On the spiritual path, we often begin with sincerity, hope, and a quiet longing for something more. We may come to Bhakti Yoga through chanting, prayer, sacred music, philosophy, community, or the simple feeling that the heart was made for love of God.
Yet as we walk forward, we may also discover things within ourselves that feel discouraging—anger, envy, pride, doubt, selfish desire, distraction, or old habits that do not easily leave. In the language of Bhakti Yoga, these inner obstacles are called anarthas.
The Sanskrit word anartha means “unwanted thing” or “that which has no true value.” Anarthas are not our deepest identity. They are not the soul. They are coverings of the heart—patterns, attachments, fears, and misconceptions that block our natural love for God and others.
In Bhakti, we do not approach these obstacles with shame or harshness. We approach them with honesty, humility, and faith. Just as dust on a mirror does not destroy the mirror, anarthas do not destroy the soul’s beauty. They simply need to be cleansed through loving spiritual practice.
The great gift of Bhakti Yoga is that the cleansing process is personal and merciful. We do not have to become perfect before we approach God. We approach God, and by that loving connection, the heart gradually becomes purified.
What Are Anarthas in Bhakti Yoga?
Anarthas are the inner tendencies that keep us from living in our true spiritual nature. They can appear in our thoughts, words, choices, relationships, and even in our spiritual practice.
In the Bhakti tradition, our true self is understood as the atma, the eternal soul. The soul is naturally joyful, conscious, and loving. But due to long association with material conditioning—temporary desires, ego identities, and forgetfulness of God—the heart becomes covered.
Anartha Means “Unwanted”
The word itself is very kind and practical. It does not mean “you are bad.” It means, “Something unwanted is present.”
This distinction is important.
In spiritual life, we learn to say, “This anger is not my true self. This envy is not my true self. This pride is not my true self. These are unwanted coverings, and by God’s grace, they can be transformed.”
This people-first understanding helps us grow without becoming discouraged. We are not the problem. The problem is the forgetfulness and conditioning that cover our original loving nature.
Anarthas Are Obstacles to Love
Bhakti Yoga is the path of loving devotion to the Supreme Person, known by many names, including Krishna, Rama, Vishnu, Govinda, and Hari. People from different backgrounds may use different names for God, and Bhakti welcomes sincere seekers wherever they are.
The essence of Bhakti is love—hearing about God, chanting God’s names, offering prayer, serving others, and remembering the Divine with affection.
Anarthas block this flow of love. They make the heart restless, proud, judgmental, distracted, or self-centered. They can make chanting feel mechanical, service feel burdensome, and relationships feel competitive.
But when we recognize them with humility, they become an opportunity. Every obstacle can become a doorway to deeper surrender.
Common Types of Anarthas
The scriptures and saints of the Bhakti tradition describe many kinds of anarthas. Some are obvious, while others are subtle. Some we bring with us from before spiritual practice, and some may arise even while practicing, especially if ego mixes with devotion.
Lust, Anger, and Greed
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna explains that desire, anger, and greed can degrade the consciousness when they are disconnected from the soul’s purpose. In Bhagavad-gita 3.37, Krishna identifies selfish desire as a powerful force that covers wisdom.
Lust means the tendency to use others or the world for our own pleasure, rather than seeing everything in relation to God.
Anger often comes when our desires are blocked. We wanted life to go a certain way, someone did not behave as we hoped, or our ego felt threatened.
Greed is the feeling that we never have enough—enough possessions, recognition, comfort, followers, success, or control.
In Bhakti, these forces are not simply suppressed. They are purified. Desire becomes desire to serve. Anger becomes determination to protect what is sacred. Greed becomes eagerness for chanting, hearing, and loving remembrance of God.
Pride and False Ego
The Sanskrit term ahankara means false ego—the mistaken idea that “I am the controller,” “I am the enjoyer,” or “I am separate from God.”
Pride can show up in many ways. Sometimes it appears as superiority: “I know more. I am more spiritual. I serve better.” Sometimes it appears as insecurity: “I am worthless. No one sees me. I must prove myself.” Both are forms of self-absorption.
Bhakti gently teaches us a new identity: “I am a beloved servant of God.” This is not a low or negative identity. It is deeply freeing. To serve God with love is the soul’s natural joy.
