{"id":87,"date":"2017-03-21T04:26:07","date_gmt":"2017-03-21T15:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arogyayogaschool.com\/blog\/?p=87"},"modified":"2025-04-14T10:12:01","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T10:12:01","slug":"the-four-paths-of-yoga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arogyayogaschool.com\/blog\/the-four-paths-of-yoga\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Types of Yoga – What is Four Paths of Yoga"},"content":{"rendered":"

Four types of yoga is Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. All paths lead to the same place: union with Brahman or God. To gain true wisdom, we must integrate the lessons from each path.<\/p>\n

Karma Yoga \u2013<\/strong> The Path of Selfless Action<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Karma Yoga represents the Yoga of Action, a path often selected by individuals with an extroverted disposition. This practice cleanses the heart by encouraging selfless actions, devoid of any desire for personal gain or reward.<\/p>\n

Let go of your attachment to the results of your actions and focus on a higher purpose. This helps you rise above your ego. To facilitate this process, maintaining focus by chanting a mantra during activities can be beneficial.<\/p>\n

Karma Yoga<\/strong>\u00a0is one of the four principal routes of yoga<\/a>. A focus upon giving selflessly<\/strong> involves performing actions with no regard to the results.<\/p>\n

The path is a way to do our duties with love. We should not act out of ego or seek rewards. This helps us clear our minds and grow spiritually.<\/p>\n

Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of action.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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—\u00a0Bhagavad Gita 2.47<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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“He who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is wise among men.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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—\u00a0Bhagavad Gita 4.18<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Bhakti Yoga – The Journey Of Devotion Or Sacred Love<\/h2>\n

This route is especially attractive to individuals with an emotional disposition. The force of love primarily drives the Bhakti Yogi, who perceives God as the personification of love.<\/p>\n

Through prayer, worship, and rituals, they dedicate themselves to God. He transforms his feelings into pure love or dedication. A significant aspect of Bhakti Yoga involves chanting or singing the praises of God (Lord Krishna).<\/p>\n

The\u00a0yoga path that is spiritual<\/strong>\u00a0is a path to self-realization as well as union in the realm of God or Higher Self.\u00a0More than just physical exercises, the process encompasses emotional, mental, and spiritual growth.\u00a0The following are\u00a0four primary traditional paths of yoga<\/strong>\u00a0that are each suitable for individuals with different temperaments:<\/p>\n

Types of bhakti yoga<\/h3>\n

Practice of bhakti yoga is the path of devotion. One of the four main paths of yoga exists. Within Bhakti Yoga there are\u00a0various kinds<\/strong>\u00a0according to the character and form of devotion.<\/p>\n

3 Forms of Bhakti Yoga<\/h3>\n

People usually describe them using nine types<\/strong> (Navadha Bhakti), five main emotions (Bhavas)<\/strong>, and two general types<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Navadha Bhakti (Nine Forms of Devotion)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Nine ways exist for the devotee to show his devotion to the Divine:<\/p>\n

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  1. Sravana Sravana Listening to the stories and glories of God<\/li>\n
  2. Kirtana<\/strong>\u00a0Chanting or singing the praises and names of God<\/li>\n
  3. Smarana<\/strong>\u00a0Smarana Reminding God in all circumstances<\/li>\n
  4. Pada-sevana<\/strong>\u00a0Serving at the foot of Lord Lord (symbolic that of service in humility)<\/li>\n
  5. Archana<\/strong>\u00a0worship through offerings and rituals<\/li>\n
  6. Vandana<\/strong>\u00a0Pray and prostration<\/li>\n
  7. Dasya<\/strong>\u00a0serving God as an honest servant<\/li>\n
  8. Sakhyam<\/strong>” Friendship” with God<\/li>\n
  9. Atma-nivedana<\/strong>\u00a0– Total self-sacrifice to God<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    2.\u00a0Bhava Bhakti (Five Devotional Attitudes)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    They are emotional connections or moods that one develops with God:<\/p>\n

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    1. Shanta Bhava<\/strong>\u00a0– Peaceful adoration<\/li>\n
    2. Dasya Bhava<\/strong>\u00a0– The attitude of the servant<\/li>\n
    3. Sakhya Bhava<\/strong>\u00a0– Feeling of friendship<\/li>\n
    4. Vatsalya Bhava<\/strong>\u00a0– Parental affection (like Yashoda for Krishna)<\/li>\n
    5. Madhura Bhava Madhura Bhava Sweet or romantic love (like Radha for Krishna)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      3.\u00a0Two General Categories of Bhakti Yoga<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      You can interpret bhakti devotion in two different ways.<\/p>\n