Sri Bhajana-rahasya was compiled by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura. With this book, the great teacher gives us a hint of his own method of bhajana, a guide for his sincere followers. The undersigned Akincana, a few years ago, carefully observed him reciting the slokas contained in this text and at the same time enjoying the overwhelming ecstasy of God’s love.
The realm of Bhakti offers the arcana to those who are nistha at the level of kanistha. It is sometimes difficult for many to understand the difference between arcana and bhajana. That is why the word arcana is misunderstood as bhajana. The performance of navadha-bhakti (nine ways to connect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead) is the basis of bhajana. The arcana is included in navadha-bhakti and is therefore admitted as a part of bhajana. It can be concluded, therefore, that being the arcana part of the bhajana, it cannot be equivalent to the whole.
One is bound by a mixed feeling of reverence, fear and submission when worshiping the Supreme Lord through the arcana. Serving the Supreme Lord in a feeling of fear or submission with the use of various articles for worship is called arcana. By serving instead on the platform of fraternity, the intensity of the rays of service, in fear and submission, is attenuated. No one can refuse the refreshing moonlight, the sweetness of this pure love. A summary of the arcana paddhati (rules of the arcana) has been included as an appendix to this work…
Table of Contents
Table of Contents …………………………………………….5
Preface …………………………………………………………..7
Introduction…………………………………………………..11
1. Prathama-yama Sadhana………………………………19
Bhajana at the end of the night ………………………………..19
2. Dvitiya-yama Sadhana…………………………………41
Bhajana in the morning ………………………………………….41
3. Trtiya-yama Sadhana…………………………………..69
Bhajana before noon ……………………………………………..69
4. Caturtha-yama Sadhana ……………………………….79
Midday Bhajana …………………………………………………..79
5. Pancama-yama Sadhana ………………………………91
Bhajana in the afternoon ………………………………………..91
6. Sastha-yama Sadhana ………………………………..103
Bhajana during the evening …………………………………..103
7. Saptama-yama Sadhana ……………………………..119
Bhajana during the late evening …………………………….119
8. Astama-yama Sadhana……………………………….133
Night Pastimes ………………………………………………….. 133
Samksepa-arcana-paddhati …………………………….149
