We hear that śravaṇaṁ (hearing) is the most important aṅga of bhakti, yet we’re also told that practical service (seva) purifies us. How do we know if we’re leaning too much on theoretical knowledge or becoming mechanical in service?
You need to be a member of ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT to add comments!
Replies
Hare Krishna,
The nine forms of Bhakti, also known as Nava vidha Bhakti are distinct ways to cultivate devotion and love for the divine. These forms, as described in the Srimad Bhagavatam, are: Shravanam (listening), Kirtanam (singing), Smaranam (remembering), Pada Sevanam (serving the feet), Archana (adoring), Vandanam (bowing), Dasyam (servitude), Sakhyam (friendship), and Atma nivedanam (self-surrender).
These all nine forms of the bhakti are essential part and parcel of bhakti.
One cannot stick to only one form.
Well, to start with...A soul which has forgotten its original swaroopa needs to be awakened so.. It starts with shravanam ( first stage)- We hear the glories of the Lord..
Once we hear from a pure devotee.. the inherent nature of the soul is to reciprociate to that by glorifying Lord with his tongue by Kirtanam.
We start to say to others about the glories of the Lord.
We hear from someone the greatness we wont stop there... we tell others .. isn't it?
the same way we start to praise and glorify Lord.
Then when we are alone we are reminded of the glories.. ( SMARANAM).
When we feel intense love we now start to feel like omg Such a great worthy BHAGWAN we must do PADA abhi vandanam, Pada sevanam. ..
We must offer something like incense.. We have nothing with us.. which we own but still we want to offer.. whatever we have. .. maybe flowers.. maybe sandalwood paste.. maybe fruit maybe some tulasi.. and water.
NOW We start doing this archana, vanadanam, padasevanam, dasyam...
we are now more advanced.. we develop a relationship with the deity.. ( SNEHAM SAKHYAM) daily we are offering to the deity
ONE DAY YOU DON;t offer food you feel emptiness. This is the stage where we are forming a emotional attachemnt a bonding with the deity
and then after sakhyam.
We are done.. now we know that we don't have anything much to offer.. we offer ourselves to Lord and say-->> jo bhi mai apna maan ke phir raha tha ab jaan gaya ki mera kuch nahi hai mai bhi aapka hi hoon.
Totally surrender that is Atma nivedanam.
This is step by step process.
We hear about someone we cannot stop just by hearing. .. we have this intrinsic nature.. to go and tell that to others and glorify in our own basha. ( hum koi vidhawaan nahi na sageetagyn na koi geetkaar .. whatever however totalli basha we speak we go and do glorify what we hear to others that is Kirtanam.... arey but when we are lonely we will remember.. oh that man told us this.. oh that Lord is so and so it seems so great. . hogaya smarnam... I must do something or offer something that I have for this Lord.. in that way maybe Lord can be pleased let me offer some fruit, water, sandal paste or some bhoga or flowers incenses hogaya archana.. okay I will do namaskaram .. not sufficient I must bow down my head and do shastnaga dandavat pranama because He is supreme Lord Sri Hari.. okay hogaya Padasevanam. .. We also will take some tirtha.. the water from the Lotus feet of Lord or even do try to do more by fanning pressing the feet of Lord.. I already got attached to this Lord... yesterday I forgot to offer fruit.. I am feeling lost. That day we are having guilty feeling .. Okay here we developed relationship Sakhyam and now.. i feel I have nothing much to offer.. I think all belongs to Only Lord even me.. What is there that is mine that I have to offer? I have nothing which belongs to me.. Let me offer my own self the soul. Jivah totally surrendered.
Hare Krishna
Hare Krsna!
Thank you so much for explaining the nine forms of Bhakti in such a clear and beautiful way - like a step-by-step flowchart guiding the soul back to its divine nature. Your breakdown makes the journey from Shravanam to Atma Nivedanam feel so natural and attainable, like petals of a lotus unfolding one by one.
It’s truly uplifting to see how each stage builds upon the other, transforming the heart from mere hearing to complete surrender. Your words remind me that devotion isn’t rigid or forced but flows organically, just as a river merges into the ocean. The way you described the emotional bond with the Lord - feeling emptiness when we forget to offer even a simple prayer—resonates deeply. It’s a reminder that love for Krishna isn’t ritual; it’s a living, breathing relationship. Your explanation gives me faith that every kirtan, every flower offered, and every moment of remembrance is carrying me closer to that ultimate surrender.