Envy and Comparison
Envy is pain at another person’s happiness, success, beauty, service, or spiritual growth. It makes the heart tight. It turns community into competition and service into performance.
In Bhakti communities, envy can be especially subtle. We may compare our chanting, knowledge, service, purity, or closeness to teachers and friends. We may feel overlooked or resentful.
But the heart becomes peaceful when we remember that Krishna is unlimited. God’s love for one soul does not reduce His love for another. Another person’s blessing is not our loss. In fact, we can learn to celebrate others as part of our own devotion.
Doubt and Spiritual Discouragement
Doubt can be healthy when it leads to sincere inquiry. The Bhagavad-gita encourages thoughtful questions. Arjuna asked Krishna deep questions, and Krishna responded with compassion.
But doubt becomes an anartha when it makes us cynical, passive, or disconnected from practice. We may think, “Nothing is changing. My chanting is useless. I am too fallen. God does not hear me.”
These thoughts can be very painful. Bhakti reminds us that purification is often gradual. A seed grows underground before we see the plant. In the same way, the holy name, prayer, and service work within the heart even when we cannot immediately measure the result.
Offenses in Spiritual Practice
In Bhakti, one important category of anarthas is called aparadha, or offenses. This means attitudes or actions that block the full effect of spiritual practice.
A key teaching is to avoid criticizing sincere devotees and spiritual seekers. This does not mean ignoring harm or avoiding accountability. Bhakti is not sentimental blindness. Rather, it means we should be careful not to cultivate a fault-finding heart.
The Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita and other Bhakti texts emphasize humility, respect, and compassion as essential qualities for chanting God’s names. When the heart becomes softer, chanting becomes deeper.
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How Anarthas Develop
Understanding where anarthas come from helps us face them with patience. We begin to see that spiritual growth is not about self-hatred. It is about healing and reorientation.
Conditioning From Past Habits
The Sanskrit word samskara refers to impressions left on the mind and heart by past actions, experiences, and habits. Every repeated thought or action leaves a kind of groove.
If we have practiced anger for many years, anger may arise quickly. If we have practiced comparison, the mind may automatically compare. If we have practiced distraction, stillness may feel difficult.
This does not mean change is impossible. It means change requires spiritual repetition. Just as material habits are formed by repeated contact, spiritual habits are formed by repeated loving connection with God.
Association Shapes the Heart
Bhakti scriptures often speak about sanga, or association. We become influenced by the people, media, ideas, and environments we spend time with.
If we regularly associate with cynicism, gossip, greed, or sensual agitation, the heart absorbs those vibrations. If we associate with devotion, kindness, chanting, sacred wisdom, and service, the heart becomes uplifted.
This is one reason spiritual community matters. A loving community does not make us perfect overnight, but it gives us encouragement, accountability, and reminders of our highest self.
Misusing Spiritual Practice
Sometimes anarthas arise not because we are away from spiritual life, but because we misuse spiritual life.
We may use knowledge to feel superior. We may use service to gain recognition. We may use religious identity to separate ourselves from others. We may use discipline to judge people who are struggling.
These are painful but common challenges. The medicine is humility. True Bhakti is not about becoming impressive. It is about becoming sincere.
The Stages of Spiritual Cleansing
The path of Bhakti has been carefully described by great teachers, especially Srila Rupa Goswami in the Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, a foundational text on devotional life.
He describes a natural progression of devotion, beginning with faith and moving toward pure love of God. One important stage is called anartha-nivritti.
Sraddha: A Seed of Faith
Sraddha means faith—not blind belief, but a soft trust that spiritual life is meaningful and worth exploring.
This faith may begin very simply: hearing a kirtan and feeling peace, reading the Bhagavad-gita and feeling drawn, meeting a devotee whose kindness touches us, or praying in a difficult moment and sensing God’s presence.
Faith is like a seed. It needs water, light, and protection.
Sadhu-sanga: Keeping Holy Company
Sadhu-sanga means association with sincere spiritual people. A sadhu is someone who is trying to live in truth, compassion, and devotion.
We may find sadhu-sanga through a temple, sangha, online classes, devotional music, scripture study, or friendships centered on spiritual growth.
Good association does not pressure us to pretend. It helps us become honest and hopeful. In the company of sincere practitioners, we learn that everyone is being purified. Everyone is dependent on grace.
