How to Practice Devotion to Krishna

Lord Krishna takes center stage in the Hindu classic sacred text, The Bhagavad Gita. Krishna is the Lord of the Universe, and reveals his true self to the warrior, Arjuna. He reveals to Arjuna that the simplest and fastest path (yoga) to God is Bhakti Yoga, or divine love.

Instructions

Devotion to Krishna

1




Practice the higher form of Bhakti. The lower form of Bhakti is to worship God in the hope of receiving something in return. Krishna teaches that the highest form of devotion to God is Parabhakti, or supreme love. Bring God your heart and your love, and you are on the highest path to God.

2




Perform puja (ritual worship) to Krishna. Use a sacred image of Krishna. Some general practices apply: bathing the image; offering favorable items such as water, flowers, and perfume; and offering prasadam (food).

3




Perform the arti ceremony, a ritual greeting to gurus and other holy people. Several times a day, the worshipper offers a variety of auspicious items before an image of Krishna. The ceremony is accompanied by bhajan or kirtan (singing), during which the attendees stand.

4




Worship in your home. Create a shrine with the image of Krishna. Offer all of your food to Krishna. The presence of the deity in the home makes it a sacred space. Many worshippers will avoid unclean habits, such as drinking alcohol. Members of the house remove their shoes at the door. It is customary to bathe daily before worship.

5




Chant Hare Krishna. Chanting the name of the Lord Krishna spiritualizes any offerings, and is a form of pure devotion.

6




Perform dharma, or religious duties. Sanatana-dharma refers to specific spiritual issues. Varnashrama-dharma denotes the individual's duties at different stages of life. Sadharana-dharma usually deals with what is recommended and what is prohibited in the religion.