Rituals are of major importance in bhakti yoga. Rituals of gauni bhakti (preparatory) are meant to cleansing the mind and developing pure and intense devotion for God. The bhakta must not pray to God for the fulfillment of this selfish, material needs. Bhakta should try earnestly to develop disinterested love for Bhagavan. The bhakti yoga should place bhakta under the guidance of a guru who can transit spirituality to the bhakta. The guru chooses for him the ishta devata (chosen deity) – the form of God most suitable for the devotee.
Corresponding to each divine form, there is a mantra (sound
symbol). The guru imparts to the devotee a suitable mantra that should be repeated
by the devotee every day with devotion. The guru also teaches the devotee how
to worship the ishta devata. Thus, the disciple learns the entire preparatory
course of bhakti yoga from spiritual guide and practices it with devotion from
day to day.
The novice has to worship the ishta devata with unflinching
devotion. It has to be supplemented by certain other practices. Along with the worship
of the chosen deity, the bhakta has to chant the god’s name, listen to or read
bhakti texts, live in holy places specially associated with bhakta’s deity and
always seek the company of spiritually advanced souls. Bhakta should surrender entirely
to Bhagavan.