Bhajana-kriya: Beginning Devotional Practice
Bhajana-kriya means taking up regular spiritual practices. In Bhakti Yoga, these may include:
- Chanting the holy names of God
- Hearing and studying sacred texts
- Offering food with love
- Praying daily
- Serving others
- Worshiping at home or in community
- Remembering God throughout the day
These practices invite divine presence into ordinary life. We begin to see the kitchen, workplace, family, and community as places for devotion.
Anartha-nivritti: The Clearing of the Heart
Anartha-nivritti means the reduction or removal of unwanted things from the heart.
This stage can feel both encouraging and difficult. Encouraging, because we begin to notice real transformation. Difficult, because we also notice impurities we did not see before.
It is like cleaning a room. At first, the room may seem fine. But when sunlight comes in, dust becomes visible. The dust was already there. The light simply revealed it so it could be cleaned.
In the same way, chanting and spiritual practice reveal our inner obstacles, not to shame us, but to heal us.
How Chanting Cleanses the Heart
One of the central practices of Bhakti Yoga is chanting the holy names of God. This may be done softly on beads, in call-and-response singing called kirtan, or through simple prayerful repetition.
The Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a great teacher of divine love, taught:
ceto-darpana-marjanam
“The chanting of the holy name cleanses the mirror of the heart.”
This beautiful phrase helps us understand anarthas deeply. The heart is like a mirror. When covered by dust, it cannot reflect clearly. When cleansed, it reflects our true self and our relationship with God.
The Holy Name Is Personal
In Bhakti, God’s names are not ordinary sound. The name of God carries divine presence. When we chant sincerely, we are not merely making sound—we are calling out to the Beloved.
The Maha-mantra is especially treasured in many Bhakti traditions:
**Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare**
A simple meaning is: “O Divine Energy of God, O all-attractive Lord, O source of joy, please engage me in Your loving service.”
Anyone can chant. One does not need to be born in a particular culture, know Sanskrit perfectly, or have a flawless life. The main qualification is sincerity.
Chanting With Patience
Sometimes we chant and feel peaceful. Sometimes we chant and feel distracted. Sometimes the mind wanders endlessly.
This does not mean chanting has failed. The mind has been wandering for a long time. Bringing it back is part of the practice.
A humble prayer before chanting can help:
“Dear Lord, I do not know how to chant purely. My mind is restless, and my heart is full of distractions. Please let me hear Your name. Please help me remember You.”
This kind of prayer invites grace.
From Mechanical Practice to Relationship
At first, chanting may feel like a discipline. Over time, it becomes a relationship.
We begin to sense that God is listening. We begin to bring our real heart—gratitude, fear, confusion, longing, and hope. The holy name becomes a shelter.
As the relationship deepens, anarthas lose strength. The heart becomes attracted to something higher. Lower habits fall away more naturally when the soul tastes spiritual nourishment.
Practical Ways to Work With Anarthas
Bhakti Yoga is deeply practical. It does not ask us to become detached from life in an artificial way. It teaches us how to bring life into relationship with God.
Notice Without Despair
The first step is awareness. When an anartha appears, try to notice it gently.
“I am feeling envious.”
“I am becoming defensive.”
“I want recognition.”
“I am avoiding prayer.”
“I am judging someone harshly.”
This simple honesty is powerful. We are no longer fully controlled by the pattern when we can observe it.
But awareness must be paired with mercy. Do not turn self-observation into self-condemnation. The purpose is purification, not punishment.
Bring the Obstacle Into Prayer
Instead of hiding our anarthas from God, we can bring them directly into prayer.
“Lord, I feel angry. Please help me respond with wisdom.”
“Krishna, I am jealous. Please bless this person, and please cleanse my heart.”
“God, I want to serve, but I also want praise. Please make my service sincere.”
“Please help me want what brings me closer to You.”
This is real devotion. God is not surprised by our struggles. The Lord is the indwelling witness, known in the Bhagavad-gita as Paramatma, the Supersoul in the heart. He already knows us completely and still lovingly guides us.
Replace, Don’t Only Resist
If we only resist negative habits, we may become tense or discouraged. Bhakti teaches replacement.
Replace criticism with appreciation.
