Friday, 31 August 2012

Nine Types of Bhakthi

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః
గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః
 
శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం
ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే
 
శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం
నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం
 
ఓం నమః శివాయ
 
There are nine types of Bhakthis
 
1.    Sravanam
Meaning: Listening. This is the form where the Bhaktha continuously keeps listening to the puranas, kaavyas and various other things related to God. The best example for this is Pareekshit. Pareekshit was Abhimanyu’s son (Grandson of Arjuna) and was a great king. But when he came to know about his death in a weeks time, he started listening to Suka maharshi. Suka maharshi (Son of Vyaasa maharshi) told Bhaagavatham to Pareekshit and Pareekshit attained Moksha just by listening to it whole heartedly, just for a week.
 
2.    Smaranam
Meaning: Thinking. The Bhaktha just cannot stop thinking of God at any point of time. Irrespective of the state or condition, the Bhaktha keeps thinking of God all the time. Prahlaada epitomized this form of Bhakthi. Being in front of elephants about to trample him, or when thrown into sea or when about to be beaten with hunters, he would just not stop thinking of Lord Vishnu.
 
3.    Keerthanam
Meaning: Praising. Narada is a wonderful example for this form of Bhakthi. He goes around various worlds singing various keerthanas with his Tambura. I would probably be not wrong if I include Tyaagaraaja and Annamaachaarya to this clan considering the number of keerthanas and kruthis they have composed.
 
4.    Padasevanam
Meaning: Serving God or Bhaagavathulu. Goddess lakshmi exemplifies this form of bhakthi as she is at the feet of Lord Vishnu all the time. Since god is not accessible to normal people like that, guru Sushrosha (doing the seva for the guru) can be considered as this form of Bhakthi.
 
5.    Archanam
Meaning: Regular Pooja with Shoda shopaachaaraalu. The poojas that we do with the 16 forms of upachaaras is considered as a form of Archana. Prudhu Maharaju epitomized this. When Lord Vishnu asked him for a boon, he asked Lord Vishnu to give him the privilege of serving him in such a way, which would attract the wrath of goddess lakshmi (in jealousy).
 
6.    Daasyam
Meaning: Complete Submission. None other than Hanuman is cited for this form of Bhakthi. He is also worshipped as Daasyaanjaneya. This form of Bhakthi is possible by serving a guru.
 
7.    Sakhyam
Meaning: Friendship. This is possible only for the privileged. For example, Sugreeva/Vibheeshana with Rama, Sri Krishnas friends during his childhood with the Gopaala baalakas, Pandavas etc. Arjuna is cited for this form of Bhakthi as he consulted Sri Krishna like a friend all the time.
భగవంతునికి భాగవతులు చాలా ప్రీతి పాత్రులు. భాగవతుల సఖ్యం భగవంతుని సఖ్యంతో సమానం.
 
8.    Vandanam
Meaning: Inviting. When it comes to this form of Bhakthi, Akroorudu is used as an example. Akroorudu belonged to the kingdom of Kamsa and he was sent by King Kamsa to fetch Krishna and Balaraama to his kingdom. Kamsa planned to kill both of them by hook or crook. Akroorudu was delighted to know that he would be driving Krishna and Balaraama. On Krishnaashtami festival we paint the footsteps of little Krishna inviting him to our homes.
 
9.    Aatma nivedanam
Meaning: Submission of self. When Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Vatuvu (Brahmachaari), Vaamana Avataaram, to get back the kingdom (and everything else) that Bali Chakravarthy had taken from Indra, Bali’s guru Sukraachaarya recognized Vishnu. He warned Bali not to give any boons to that Vatuvu. Bali said, “How can I refuse an opportunity to put my hand above the hands of Vishnu, whose hands are always above every one elses? It doesn’t matter what he asks. I will give it to him even if it means that I have to give my life. My hands will be above his. That’s enough for me.”
 
సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు
PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.
 

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