Vaishnava bhakti is directed towards Lord Vishnu and his manifestations including the Avatars, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. Bhakti in the Integral Yoga is directed towards the Divine Mother in her present incarnation as the Supramental Mahashakti and Sri Aurobindo.
Vaishnav bhakti involves the study of Vaishnav scriptures such as the Bhagwat and Vishnu puranas, the Ramayana, singing and chanting the various names of Lord Vishnu and his Avatars, visiting of holy places associated with them, and certain outer rituals, bahya puja. The Integral Yoga bhakti involves the study of Sri Aurobindo’s and the Mother’s works, especially Savitri, Prayers and Meditations, inwardly taking the Mother’s and Sri Aurobindo’s Names, coming to Pondicherry from time to time to receive the touch, doing whatever work is given as part of the Karmayoga, going within to discover the Divine Mother’s Presence, forming a manifold relations with the Divine Mother. There is no collective singing, dancing etc as barring few exceptions they attract vital forces that often upset the aadhar.
The bhakti in Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga is more inwards, such as concentrating upon the Mother, opening to Her through love and service, and above all giving oneself entirely to Her and Her Work without demand, reservation or conditions. The vital elements of bhakti such as viraha, milana etc treating the Divine as one would to a human are not practiced in the Integral Yoga. It is also important to remember that Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga is not a Yoga of bhakti alone. It includes as a core element Karmayoga in and through every activity and gyana Yoga elements which brings not only God knowledge but also world knowledge as part of the Yoga itself.
Most importantly, while the goal of Vaishnav bhakti is salokya and samipya mukti, a permanent dwelling with the Deity in his world, the Integral Yoga includes sadharmya and sadrsya mukti as well, a moulding or transformation of the entire human nature into the Divine Supernature and a growing in the likeness of the Divine. The goal of Vaishnav bhakti is otherworldly and individual’s liberation. The goal of the Integral Yoga is transformation of worldly life through a further spiritual evolution of humanity into a new species, a divine superhumanity.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