Replace gossip with chanting or meaningful conversation.
Replace greed with generosity.
Replace pride with gratitude.
Replace distraction with sacred sound.
Replace selfishness with service.
The heart needs engagement. When it is engaged in loving service, anarthas have less room to grow.
Keep a Simple Daily Practice
A steady practice is more powerful than occasional intensity. Even a small daily offering can transform the heart over time.
You might begin with:
- Chanting one round of mantra meditation
- Reading a few verses of Bhagavad-gita
- Offering your food with gratitude
- Saying a morning prayer
- Serving someone without expecting anything back
- Attending kirtan or satsang weekly
The key is sincerity and consistency.
Anarthas in Relationships and Community
Many of our anarthas become visible through relationships. This is why community can be both beautiful and challenging.
Spiritual community is not a place where everyone has already transcended ego. It is a place where people are learning to serve, forgive, listen, and grow together.
Seeing Others With Compassion
When we see someone else struggling, we can remember our own struggles. This does not mean we excuse harmful behavior. Healthy boundaries and accountability are important.
But internally, we can pray for compassion: “Just as I am trying to overcome my conditioning, this person is also on a journey.”
This softens the heart. It protects us from becoming proud or cruel in the name of spirituality.
Apologizing and Forgiving
Anarthas often cause pain. We may speak harshly, act selfishly, or misunderstand someone.
In Bhakti, saying “I am sorry” is not a weakness. It is a sacred act of humility. Forgiveness, too, is sacred—but it may take time, and it does not always mean restoring the same level of closeness.
We can pray for the strength to make amends where possible and release bitterness where appropriate.
Serving Without Possessiveness
Service is central to Bhakti Yoga. The Sanskrit word seva means loving service offered for God’s pleasure.
But even service can become mixed with ego. We may think, “This is my role, my project, my recognition, my way.”
A helpful prayer is: “This service belongs to You. Please let me be an instrument.”
When service becomes an offering instead of a possession, it purifies the heart deeply.
The Role of Scripture in Understanding Anarthas
Sacred texts give us language, direction, and hope. They help us see our struggles in a larger spiritual context.
Bhagavad-gita: A Manual for Inner Battle
The Bhagavad-gita takes place on a battlefield, but its teachings also apply to the inner battlefield of the heart. Arjuna represents the sincere soul facing confusion, duty, fear, and moral struggle. Krishna guides him with wisdom and love.
In Bhagavad-gita 6.5, Krishna says that one should uplift oneself by the mind and not degrade oneself. The mind can be a friend or an enemy.
This is very practical. Anarthas often operate through the mind. Bhakti does not tell us to hate the mind, but to train it gently by bringing it back to remembrance of God.
Srimad-Bhagavatam: Hearing as Purification
The Srimad-Bhagavatam, a beloved Bhakti scripture, teaches that hearing about God cleanses the heart. In Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.17, it is described that Krishna, situated in the heart, cleanses the desire for material enjoyment from those who hear His messages with devotion.
This is a beautiful promise. We are not cleansing the heart alone. God within the heart helps us.
When we hear sacred stories, teachings, and names with sincerity, they enter the heart like nourishing rain. Gradually, the weeds of unwanted desire become weaker, and the seed of devotion grows stronger.
The Teachings of Sri Chaitanya: Humility in Chanting
Sri Chaitanya taught that one should chant the holy name with humility, tolerance, and respect for others. A famous verse says one should be humbler than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, and ready to offer respect to all.
This is not a call to low self-worth. It is a call to spiritual maturity. Humility means we are no longer trying to occupy the center. We allow God to be the center, and from that place, we can honor everyone.
Signs That Anarthas Are Being Reduced
Sometimes we wonder, “Am I making any progress?” Spiritual growth is not always dramatic. Often, it is quiet and gradual.
Here are some signs that anarthas are being reduced.
More Honesty
We become less interested in pretending. We can admit our struggles without collapsing into shame.
More Taste for Devotion
Chanting, prayer, scripture, and service begin to feel more meaningful. Even if the mind is not always steady, the heart values spiritual connection.
Less Reactivity
We may still feel anger or fear, but we do not act on it as quickly. A little space appears between the emotion and the response.
More Compassion
We become less harsh toward others. We see people as souls, not as obstacles to our plans.
