Gau∂îya Vaishnava tradition. Philosophically, the yogî’s emphasis
upon self-denial conflicts with the bhakta’s desire to relish sacredsensual pleasures—a relishing enabled by the actualization of God’s love within the soul. The ultimate goal of A߆åõga-yoga is the experience of absolute freedom through the liberation of the Self (puruna) from the bondage of the material world (prak®ti). The fundamental goal of Gau∂îya Vaishnava bhakti is the awakening of love (prema) within the soul (jîva) through devotion to Krishna. Although the two religious paths merge in a desire to commune with God (îΩvara) and to liberate the human spiritual essence (purußa or jîva) from the bondage of material attachment, they nevertheless diverge in their teachings about the best way to achieve such liberation.