Īśvara-praṇidhāna and Bhakti

Abstract

The article "Īśvara-praṇidhāna and Bhakti" by Christopher Key Chapple investigates the concept of īśvara-praṇidhāna (surrender to the Lord) in Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, reframing it within the broader context of bhakti across Indian philosophical traditions. Chapple explores how this principle—one of the five niyamas in Aṣṭāṅga Yoga—serves as a bridge between classical yoga and devotional religiosity. Drawing on sources such as the Bhagavad Gītā and various commentarial traditions, the article argues that īśvara-praṇidhāna is not merely a preparatory or auxiliary practice but a central avenue for spiritual transformation. It facilitates a devotional orientation that coexists with the yogic pursuit of discernment and self-discipline, suggesting a more integrated approach than commonly recognized.