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.
