________________
70
BHAKTI-YOGA.
and worshipping a Pratika is worshipping some thing which, as a substitute, is in some one or more respects, like the Brahman, but is not the Brahman. Along with the Pratikas mentioned in the Srutis there are various others to be found in the Puranas and the Tantras. In this “Pratika-worship” may be included all the various forms of ancestor-(Pitri) worship and the worship of angels and higher beings (Deva lit. a shining or radiant being).
Now worshipping Isvara and Him alone is bhakti ; the worship of anything else, such as Deva or Pitri, or any other being cannot be called bhakti. The various kinds of worship of the various Devas, are all to be included in ritualistic Karma, which gives to the worshipper a particular result only, in the form of some celestial enjoyment, but can neither give rise to bhakti or intense devotion to God nor lead to mukti or freedom from all bondages. One thing, therefore, will have to be carefully borne in mind.
