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To oscillate between loving the Supreme Being and loving one's family and property is known as Vyabhicharini Bhakti. While, loving the Supreme Being alone for ever and ever is called Avyabhicharini Bhakti.  

To oscillate between loving the Supreme Being and loving one's family and property is known as Vyabhicharini Bhakti. While, loving the Supreme Being alone for ever and ever is called Avyabhicharini Bhakti.  

* '''मुख्यभक्तिः गौणभक्तिः च । Mukhya (primary) and Gauna (secondary) Bhakti.'''  

* '''मुख्यभक्तिः गौणभक्तिः च । Mukhya (primary) and Gauna (secondary) Bhakti.'''  

Both Maharshi Shandilya as well as [[Narada (नारदः)|Maharshi Narada]] mention the classification of Bhakti as Primary and Secondary Bhakti. Shandilya mentions that primary devotion is one-pointed, whole-hearted devotion to the Supreme (Ekanta Bhava). It is the principal devotion because others are subservient to it. While Narada elaborates that secondary devotion is of three kinds either according to the Gunas in the devotee (ie. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) Or according to whether the devotees are the distressed (Arta), seekers of knowledge (Jijnasu) or the selfish (Arthartha).

Both Maharshi Shandilya as well as [[Narada (नारदः)|Maharshi Narada]] mention the classification of Bhakti as Primary and Secondary Bhakti. Shandilya mentions that primary devotion is one-pointed, whole-hearted devotion to the Supreme (Ekanta Bhava). It is the principal devotion because others are subservient to it. While Narada elaborates that secondary devotion is of three kinds either according to the Gunas in the devotee (ie. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) Or according to whether the devotees are the distressed (Arta), seekers of knowledge (Jijnasu) or the selfish (Arthartha). And in both cases, the first is better than the second and the second is better than the third.<blockquote>गौणी त्रिधा गुणभेदादार्तादिभेदाद्वा ॥५६॥ उत्तरस्मादुत्तरस्मात्पूर्वपूर्वा श्रेयाय भवति ॥५७॥</blockquote><blockquote>''gauṇī tridhā guṇabhedādārtādibhedādvā ॥56॥ uttarasmāduttarasmātpūrvapūrvā śreyāya bhavati ॥57॥''</blockquote>Para Bhakti and Ragatmika Bhakti are also otherwise, known as Mukhya or primary Bhakti. While, Sakamya Bhakti is called Gauna or secondary Bhakti.

 

Para Bhakti and Ragatmika Bhakti are also otherwise, known as Mukhya or primary Bhakti. While, Sakamya Bhakti is called Gauna or secondary Bhakti.

* '''सात्त्विकभक्तिः राजसिकभक्तिः तामसिकभक्तिः च । Sattvika, Rajasika and Tamasika Bhakti.'''

* '''सात्त्विकभक्तिः राजसिकभक्तिः तामसिकभक्तिः च । Sattvika, Rajasika and Tamasika Bhakti.'''

As seen in Narada's exposition mentioned above, all these three types of Bhakti are secondary devotion only. In Sattvika Bhakti, the quality of Sattva predominates in the Bhakta. In Rajasika Bhakti, the quality of Rajas predominates and in Tamasika Bhakti, the quality of Tamas predominates in the Bhakta. A Sattvika Bhakta worships the Supreme to please Him, destroy Vasanas etc. and a Rajasika Bhakta worships the Supreme to get estates, wealth, name and fame. However, a Tamasika Bhakta is actuated by wrath, arrogance, jealousy and malice in showing devotion to the Supreme. That is, to worship the Supreme for destroying one’s enemy and for getting success in an enterprise through unlawful means is Tamasika Bhakti. For example, When the thief prays, “O Ganesha ! Let me get something tonight. I will offer you 100 coconuts in return”, it is Tamasika Bhakti.

As seen in Narada's exposition mentioned above, all these three types of Bhakti are secondary devotion only. In Sattvika Bhakti, the quality of Sattva predominates in the Bhakta. In Rajasika Bhakti, the quality of Rajas predominates and in Tamasika Bhakti, the quality of Tamas predominates in the Bhakta. A Sattvika Bhakta worships the Supreme to please Him, destroy Vasanas etc. and a Rajasika Bhakta worships the Supreme to get estates, wealth, name and fame. However, a Tamasika Bhakta is actuated by wrath, arrogance, jealousy and malice in showing devotion to the Supreme. That is, to worship the Supreme for destroying one’s enemy and for getting success in an enterprise through unlawful means is Tamasika Bhakti. For example, When the thief prays, “O Ganesha ! Let me get something tonight. I will offer you 100 coconuts in return”, it is Tamasika Bhakti.