Dangers of Bhakti and Jnana Yoga (Gita)
In Bhakti Yoga the great danger is fanaticism and manipulation (Bhagavad Gita)
Are there any dangers in Bhakti Yoga or Jnana Yoga ?
All the chapters of the Bhagavad Gita begin like this “The Yoga of…” Sri Krishna explained, through Arjuna, to all humanity 18 paths or yogas to unite with Brahman. Four of them make up the so-called “Paths of Yoga”:
There is always talk about the benefits of each of these four main paths. But do they have any kind of danger?
Yes.
In Bhakti Yoga the great danger is fanaticism and manipulation. A devout Bhakta could be drawn into exclusionary (usually religious) fanaticism by manipulating the leaders of a destructive sect with a misinterpretation of the Sastras (scriptures). The only possible defense of Bhakti would be Jnana. Only knowledge would allow him to destroy the ignorance that would lead him to fanaticism.
In verse 11 of Chapter 10, the Yoga of the Universal Form of the Lord of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna:
The human being must seek a balance between these paths. In words of Swami Vivekananda:
What do you think may be the dangers of Jnana Yoga or Karma Yoga?
Peligros Bhakti y Jnana Yoga 
Perigos Bhakti e Jnana-ioga.
Listen to the video of Pedro Nonell with English subtitles
(c) Gita Institute & Pedro Nonell
