Table of Contents
What is Navdha Bhakti?
Bhakti has been given the best place in Hindu religion. Because of the devotion of the devotee, even God comes running. Bhakti has been explained differently in different texts. Different sects and communities define devotion in their own way but in our scriptures great importance has been given to nine types of devotion which is called “Navdha Bhakti”.
What Are The 9 Types Of Devotion? | Navdha Bhakti
Navdha Bhakti has been mentioned twice in our scriptures. Its first description comes in Vishnu Purana which is related to the Narasimha incarnation of Lord in Satyayuga. It contains a conversation between Hiranyakashipu and Prahlad in which Prahlad tells his father about the nine types of devotion to God. By following which God can be interviewed. Prahlad says-
श्रवणं कीर्तनं विष्णोः स्मरणं पादसेवनम्।
अर्चनं वन्दनं दास्यं सख्यमात्मनिवेदनम् ॥
Shravanam Kirtanam Vishnoh Smaranam Padasevanam.
Archanam Vandanam Daasyam Sakhyamatmanivedanam..
Also Read: Message of Shrimad Bhagawad Gita | Importance, Benefits, Remove Sins & Problems
Meaning listening, Kirtan, remembering, eating food, worshiping, worshiping, dasya, sakhya and self-supplication, these are called nine types of devotion.
- Hearing: Listening to God’s story and importance with full devotion.
- Kirtan: Chanting the infinite qualities of God while chanting them with your mouth.
- Remembrance: Always remember the Lord.
- Pada-Sevan: Offering oneself at the feet of the Lord.
- Archan: Worshiping the Lord with the sacred materials mentioned in the scriptures.
- Worship: Worship God for eight hours.
- Dasya: Considering God as the master and oneself as his slave.
- Sakhya: Consider God as your supreme and dearest friend.
- Self-sacrifice: To give up one’s freedom and surrender oneself completely to God.
Among these nine, Prahlad has described Shravan, Kirtan and Samaran as the best and among these three also he has called Shravan the best.
9 Personalities that Represents Navdha Bhakti
There have been nine such personalities in different eras who have become famous as the culmination of these various devotions. These are:
- Hearing: Parikshit
- Kirtan: Shukdev
- Remember: Prahlad
- Farting: Mata Lakshmi
- Archan: Prithu
- Salutation: Akrur
- Dasya: Hanuman
- Sakhya: Arjun
- Self-sacrifice: Demon King Bali
The credit for making Navdha Bhakti famous in the modern era goes to Goswami Tulsidas. He has mentioned this Navdha Bhakti by Lord Shri Ram in Aranya Kand of Shri Ramcharitmanas. According to Ramcharitmanas, when Shri Ram meets Shabari, she says that how can I, being born in a lowly family, become the authority of your devotion.
Then Shri Ram says, “O Bhamini, listen! I believe in only one relationship of devotion. Despite having these nine qualities – caste, clan, religion, pride, wealth, family, virtue and cleverness – a person who is devoid of devotion is like this. It seems like a waterless cloud. After this, Shri Ram tells Shabari about the nine types of devotion which Tulsidas ji has included in six couplets.
नवधाभगति कहउँतोहि पाहीं। सावधानसुनु धरुमन माहीं॥
प्रथमभगति संतन्हकर संगा। दूसरि रतिमम कथाप्रसंगा॥
NavdhaBhagati KahunTohi Paaheen. SaavadhaanSunu DharuMan Maaheen.
PrathamBhagati SantanhKar Sanga. Doosari RatiMam KathaPrasanga..
If I say Navadha Bhakti, I get it. Listen carefully, my dear.
The first devotee was Santanha Kar Sanga. Doosri Rati Mam Katha Prasanga॥
Now I tell you my new devotion. You listen carefully and remember it in your mind. The first devotion is the satsang of saints. The second devotion in my story is love.
गुरपद पंकजसेवा तीसरिभगति अमान।
चौथिभगति ममगुनगन करइ कपट तजिगान॥
GurPad PankajSeva TeesariBhagati Amaan.
ChauthiBhagati MamGunGan Kari Kapat TajiGaan..
The third devotion is to serve the lotus feet of the Guru without any pride and the fourth devotion is to give up hypocrisy and sing praises of my virtues.
मंत्रजाप ममदृढ़ बिस्वासा। पंचमभजन सोबेद प्रकासा॥
छठदम सील बिरतिबहु करमा। निरतनिरंतर सज्जनधरमा॥
MantraJaap MamDrdh Bisvaasa, PanchamBhajan SoBaid Prakaasa.
ChhathDam Seel BiratiBahu Karama, NiratNirantar SajjanDharam..
Chanting my (Ram) mantra and having firm faith in me – this is the fifth devotion, which is famous in the Vedas. The sixth bhakti is control of the senses, modesty (good nature or character), detachment from many activities and constant engagement in the dharma (conduct) of saintly people.
सातवँ सममोहि मयजग देखा। मोतेंसंत अधिक करिलेखा॥
आठवँ जथालाभ संतोषा। सपनेहुँ नहिं देखइ परदोषा॥
Saatavan SamMohi MayJag Dekha, MotenSant Adhik KariLekha.
Aathavan Jathaalaabh Santosha, Sapanehun Nahin Dekhi Paradosha..
Also Watch: What is Navdha Bhakti? | Types of Bhakti or Devotion
The seventh bhakti is to see the whole world filled with me with equanimity (Rammay) and to respect the saints more than me. The eighth devotion is to be satisfied with whatever one gets and not to see the faults of others even in dreams.
नवमसरल सबसन छलहीना। ममभरोस हियँहरष नदीना॥
नवमहुँ एकउ जिन्हकें होई। नारिपुरुष सचराचर कोई॥
NavamSaral SabSan Chhalaheena, MamBharos HiyanHarash NaDeena.
NavMahun Eku JinhKen Hoee, NaariPurush Sacharaachar Koee..
Also Watch: 9 Types of Bhakti | Navdha Bhakti
The ninth bhakti is to behave simply and without deceit with everyone, to have faith in myself in the heart and to have no joy or sadness in any situation. Anyone who has even one of these nine, be it man, woman, inanimate or animate –
सोइ-अतिसय-प्रिय-भामिनि-मोरें। सकल-प्रकार-भगति-दृढ़-तोरें॥
जोगि-बृंद-दुरलभ-गति-जोई। तो-कहुँ-आजु-सुलभ-भइ-सोई॥
Soi Atisay Priy Bhaamini Moren, Sakal Prakaar Bhagati Drdh Toren.
Jogi Brnd Duralabh Gati Joee, To Kahun Aaju Sulabh Bhi Soee..
Bhamini! That’s what I love the most. Then all types of devotion are strong in you. Therefore, the speed which is rare even for Yogis, has become accessible to you today.
