Nine kinds of Devotion
Devotion means love and friendship. Developing respect and love towards a superior being based on knowledge of the superiority is Devotion. For example, we know there are people who are
taking blessings of Shri Raghavendra Swamy without understanding the
contribution of Shri Raghavendra Swamy towards the society. That type of devotion is not true
devotion. If the knowledge of Shri
Raghavendra Swamy’s personality and his contributions(Granthas) are understood while performing services, then it becomes true devotion. The Bhagavantha(God) is
omnipotent, He is eternal, He is existing everywhere, He has no birth or death,
He is absolute, He is endless, He is ultimate, He is perfect. One must understand the concept of
Bhagavantha(God). Understanding of Bhagavantha (God) in this
manner is true devotion towards Bhagavantha(God). The emotional devotion may be devotion
without knowledge and true devotion is the devotion with knowledge. The devotion has a particular order. The ranking order is : Bhagavantha (God) , Goddess(Lakshmi), Deities, Gandharvas, Rishis, Sanyasis, Gurus, Daasas. The concept of taratamya (ranking order) is inherent in the Shastra. The devotion must not be
stopped even if one comes across obstacles.
Prahalad’s devotion is a true devotion, because there was nobody to help
him to understand that Bhagavantha(God) is supreme. For the mistakes we commit we undergo
punishment and it is not because of Bhagavantha(God). Without understanding this we blame Bhagavantha(God) and our devotion diminishes when we are punished for our
mistakes. This type of devotion is
emotional devotion. Bhagavantha(God) can
be appeased only if one shows pure devotion to Him. Bhagavantha is anantha gunaparipurna. He has no doshas(defects). Lord Krishna does not
accept the invitation of Duryodhana, whereas He accepts the invitation of poor
Sudhama as his devotion to Krishna was very pure. This indicates how one should worship
Bhagavantha(God). Without any aspiration
one should love Bhagavantha(God). That
is pure devotion.
1.
The glory of the Bhagavantha must be listened to.
This is done by ears.
2.
The Bhagavantha(God) must be praised
by prayers. This is done by mouth.
3.
The Bhagavantha(God) must be remembered
always. This is done by mind.
4.
Paada sEve(Duty) of Bhagavantha must be
done. This is done through hands.
5.
Archana(Worship) of Bhagavantha(God)
must be performed. This is done by
offering flowers and basil leaves to Bhagavantha.
6.
Offering prayers to Bhagavantha by
stotras(hymns of praise) and kirtans(devotional songs).
7.
The concept of considering
Bhagavantha(God) as Isha(Swamy, Supreme) and we as His Daasas(slaves) must be
realized.
8.
Consider Bhagavantha(God) as your
hitheyshi(well-wisher).
9.
Atma nivEdane, that is completely
surrender yourself to Bhagavantha(God).
These are the nine devotions or in
other words navavidha bhaktigalu.
Likewise, there are nine kinds of thoughts
which are against Vaishnava Tatvas(truths).
1.
There is no difference between Jeeva and
jeeva. There is no difference between
jeeva and jada.
2.
Thinking that Bhagavantha has no Gunas.
3.
There is difference in roopas of
Bhagavantha’s avatars. All rooopas of
Bhagavantha are same but for different causes avatars were taken by Him.
4.
Thinking that Vedavyasa and Kapila as
Rishis and not Bhagavantha avatar.
5.
Thinking that Lakshmana and Balarama
are avatars of Bhagavantha.
6.
Not accepting Vishnu as
Sarvothama. Thinking that Ganesha, Surya
are Sarvothamas.
7. Thinking that Rudra, Brahma are all equal.
8.
Hating the devotees of Bhagavantha.
9.
Allegations on Bhagavantha.
Note: - Based on the
lecture (pravachana) of Dr. Prabhanjanacharya.
Prepared by: - Sudhindra Simha. J,
Bengaluru.