NAVADHA BHAKTI:- NINE WAYS OR FORMS OF DEVOTION

Navadha Bhakti:- Nine ways or forms of devotion

The Bhagavata Purana teaches nine primary forms of bhakti, as explained by Prahlada

(1) śravaṇa (“listening” to the scriptural stories of Kṛiṣṇa   (2) kīrtana (“praising,” usually refers to ecstatic group singing), (3) smaraṇa (“remembering” or fixing the mind on Viṣṇu), (4) pāda-sevana (rendering service), (5) arcana (worshiping an image), (6) vandana (paying homage), (7) dāsya (servitude), (8) sākhya (friendship), and (9) ātma-nivedana(complete surrender of the self).

 (from Bhagata Purana, 7.5.23-24)

Navadha Bhakti:- Nine ways or forms of devotion (Sri Ramcharitmanas)

श्रीराम जी  ने शबरी को नवधा भक्ति के बारे में ज्ञान दिया था:
अवधी भाषा में (रामचरितमानस से)
नवधा भगति कहउं तोहि पाहीं। सावधान सुनु धरु मन माहीं॥

The nine steps of devotion, I impart to you. Listen you well and remember it always. 

1. प्रथम भगति संतन्ह कर संगा। 

Pratham Bhagati Santan kar sangaa
The first step to devotion (Bhakti) is to keep company of the saints (Satsang).

2. दुसरि रति मम कथा प्रसंगा॥

Doosri rati mam kathaa prasangaa
The second step is to enjoy listening to legends/discourses pertaining to the Lord.

3. गुरु पद पंकज सेवा तीसरि भगति अमान।

Guru pankaj seva, teesri bhakti amaan
Selfless service to the Guru’s lotus feet without any pride is the third step.

4. चौथि भगति मम गुन गन करइ कपट तजि गान॥

Chouthi Bhagati mam gun gaan, karai kapat tajee gaan
The fourth step is to earnestly sing praises of the Lord’s virtues with a heart clear of guile, deceit or hypocrisy.

5. मंत्र जाप मम दृढ़ बिस्वासा। पंचम भजन सो बेद प्रकासा॥

Mantra jaap mam dridh Visvaasaa, Pancham, bhajan jo Ved Prakaasaa
Chanting My Name with steadfast faith is the fifth step as the Vedas reveal.

6. छठ दम सील बिरति बहु करमा। निरत निरंतर सज्जन धरमा॥

Chattha dasa seela birati bahu karmaa, nirat nirantara sajjan dharma
The sixth, is to practice self-control, good character, detachment from manifold activities and always follow the duties as good religious person.

7. सातवँ सम मोहि मय जग देखा। मोतें संत अधिक करि लेखा॥

Saatvam sam mohi main jag dekhaa, motey sant adhik kar lekhaa
The seventh step is to perceive the world as God Himself and regard the saints higher than the Lord.

8. आठवँ जथालाभ संतोषा। सपनेहुं नहिं देखइ परदोषा॥

Aathvam jathaa laabh santoshaa, sapneu nahin, dekhai par doshaa
The eighth, is a state (which one arrives at when one travels the first seven steps) where there is no desire left, but the gift of perfect peace and contentment with whatever one has. (In this state) one does not see fault in others, even in a dream.

9. नवम सरल सब सन छलहीना। मम भरोस हिय हरष न दीना॥

Navam saral sab san chhal heena, mam bharos heenya harash na deenaa
In this state, one has full faith in the Lord, and becomes (child-like) simple with no hypocrisy or deceit. The devotee has strong faith in the Lord with neither exaltation or depression in any life circumstance (but becomes equanimous).
नव महुं एकउ जिन्ह कें होई। नारि पुरूष सचराचर कोई॥
सोइ अतिसय प्रिय भामिनी मोरें। सकल प्रकार भगति दृढ़ तोरें॥
Shri Ram adds that Shabri’s Bhakti is perfectly complete. Yet if anyone were to have taken even one step towards devotion, out of all nine, he/she would be very dear to the Lord.