By Faye Martins
The Shandilya Bhakti Sutras are comprised of one hundred verses that elucidate the path of divine devotion. This compilation is one of the foremost Hindu scriptural texts describing the various aspects of the Bhakti Yoga path. The great sage Shandilya composed the Shandilya Bhakti Sutras during the time period of the epic Indian Mahabharata War just prior to 300 BCE. The exact origination date of the text is a point of contention among religious scholars and archaeologists. The Narada Bhakti Sutras and the Shandilya Bhakti Sutras are two complimentary Indian scriptures that teach devotees about the various aspects of practicing Bhakti Marga or Bhakti Yoga. These devotional practices ultimately ensconce and merge a devotee’s consciousness into the divine energy that exists in the heart of every human being.
In his Bhakti Sutras, Shandilya speaks about the great power of devotion for one’s teacher or guru and for God. This longing for a taste of divine nectar can be painful at first, if it is left unfulfilled. However, as a Yoga student continues to fan the flames of desire and devotion for his or her chosen deity, the longing itself generates more devotion and helps keep a devotee close to the heart of God. As a Bhakti Yoga practitioner continues to follow this path, this longing turns into great waves of bliss, joy and ecstasy when the vrittis or thought-waves of the mind begin to subside and the Bhakta’s consciousness begins to rest in the essential divinity of the heart. Ultimately, following Shandilya’s and Narada’s advice from their Bhakti Yoga Sutras will lead a devotee to the realization of the divine waves of bliss or ananda that underlie all of reality.
According to Shandilya, Bhakti Yoga is considered to be a transcendental practice that far supersedes the practice of the Yoga of Knowledge or Jnana Yoga. In fact, Bhakti Yoga is considered to be one of the fastest and surest paths back to the divine. In contemporary metaphorical terms, Jnana Yoga is the equivalent of travelling a country road and practicing Bhakti Yoga is equal to travelling on an interstate. In Shandilya’s terms, Jnana Yoga is equal in value to the loose skin hanging from a goat’s neck. Not much, indeed! Some Yoga studios are actively incorporating Bhakti Yoga practices into their classes. Chanting sacred mantras and singing the divine names at the beginning or end of a Yoga class helps to root the Yoga students’ awareness into the divine underpinnings of their Yoga asana practice.
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By Sarah Labdar
By Clyde Granger
By Jason Rickard 
Yoga is actually a traditional therapy, which is developed purely based on the observations and principles regarding the constitution of human beings. Yoga is not only an exercise instruction but also a complete package for the total well being. The science of yoga includes yoga postures called as asanas, meditation and breathing techniques called pranayama. The benefits vary with type of yoga as it is advocated in different combinations such as Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and Laya Yoga. However, irrespective of its type, the benefits of yoga in the stress management have been substantiated by modern medicine. The multifaceted benefits of yoga promote it more than a simple exercise.
The physiological benefits of yoga include the enhancement of all major functional systems of the body such as nervous system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system and excretory system. It will help to improve the co-ordination and balance the body. The biochemical benefits of yoga such as decrease of LDL cholesterol, glucose and catecholamine will help to prevent all the major fatal diseases and triggers the resilience of the body. Moreover yoga balances the weight of the person without losing its strength through the different stretching asanas.
Yoga is a therapy which provides benefits of a balanced body through the practice of effortless dynamic movements or normalized static movement. The opportunity for the attainment of well being without any strenuous exercise or consumption of any supplements can be considered as the most important benefit of yoga.