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In the Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 7, Adhyaya 5) when Hiranyakashipu asks Prahlada to recite some of the excellent passages learnt well by him from what his teacher has taught him through the years, he elaborates on the nine forms of bhakti as follows:<blockquote>श्रवणं कीर्तनं विष्णोः स्मरणं पादसेवनम् । अर्चनं वन्दनं दास्यं सख्यमात्मनिवेदनम् ॥७.५.२३॥<ref name=":8">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 5]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pādasevanam । arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ sakhyamātmanivedanam ॥7.5.23॥''</blockquote>Meaning: There are nine forms of devotion to Vishnu -

In the Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 7, Adhyaya 5) when Hiranyakashipu asks Prahlada to recite some of the excellent passages learnt well by him from what his teacher has taught him through the years, he elaborates on the nine forms of bhakti as follows:<blockquote>श्रवणं कीर्तनं विष्णोः स्मरणं पादसेवनम् । अर्चनं वन्दनं दास्यं सख्यमात्मनिवेदनम् ॥७.५.२३॥<ref name=":8">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 5]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pādasevanam । arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ sakhyamātmanivedanam ॥7.5.23॥''</blockquote>Meaning: There are nine forms of devotion to Vishnu -

#श्रवणम् । ''śravaṇam'' refers to listening to the names, stories etc. of Vishnu

#श्रवणम् । ''śravaṇam'' refers to listening to the names, stories etc. of Vishnu

#कीर्तनम् । ''kīrtanam'' refers to singing of his name and glories

#कीर्तनम् । ''kīrtanam'' refers to singing of His name and glories

#स्मरणम् । ''smaraṇaṁ'' means to remember him (his name)

#स्मरणम् । ''smaraṇaṁ'' means to remember Him (his name)

#पादसेवनम् । ''pādasevanam'' refers to rendering service to him

#पादसेवनम् । ''pādasevanam'' refers to rendering service to Him

#अर्चनम् । ''arcanaṁ'' means to worship him

#अर्चनम् । ''arcanaṁ'' means to worship Him

#वन्दनम् । ''vandanaṁ'' refers to paying obeisance to him

#वन्दनम् । ''vandanaṁ'' refers to paying obeisance to Him

#दास्यम् । ''dāsyaṁ'' refers to the intent of dedicating all of one's actions to him

#दास्यम् । ''dāsyaṁ'' refers to the intent of dedicating all of one's actions to Him

#सख्यम् । ''sakhyam'' refers to the ability of one to confide in him as a friend

#सख्यम् । ''sakhyam'' refers to the ability of one to confide in Him as a friend

#आत्मनिवेदनम् । ''ātmanivedanam'' refers to offering oneself and one's belongings completely to his service and care.

#आत्मनिवेदनम् । ''ātmanivedanam'' refers to offering oneself and one's belongings completely to His service and care.