With renewed inspiration, I’ll strive to embrace all nine forms, knowing that one day, like Shabari, the heart will whisper: "I am Yours." Thank you for lighting the way. Hari Hari.
Hare Krishna,
I got reminded of Shabari
Shabari was hearing to glories of Lord Shri Rama from the sages where she used to work as a cleaner at the ashrama of some sage. She heard about Lord Rama.. She started to sing daily while going to fetch water glories of lord all along her way.. and when she met her friends or some kids she sat with them and told about glories of Lord Shree Rama to them.. When she came back home her Hut she used to lit a lamp next to Lord's picture or deity and used to think back about what all the sages said... ( Shabari was illiterate and she never read any books) she just did smaranam of what all the sages glorified about Shree Rama repcap every night before sleep and wake up and do chores and sings the folk lore song in here own way and used to daily do Padasevanam for sages as they give her the instructions about Lord Rama. She did vanadam to Lord daily sweeping the roads to her home.. keeping her home neat and cleaning expecting today Lord Sri Rama would come.. go out and clean the pathway.. and did dasyam .. she plucked wild berries daily tasted it and placed the best fruit in front of Lord Sri Rama's deity and used to say... Lord today you have not come.. But I am collected these berries for you they are very sweet I have tasted a small part and kept it best ones are here ....I hope to see you tomorrow.. I am waiting.. next day she cleaned the pathway from the river to the home.. and collected berries and offered archana, sakhyam over. In this way.. she already formed a avinavabhava sambandham ( with the archa vigraha) the Lord has to reciprociate to that now. Sakhyma done.
When Lord shree Rama came ... He simply took the collected berries and ate with lot of love and Shabari did Atma nivedanam that day she said Lord I am done I have nothing much to offer you have come to my small hut and I just offering you petty jhoote ber ( tasted berries) I have nothing to offer I offer my own self at your service. Jivera swaroopa hoye Krishnera nitya dasa.. I am your dasi please accept me that is fully surrendered atmanivedanam.
Just by doing one anga leaving others bhakti is not completed.
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
All the 9 angas of bhakti - sravanam, kirtanam, smaranam, padasevanam, archanam, vandanam, dasyam, sakhyam and atma nivedanam - all are purifying. What is mentioned in scriptures is - it starts with sravanam - waking up a lost soul. Like how we are woken up from sleep with sound, same way soul is awakened by sravanam.
Seva is the practical application of all the theory that we hear and learn. The bhaav with which we do seva tells us our level. You can examine for yourself - whether the service given to you is a chore or it is a pleasure or it is to be done with intense service attitude. If we are happy only reading or hearing lecture with no practical bhajan kriya (practical service), then we are leaning too much on theoritical knowledge. If we are doing so much seva that there is no time to even chant, then we will naturally become mechanical in our service and the service attitude will disappear before we realise.
We have to do all angas of bhakti with the attitude that this is for our purification The obstacles that we receive during service, whether it is chastisement or non cooperation from fellow devotees, is for our purification. Of course, it is not expected that a person realises it in the beginning. But if one persevers with faith, this realisation is sure to come. And with this realisation, spiritual growth is sure to happen.
We should constantly introspect and see what is our bhaav for doing any service.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krsna,
Thank you for your insightful and inspiring post. You have beautifully highlighted the essence of bhakti as both a theoretical and practical journey, where sādhana and seva go hand in hand.
Without honest self-assessment, our service can easily become mechanical or ego-driven. Your reminder to persevere with faith, even when faced with challenges, is a much-needed encouragement for all devotees on this path.
May we all cultivate such a sincere attitude in our service to Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga.
I recently started using MightyCall for my business and I am very pleased. The interface is simple and clear, and the functions are exactly what you need to organize calls and work with clients. I especially liked the ability to quickly set up a telephone system without unnecessary technical difficulties. Excellent service for small and medium businesses!
Did anyone ask you?
Hare Krsna Prabhu
Hearing also purifies us. In fact, sevice to the Spiritual master according to Srila Prabhupada is to hear from him the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Hari Bol
Yes, i know but it is only limited to me, right? I'm asking from a perspective of other's seva other than listening.