Friends you all know that people who believe in God will be worshiping God in one or the other way. Some people like to do shodasha pooja, some like doing Japa, some like meditating on God, some like singing bhajans……So how many types of bhakti are there? Which one suits you more? how to practice them? want to know?
First, we will try to know how many types of Bhakti (meaning devotion) are there. To understand this we will consider a Sloka from Shrimad Bhagavat Puranam.
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Shravanam Kirtanam Vishnoh Smaranam Paadasevanam
Archanam Vandanam Daasyam Sakhyam Aatmanivedanam
The above sloka is told by Prahalada, one of the greatest devotee for whose protection Lord Vishnu came in Narasimha Avatar. As per the above sloka there 9 types of Bhakti marga
So now we will try to understand the concept of navavidha bhakti in detail so that you can choose one or more from them and by practicing them you can move close to God.
1. Shravanam – Hearing the names and glories of the Lord
Shravanam generally means hearing about Leelas or the greatness of God with great interest. So if you are a person with great interest in Ramayan, Mahabharat, Puranas, etc then this is the best way for you. The easy way for Shravanam is Satsang (getting good devotee as a friend). Because if you are with a person who is a great devotee, you can listen only about God, as the devotee can only talk about the glory of God. So by listening to him you are doing Shravanam.
Nowadays you can get pravachans about Ramayan, Mahabharat, Puranas, etc very easily online or on television as well. So instead of wasting your time by watching serial/movies you can watch/listen to them so that you can move close to God. If you like reading then you can buy Ramayan, Mahabharat, Puranas, etc and you can study by yourself.Generally, when you listen/read about God automatically you think about god forgetting everything else which is a form of Bhagavat Dhyana. A perfect example of shravana Bhakthi is Pariksh*t Maharaj (Abimanyu son & Grandson of Pandavas)
2. Keertanam – Chanting the glories of God
Keertanam is considered the best way of coming close to God in Kaliyuga. Keerthanam in an easy way means saying the bhagawan’s name again and again. Like saying Rama Rama Rama or Krishna Krishna Krishna or Shambho Shankara Shambho Shankara Shambo Shankara etc. It is considered an easy way because you can do this any time. For example, when you are traveling on Bus or Train you can keep saying the Lord’s name, or even when you are doing some work like cleaning your room you can keep saying lord’s name. You can also choose a Bhajan and keep singing it. It is also considered Keertanam.
Most people have a habit of singing filmy songs so if you can replace them with Bhajan then you are doing Keertanam which will help you to move close to God. A perfect example for Keertana Bhakti is Narada Muni (Maharshi), who always keep saying Narayana Narayana Narayana.
3. Smaranam – Remebering the Lord
Smaranam is the constant remembrance of the Lord. We can consider Smaranam as the advanced stage of Shravanam and Keertanam. For example, think that you have listened about Lord Srirama for about 30 min or 1 hour or if you have done a bhajan of Lord Krishna. So after that, if you keep remembering the things which you have heard about Lord Sriraman or Lord Shrikrishna then it is called Smaranam. Doing Japa, a meditation on God …will come under Smaranam. A perfect example of Smarana Bhakthi is Bhakta Prahalad.
4. Padasevanam – Serving the Lord’s Feet
Padasevanam is the worship of the lord by concentrating upon his feet. If we are approaching the feet of anyone then it represents that we are keeping our attitude aside and asking them to take care of us. By doing pada pooja you are saying to God that you are keeping your life at his feet. In the temple, you might have seen or experienced that priest will keep Shatagopam on the devotee’s head. If you observe shatagopam will have God Paduka on it. So by offering our head under shatagopam we are saying Lord that we are at your feet. Matha Laxmi is the best example for Padasevana Bhakti.
5. Archanam – Worshiping the Lord
Archanam or deity worship combines an external ritual with internal meditation. Archana can be done by offering flowers, fruits, leaves, food, or even water to the lord. It is a common thing in almost all families so I think there is no need to introduce it again. Generally, you can do Shodashopachra pooja, Sahasranama pooja, Ashtottara pooja, etc. But keep in mind that Bavana (your belief) is the most important thing in this. For example, while giving arathi think that you are giving it to Lord himself then it will take you close to God. But if you do it as physical work without bavana then it’s a waste.
