In the Bhagavad-gita Krishna tells Arjuna that bhakti is “joyfully performed”.

Srila Prabhupada supports Krishna’s claim by pointing to some of the main bhakti practices such as singing, dancing, and eating food offered to Krishna, which are all very joyful activities.

Some core elements of bhakti however, such as surrender, humility, and selflessness, do not at first blush seem to be particularly joyful. By looking at the root cause of bhakti’s joyfulness we will discover that even these elements are motivated by and practiced with great joy.