The Therapeutic Essence of Navadha Bhakti: A Synthesized Study

Abstract

Bhakti Yoga, a rooted in the Indian wisdom and spiritual tradition, aims to achieve salvation, the ultimate goal of man, through an innate love for God. Navadha Bhakti (the nine paths of devotion) is a focused means of spiritual and emotional transformation as a practical method of Bhakti Yoga. It includes practices such as Shravanam (listening), Kirtanam (chanting), and Atmanivedanam (self-surrender), which are recommended in several scriptures, such as the Ramacharitamanas and Bhagavad Purana. This study demonstrates the therapeutic effects of Navadha Bhakti in a holistic framework based on psycho-physio-behavioral feedback mechanisms. This study explores how each process involved in Navadha Bhakti interacts with physiological responses (like-vagus tone, hormone regulation), psychological behavior (like-emotional regulation, cognitive clarity), and behavioral responses (like-empathy, humility), creating an interconnected loop of healing and balance, and shows that Bhakti practices can balance the autonomic nervous system, increase emotional resilience, and positively alter social behavior. This paper establishes that Navadha Bhakti, when viewed as a therapeutic model, provides an accessible, inclusive and culturally rich tool for managing physical, psychological health along with behavioral balance and achieving spiritual wellness through holistic self-regulation.

Keywords: Bhakti Yoga, Navadha Bhakti, Integrated Feedback Mechanism, Physiological Impact, Psychological Impact, Behavioral Changes.