Merging With Absolute Is Not Bhakti - Prabhupada 0445

721018 - Lecture SB 01.02.07 - Vrndavana

There are so-called bhakti-yoga. They are not bhakti-yoga. Someone is thinking that "By executing bhakti-yoga, I shall become merged into the body of the Supreme." There are many. Superficially, they appear to be bhakti-yogīs, but at heart, they are nirbheda-brahmānusandhana. They clearly say also, śaṅkarera mata caitanyera patha: "When you adopt the process of Caitanya Mahāprabhu—that means chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra—but ultimately we accept the opinion of Śaṅkarācārya."

Śaṅkarācārya means nirbheda-brahmānusandhana, to become one with the Absolute. This is Śaṅkara's philosophy. "When we are liberated, there is no more distinction between the Absolute and myself. I'll be, both of us, we become one, merge." This is the Māyāvāda philosophy. But Caitanya philosophy's different.