|| Shravanam Kirtanam Vishnoh Smaranam Paadasevanam
Archanam Vandanam Daasyam Sakhyam Aatmanivedanam ||
The above sloka is told by Pralhad Rajaru, one of the greatest devotees for whose protection Lord Vishnu came in Narasimha Avatar. As per the above sloka there 9 types of Bhakti
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. If your friends talk about GOD and his leelas then they are good friends helping you with Shravanam Sadhana. Dasaru are too much Poojaniya because they sang many songs for us to listen and do Shravana Bhakti.
It is better to practice GOOD than opposing BAD.
If you want a true leader in Shravanam Bhakti - its Parikshitha Maharaja who knew his death is just 7 days away and being King anything he can enjoy but he devoted all his last days to Shravana Bhakti.
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 It is considered an easy way because you can do this any time. A bhakti Sangeetha during festivals, aarathi, while giving bath to kids and many times in a day one can chant lord names thus purifying aatma and also submitting such Bhakti to GOD.
Narada Maharshigalu is leader in Keerthanam Bhakti
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 to 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 Bhakti 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. Doing bhakti in other devatas who do namaskara to Lord vishnu is also padasevanam.
Laxmi Devi is our leader in doing padasevanam constantly in GOD
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. Anusandhana Poorvaka Bhakti at each physical work is Archana / pooja. Even your day today work can be submitted to lord as Pooja if your anusandhana is good.
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. While doing Vandana to someone 3 things happen at a time. You remember their greatness, you submit yourself with ego being down, you physically & Mentally pray them. Akrura did namaskara to each step that he saw on way to Dwaraka
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.
Hence we say "Namami Dootam Ramasya" in Yantrodharaka Hanumastotram
8. Sakhyam – Developing friendship with God
Worshipping GOD when he himself claim as your friend. Avijnata Sakha is always with us and remembering him always itself is our Bhakti. Arjuna remembered Lord Krishna every second as Lord though he was his chariot and also claimed as Sakha. Even our friends take us to different directions and one who remember lord becomes our friend that takes us towards Satkarmas immediately..
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 Bali Maharaja
We have tons of materials and materialistic worldly stuff but one cannot be happy with anything unless he chooses bhakti marga. Bhakti marga is slow and successful while the opposite direction is quick and short.
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