6. Vandanam – Offering obeisance unto the Lord
Vandanam is a form of Bhakti where you will recognize that all the things you have, are given by God and you express your gratitude to God. For example, you got good food to eat, so before eating you say thanks to God. so in this way, if we observe everything we have, is given by God. So Vandana Bhakti means saying thanks to God for all the things he has given and it doesn’t mean saying thanks once and forgetting him. You should be grateful to him at every point of Time. The best example for Vandana Bhakti is Akrura..(devote of Lord Krishna)
7. Daasyam – Serving the Lord as his Servant
In Daasya bhakti you consider Lord as your Swami, father, mother, and everything to you. You consider yourself as his Son /Servant. So what all you do, you will do for the happiness of your Swami. So what makes your swami happy?
It’s simple if you follow dharma then it’s the first step to make him Happy. In this Kind of Bhakti since you consider yourself a servant you don’t take credit for the good things you have done and you will not do bad as your swami will not like it. This kind of activity will bring you close to God which can lead to Moksha. The perfect example of Daasya Bhakti is Lord hanuman.
8. Sakhyam – Developing friendship with God
In sakhya bhakti, you consider God as your friend. So in this form of bhakti, you will share all your happiness, sorrows, and every moment of your life with God. You always feel that he is with you in every point of your life. The best example of sakhya bhakti is Arjun
9. Aatma Nivedanam – Total surrender of oneself to the Lord
In Aatma Nivedanam you should offer everything to God including your body, mind, and soul. you should not have any personal and independent existence. You should leave all your karmas, dharmas and offer yourself to God. In Bhagavat Geetha Lord Shri Krishna says
” Sarva Darmaan Pari Tyajya Maamekam Sharanam Vraja….”
which means leave all your karmas & dharmas and surrender to me totally and I will liberate you from all your sins. A perfect example for this kind of bhakti is mahabali chakravarthy
So friends are you already following any of the above-mentioned ways of Bhakti? If not why late choose one or more from the above-mentioned ways of bhakti and become close to God.
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Venkat
Venkataramana Modi ( simply Venkat ) a proud Hindu nationalist and a blogger by passion. Founder @ connecthindu.com and Shri Ram Seva parivar
Navavidha bhakti comprises the nine ways to express devotion or develop devotion for God or the higher Self. Mentioned in the Hindu scriptures, the "Srimad-Bhagavata" and the "Vishnu Purana," navavidha bhakti is also described as the devotional paths that lead to moksha, or liberation.
Shravan (Hearing), Kirtan (Chanting), Smaran (Remembering), Sevan (In Service), Dasya (Executing Orders), Archan (Worshipping), Vandan (Praying and praising), Sakhya (Friendship), Atma Samarpan (Surrendering). A devotee can practice any of these nine forms of bhakti, whichever suits his nature best.
Hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping, praying, obeying, maintaining friendship and surrendering everything. By the practice of these nine elements of devotional service one is elevated to spiritual consciousness, Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
5 Stages of Bhakti | Elevation to Krishna Consciousness :
Varana dasa – acceptance (2nd stage of Bhakti) Smarana dasa – remembrance (3rd stage of Bhakti) Bhavapana dasa – attainment of ecstatic spiritual emotions (4th stage of Bhakti) Prema Sampatti dasa – attainment of ecstatic love for Krishna (5th stage of Bhakti)
Answer: The main features of Bhakti were - emphasis on the devotion and individual worship of a deity rather than the performance of sacrifices. Another feature was the housing of deities in temples.
The features of the 16th century Bhakti movement are a) True devotion is a means for attaining God, b) Man's equality before God and C) Meaningful rituals.
What are the Stages? Within the nine steps of Bhakti Yoga, the aim is to identify with the pure nature of emotions, love and spirit. The process is through Kirtan, Mantra, Adoration, Contemplation, Prayer and so forth.
This devotional mantra, which is a Bhakti mantra, invokes the primary Creative Power which is manifest as the feminine. It calls upon the Mother Power. It will help you to be free of the insecurities which block freedom of action.
Do not criticize: Criticism is us trying to correct the world, and it generally serves as a smoke-screen that we use to avoid working on our own problems. ...
