The Yoga of Spiritual Devotion: A Modern Translation of the Narada Bhakti Sutras

Excerpts & Samples

By Prem Prakash

Publisher : Inner Traditions/Bear & Company

ABOUT Prem Prakash

Prem Prakash
Prem Prakash has been a practicing yogi since 1979 and in 1990 received permission from Baba Hari Dass to teach traditional Ashtanga Yoga. He is the director of the Green Mountain School of Yoga.

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Description

• The first translation of this great but little-known path of spiritual devotion written for the modern Western audience.


• An insightful commentary aimed at making the path of love immediately accessible to Westerners. 


• A life-affirming and relationship-positive path of yoga.


• Written in the spirit of the kirtans (ecstatic songs and dances) of Narada, sensitively translated by Prem Prakash.


Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion, is considered one of the primary paths for spiritual realization in yogic tradition. Its author, Narada, is the embodiment of the enlightened sage who travels the universe spreading his sacred teachings. Unlike Jnana Yoga, the Yoga of Wisdom, the bhakti acolyte does not discriminate against material phenomena--for him, all phenomena are aspects of God. Within the context of Ananda, blissful love, the temporal is realized as the reflection of the eternal, and the soul is realized as the expression of God.

"Bhakti-Yoga, the Yoga of Devotion and Love, is little known and little appreciated in the West. Yet it is one of India's great spiritual legacies. Prem Prakash's book offers a sensitive introduction to the devotional path by a Western practitioner. He makes the ancient Bhakti Sutras of Narada come alive for all of us who wish to cultivate the beauty and power of the heart. Narada's aphorisms should be studied with the same earnestness as the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita. I can highly recommend the present book and hope it will widely influence the Western Yoga movement."

Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., author of Lucid Waking, The Philosophy of Classical Yoga, and The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga



"For Narada, spiritual devotion is its own fruit and the emphasis is upon God pouring grace into the self-emptied ego. Aspirants are wise when they seek the guidance of 'great souls' who have experienced ananda (bliss or divine love). They can learn much from these 'surfers on the waves of God's love' as Prakash calls them. The yoga of spiritual devotion eventually leads to peace and joy - the signs of a radiant heart."

Frederic A. Brussat, Values & Visions Circles Newsletter



"Because of the telegraphic style of the sutra-text, it's difficult to understand the teaching fully without adequate guidance, either by a trained teacher or a commentary. Here, the commentary (and translation) is by Prem Prakash, and he does an excellent job. But most appealing is they way Prem has realized bhakti and the "easy path," inviting everyone to take at least a few steps along the way. This is an important book that should be in the hands of every serious student."

Richard Rosen, Yoga Journal



"Prakash's sensitive translation and insightful commentary are clear and inspiring; they open the door for Westerners to understand the Bhatki Sutras on both an intellectual and emotional level."

Yoga International , 1998



"This is a fine translation with extensive notes and commentary, while still being practical as well as academic." 
Mark Stavish, Director of Studies, Institute of Hermetic Studies, Feb 2009