9 Forms of Bhakti
Listening, singing, remembering, serving the feet, worshipping, offering obeisance, servitude, friendship, and complete surrender – through these nine paths one can reach God. These are known as the 9 forms of Bhakti.
A devotee can choose any of these nine paths based on their ability, capacity, and opportunities. Regardless of the path chosen, the result will be the same.
Sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada sevanam
arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyamatma nivedanam
iti punsarpita visnau bhaktiscennavalaksana
kriyate bhagavatyad’dha tanman’yedhitamuttamam
Reaching the divine is the ultimate goal of human life. But how do we reach that divine? The Supreme Being does not set specific rules. Scriptures tell us to worship the divine according to our capacity.
Adi Shankaracharya also stated, “Yadyatkarma Karomi Tattadakhilam Shambho Tavaraadhanam” – every action performed with pure intentions and dedication is an act of worship to Shiva. All we need to do is worship the divine in the way we have chosen, ensuring there is no lack of sincerity or effort.
9 Different Paths – Nava Vidha Bhakti
The Bhagavata Purana describes nine different paths to reach God. These are known as the nine forms of devotion / 9 forms of Bhakti (Nava Vidha Bhakti). There is a verse related to this in the chapter of Prahlada’s story.
Listening (Sravanam) – Sravana Bhakti
Sravanam means listening. Listening to divine stories and glories with total immersion also equates to worshipping God. Listening does not merely mean hearing the words from the speaker’s mouth with our ears. The essence of the words heard should reach the heart.
Regardless of what work one is doing, the divine words heard previously should resonate within the mind. One should reach a state where the mind does not agree to hear any other kinds of words.
Only then can it be said that one has truly practised ‘Sravanam’. Prahlada heard about God from Narada even while he was in his mother’s womb. Dharmaraja, Janamejaya, Parikshit, and others attained salvation by continually listening to divine stories. This is known as Sravana Bhakti.
Singing Praises (Kirtanam) – Kirtana Bhakti
Kirtanam means extolling or glorifying. It involves speaking about the greatness of God, with elevated and noble emotions, both verbally and mentally. The main aspect of Kirtanam is to focus the mind on God with a sense of reverence for His virtuous qualities.
Continuously remembering and talking about God’s virtues helps the mind to easily become devoted to Him. From the moment we begin singing or chanting the names and glories of God, we draw closer to the divine.
Devotees like Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Annamacharya, Kancherla Gopanna, Mirabai, and Tulsidas attained salvation through their devotion by singing the praises of God. This is known as Kirtana Bhakti.
Remembrance (Smaranam) – Smarana Bhakti
Smaranam means remembering. No matter where we are or what circumstances we are in, we should always remember God. This is Smarana Bhakti. Hanuman and Sage Narada are excellent examples of this.
Narada cannot spend a moment without remembering the name of Narayana, and Hanuman cannot be without remembering the name of Rama. That is true Smaranam.
When we strive to remember God’s name without a break, even for a moment, we become closer to the divine. In short, true Smaranam is to never abandon the thought of God at any time or under any circumstances.
Serving the Feet (Pada-Sevanam) – Seva Bhakti
There is no greater path of devotion than serving the feet of the divine. Bharata worshipped Rama’s sandals as the embodiment of Rama himself and attained salvation through Padasevanam. Pundarika, absorbed in serving his father’s feet, did not even acknowledge the arrival of his beloved deity, Panduranga. Rama was so moved by Guha’s service to his feet that he granted him liberation. Such is the power of Pada-sevanam.
In the Kali Yuga, one might doubt the possibility of physically serving the feet of the divine. Serving the feet does not merely mean embracing or laying one’s head at the feet. It involves following the path shown by the divine and practising the teachings of the divine. This is known as Seva Bhakti.
Worship (Archanam)
Worshipping God with offerings such as incense, lamps, and flowers is a path of devotion that leads to the divine. This is known as Archana Bhakti. Simply placing turmeric, rice, or flowers on the deity does not constitute true worship.
The physical act of offering material items should gradually elevate to a higher state, ultimately leading to mental worship where one envisions the divine and performs rituals in the temple of the mind. One should leave behind negative qualities at the feet of the Supreme and embrace divine love.
Vandanam (Salutation)
Vandanam means offering respectful obeisance. When we bow down to someone, it signifies accepting their greatness and discarding our ego. Similarly, salutation to the divine should be conducted with reverence. Offering directly to the deity’s idol should mature into a salutation that acknowledges the presence of the Supreme within all beings and displays compassion towards all life forms.
By recognizing the omnipresence of God and conducting ourselves in harmony with divine guidance, we engage in meaningful vandanam, both in literal and spiritual senses. Salutation to God includes acknowledging His greatness, recognizing that the Supreme exists in all beings, and having compassion towards every creature.
It involves recognizing God’s greatness and treating every creature with the same mercy, which is the essence and ultimate truth.
Dasyam – Dasya Bhakti
Just by hearing these words, devotees of Rama and Hanuman come to mind. What is service? How should a servant be? Hanuman exemplifies and teaches it so vividly that others need not demonstrate it. It is not just about saying; it’s about doing. Without expecting results from service, we work hard for the master.
Similarly, considering the residents around the Lord as the master and worshipping the Lord, Dasyam is done. Lakshmana served Rama for fourteen years in exile. This is called Dasya Bhakti.
Sakhyam – Sakhya Bhakti
‘Sakhyam’ is to strive to grow in friendship with God as you would with a good friend. Sakhyata is to be ecstatic about God as a friend and extol His glory and supremacy. He is the Consciousness spread throughout the universe.
We should become closer to God with the same kind of care and love we show to our dearest person. Once a bond is formed even if we shake him off, he will not leave us. The Pandavas were in alliance with Krishna and received constant protection. Krishna and Kuchelula’s story is an example of sakhya bhakti which has been embraced by the whole world.
Surrender
Surrendering oneself completely to God is self-surrendering. Whatever is one’s own should be offered to the Supreme. Everything from the physical body to the inner life should be left at the feet of the Supreme Lord. This requires a lot of practice and maturity.
After surrendering everything we have, only the soul is left. That is Parabraham. In this state, there is no difference between God and devotee, both are one. Balichakravarti gave everything he had to the Supreme. Godadevi’s Atma Pratikshana belonged to Ranganatha.
Let us practise these Navavida Bhakti to reach the Lord.