More Dependence on Grace
We realize that we cannot purify the heart by ego alone. We need mercy, guidance, community, and the holy name.
This dependence is not weakness. It is the beginning of real strength.
When the Path Feels Difficult
It is normal to feel discouraged at times. Anarthas may seem stubborn. Old habits may return. The heart may feel dry.
Please do not give up.
In Bhakti, progress is not measured only by external perfection. A sincere struggle to turn toward God is precious. Every prayer matters. Every mantra matters. Every act of service matters. Every time we begin again, grace is present.
Avoid All-or-Nothing Thinking
The mind may say, “If I cannot do everything perfectly, why do anything at all?” This is an anartha too.
Instead, take the next sincere step. Chant one mantra. Read one verse. Offer one prayer. Make one kind choice. Reach out to one uplifting person.
Small steps, taken consistently, become a path.
Let Yourself Be Helped
We are not meant to walk alone. Seek guidance from trustworthy teachers, mature practitioners, and compassionate community. If emotional wounds or mental health struggles are intense, it can also be wise to seek support from qualified professionals. Spiritual practice and responsible care can work together.
Humility includes accepting help.
Remember God’s Kindness
The Lord is not waiting for us to fail. God is inviting us closer.
Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita 9.26 that if someone offers Him a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water with devotion, He accepts it. The emphasis is not on wealth, status, or perfection. The emphasis is love.
This means we can begin now, with what we have, from where we are.
Living Beyond Anarthas: The Positive Vision
The goal of Bhakti Yoga is not merely to become free from obstacles. Freedom from anarthas is part of the journey, but the destination is much more beautiful: awakened love of God.
When the heart becomes purified, devotion becomes natural. We begin to see God’s presence in daily life. We feel gratitude more easily. We serve with joy. We chant with longing. We honor others as beloved children of the Divine.
Purification Leads to Love
Anarthas are removed not so we can become empty, but so the heart can be filled with love.
A cleansed heart becomes a home for remembrance, compassion, and devotion. It becomes easier to forgive, easier to pray, easier to serve, and easier to trust.
Bhakti Is for Everyone
Bhakti Yoga is not limited by background, nationality, age, gender, education, or previous life choices. The soul’s relationship with God is eternal.
Whether you are new to spiritual practice, returning after a long time, exploring from another faith tradition, or already walking the path of devotion, you are welcome.
The language may be Sanskrit, but the heart of the path is universal: love God, chant God’s names, serve with humility, and grow in compassion.
One Sincere Step
If you feel inspired, you might take one simple step today.
Chant the Maha-mantra once with attention.
Offer your meal with gratitude.
Read a verse of Bhagavad-gita.
Say a prayer in your own words.
Forgive someone inwardly.
Serve someone quietly.
Ask God to guide your heart.
Anarthas may be real, but they are not stronger than divine grace. The holy name is stronger. Love is stronger. God’s mercy is stronger.
Wherever you are on the path, you are warmly welcome. Take one sincere step toward God, and trust that God is already taking many steps toward you.
FAQs
What are anarthas?
Anarthas are unwanted or undesirable elements within the mind and heart that hinder spiritual progress. They are considered obstacles on the path of self-realization in various spiritual traditions, including Hinduism and Buddhism.
What are some examples of anarthas?
Examples of anarthas include lust, anger, greed, envy, illusion, and pride. These negative qualities are believed to cloud the mind and prevent individuals from experiencing true happiness and spiritual growth.
How are anarthas addressed in spiritual practice?
In spiritual practice, anarthas are addressed through various methods such as meditation, self-reflection, and the cultivation of positive virtues like compassion, humility, and self-discipline. Additionally, seeking guidance from spiritual teachers and engaging in acts of service are also considered effective in overcoming anarthas.
What is the significance of overcoming anarthas?
Overcoming anarthas is significant as it leads to inner peace, clarity of mind, and a deeper connection with one’s spiritual nature. By transcending these negative qualities, individuals can experience a greater sense of fulfillment and harmony in their lives.
Can anarthas be completely eradicated?
While anarthas may not be completely eradicated, they can be gradually diminished through consistent spiritual practice and self-awareness. The goal is to minimize the influence of anarthas and cultivate positive qualities that lead to personal and spiritual growth.