According to the Gita, there are two types of bhakti, parA bhaktiand aparA bhakti, each directed towards a different type of object. ParA bhakti dwells on the unmanifested brahman rather than anything with name and form.
The nine kinds of devotional service are hearing about Kṛṣṇa, chanting about Him, remembering Him, offering service to His lotus feet, offering Him worship in the temple, offering prayers to Him, working as His servant, making friendship with Him and unreservedly surrendering to Him.
Bhakti stands for Devotion. But it is not a Devotion something you retort to when you have no scientific, rational or logical explanations. It is what you follow once the Bhranti or delusions of your mind are alleviated. Bhakti stems from knowledge.
One dictionary defines devotion as "great love or loyalty, enthusiastic zeal" or "religious worship" (Oxford American Dictionary, 1980, p. 176). From this same dictionary, we find that the word "devout" is a derivative of the word "devotion." Devout means "earnestly religious, earnest, sincere."
The Bhakti movement was a significant religious movement in medieval Hinduism that sought to bring religious reforms to all strata of society by adopting the method of devotion to achieve salvation.
The Bhakti movement was based on the principles of monotheism and it generally criticized idol worship. The Bhakti reformers believed in freedom from the cycle of life and death and preached that salvation could be attained only by deep devotion and faith in God.
The method of worship and belief in God took a new turn during the movement. Henceforth, importance was given to devotion and love for God who is the God of all-God of both Hindus as well as Muslims. Bhakti or devotion for the Almighty was the central theme of this movement.
The effects of the Bhakti movement are: The reformers brought about harmony between Hindus and Muslims. They removed many weaknesses in Hindu society. The regional languages of India flourished since the reformers wrote in these languages.
The Bhakti yoga tradition has been historically most associated with Vaishnavism. The personal god here is Vishnu or one of his avatars. In many regions, the loving devotion is either to Vishnu-Lakshmi (god-goddess) together, or through Lakshmi who is considered the shakti of Vishnu.
God reciprocates their love. If a person is a true bhakta, then even if he were to make mistakes once in a while, he is forgiven by God, for God knows that these are mere slips, not intentional mistakes. A true devotee will always strive to keep to the path of virtuousness.
In the Srimad Bhagavata and the Vishnu Purana it is told that the nine forms of Bhakti are Sravana (hearing of God's Lilas and stories), Kirtana (singing of His glories), Smarana (remembrance of His Name and presence), Padasevana (service of His feet), Archana (worship of God), Vandana (prostration to the Lord), Dasya ...
Bhakti (loving devotion) centered on and directed to Jesus Christ—or what I here call "Christ-centred bhakti"—is an increasingly popular religious practice in India and elsewhere.
One of the major leaders in the bhakti movement is Guru Nanak Saheb, the reformers of the society and founder of Sikhism. The leader of the bhakti movement focuses on Ramananda-He is believed to have lived in the first half of the 15th century.
Bhakti Movement started from South India, by Alvaras and Nayanars. Alvaras are the devotees of Lord Vishnu and Nayanars are devotees of Lord Shiva. These devotees travelled to various places singing hymns in praise of their Gods. Many temples were built that became sacred places of pilgrimage.
Bhakti yoga practices include (but are not limited to) chanting, mantra, mudras, prayer, poetry, tending to an altar, and group singing, known as kirtan.
It is a form of the most powerful mantra in Hinduism, the Gayatri Mantra. Shiva Gayatri Mantra is extremely powerful, it gives you peace of mind and that pleases Lord Shiva.
Do not criticize: Criticism is us trying to correct the world, and it generally serves as a smoke-screen that we use to avoid working on our own problems. ...
What are the Stages? Within the nine steps of Bhakti Yoga, the aim is to identify with the pure nature of emotions, love and spirit. The process is through Kirtan, Mantra, Adoration, Contemplation, Prayer and so forth.
The Bhakti movement was based on the principles of monotheism and it generally criticized idol worship. The Bhakti reformers believed in freedom from the cycle of life and death and preached that salvation could be attained only by deep devotion and faith in God.
Answer: The main features of Bhakti were - emphasis on the devotion and individual worship of a deity rather than the performance of sacrifices. Another feature was the housing of deities in temples.
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