9 types of bhakti

  the ramayan. After Lord Ram leaves the ashram of shabari, then Narad muni comes to meet him. He asks Lord Ram about different types of bhakti.

Earlier i had given the 9 types of bhakti from a puraan. This is given in the ramayan.
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Rama and Laxmana left the ashrama of Shabari and reached the Pampa Lake further South. It was a pleasant site; the water of the lake was sweet and clear. All animals were seen drinking from the same spot. Rivalry and cruelty was foreign to the spot. Surrounding trees were blooming with fruits and flowers.

Here the two brothers rested for a couple of days. The evergreen sage Narada visited Rama to seek advice on the nuances and subtleties of Bhakti -Yoga of Devotion or Worship. The expressions of Bhakti in a spiritual aspirant were discussed. Rama told Narada about the nine types of Bhakti:

• One who enjoys the Association of Sages is Bhakta. And who is a sage? In whose presence one gets peace and happiness of mind and soul is a sage.
• Second Bhakti is to listen to the stories and glory of God with all humility and love.
• To worship the holy feet of one's Guru (Teacher) and to serve him as per one's ability is third bhakti.
• To have firm faith in the teachings of scriptures and Mantra, Japa, etc. is another form of worship.
• To control the sense organs, and to be able to stabilize the mind in the constant remembrance of the Lord is one form of Bhakti.
• To attempt to visualize the same God in everything and in all situations is the next form of Bhakti.
• To remain contented, non covetous and satisfied in whatever condition the lord has placed one in is the eighth type of devotion, and
• To lead a simple guileless life, not to injure or harm anyone, to have firm faith in the existence of God, and to be equal in pain and pleasure is the last form of Bhakti.
• One who attempts to acquire anyone of these virtues is a Bhakta - devotee of the Lord.