Prahlada further states that offering oneself completely to Vishnu and performing this nine-fold devotion is regarded as the highest type of learning. In fact, complete dedication as described above, is in fact the precedent to real devotion.<ref name=":6">[https://cloudup.com/cUT0LxhA6uF The Bhagavata Purana (Part III)], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref><blockquote>इति पुंसार्पिता विष्णौ भक्तिश्चेन्नवलक्षणा | क्रियेत भगवत्यद्धा तन्मन्येऽधीतमुत्तमम् ||७.५.२४||<ref name=":8" /></blockquote><blockquote>''iti puṁsārpitā viṣṇau bhaktiścennavalakṣaṇā | kriyeta bhagavatyaddhā tanmanye'dhītamuttamam ||7.5.24||''</blockquote>This is exemplified by Ambarisha who not only had supreme devotion to Bhagavan Vasudeva but also had great friendly affection towards His devotees. In fact, he dedicated all his actions and duties to Bhagavan Vishnu. The Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 9, Adhyaya 4) says,  <blockquote>स वै मनः कृष्णपदारविन्दयोः वचांसि वैकुण्ठगुणानुवर्णने । करौ हरेर्मन्दिरमार्जनादिषु श्रुतिं चकाराच्युतसत्कथोदये ॥ ९.४.१८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>मुकुन्दलिंगालयदर्शने दृशौ तद्‍भृत्यगात्रस्पर्शेङ्‌गसंगमम् । घ्राणं च तत्पादसरोजसौरभे श्रीमत् तुलस्या रसनां तदर्पिते ॥ ९.४.१९ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>पादौ हरेः क्षेत्रपदानुसर्पणे शिरो हृषीकेश पदाभिवन्दने । कामं च दास्ये न तु कामकाम्यया यथोत्तमश्लोक जनाश्रया रतिः ॥ ९.४.२० ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 9, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA Adhyaya 4]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sa vai manaḥ kr̥ṣṇapadāravindayoḥ vacāṁsi vaikuṇṭhaguṇānuvarṇane ।'' </blockquote><blockquote>''karau harermandiramārjanādiṣu śrutiṁ cakārācyutasatkathodaye ॥ 9.4.18 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''mukundaliṁgālayadarśane dr̥śau tad‍bhr̥tyagātrasparśeṅ‌gasaṁgamam ।'' </blockquote><blockquote>''ghrāṇaṁ ca tatpādasarojasaurabhe śrīmat tulasyā rasanāṁ tadarpite ॥ 9.4.19 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''pādau hareḥ kṣetrapadānusarpaṇe śiro hr̥ṣīkeśa padābhivandane ।'' </blockquote><blockquote>''kāmaṁ ca dāsye na tu kāmakāmyayā yathottamaśloka janāśrayā ratiḥ ॥ 9.4.20 ॥''</blockquote>That is,

Prahlada further states that offering oneself completely to Vishnu and performing this nine-fold devotion is regarded as the highest type of learning. In fact, complete dedication as described above, is in fact the precedent to real devotion.<ref name=":6">[https://cloudup.com/cUT0LxhA6uF The Bhagavata Purana (Part III)], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref><blockquote>इति पुंसार्पिता विष्णौ भक्तिश्चेन्नवलक्षणा | क्रियेत भगवत्यद्धा तन्मन्येऽधीतमुत्तमम् ||७.५.२४||<ref name=":8" /></blockquote><blockquote>''iti puṁsārpitā viṣṇau bhaktiścennavalakṣaṇā | kriyeta bhagavatyaddhā tanmanye'dhītamuttamam ||7.5.24||''</blockquote>This is exemplified by Ambarisha who not only had supreme devotion to Bhagavan Vasudeva but also had great friendly affection towards His devotees. In fact, he dedicated all his actions and duties to Bhagavan Vishnu. The Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 9, Adhyaya 4) says,  <blockquote>स वै मनः कृष्णपदारविन्दयोः वचांसि वैकुण्ठगुणानुवर्णने । करौ हरेर्मन्दिरमार्जनादिषु श्रुतिं चकाराच्युतसत्कथोदये ॥ ९.४.१८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>मुकुन्दलिंगालयदर्शने दृशौ तद्‍भृत्यगात्रस्पर्शेङ्‌गसंगमम् । घ्राणं च तत्पादसरोजसौरभे श्रीमत् तुलस्या रसनां तदर्पिते ॥ ९.४.१९ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>पादौ हरेः क्षेत्रपदानुसर्पणे शिरो हृषीकेश पदाभिवन्दने । कामं च दास्ये न तु कामकाम्यया यथोत्तमश्लोक जनाश्रया रतिः ॥ ९.४.२० ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 9, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA Adhyaya 4]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sa vai manaḥ kr̥ṣṇapadāravindayoḥ vacāṁsi vaikuṇṭhaguṇānuvarṇane ।'' </blockquote><blockquote>''karau harermandiramārjanādiṣu śrutiṁ cakārācyutasatkathodaye ॥ 9.4.18 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''mukundaliṁgālayadarśane dr̥śau tad‍bhr̥tyagātrasparśeṅ‌gasaṁgamam ।'' </blockquote><blockquote>''ghrāṇaṁ ca tatpādasarojasaurabhe śrīmat tulasyā rasanāṁ tadarpite ॥ 9.4.19 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''pādau hareḥ kṣetrapadānusarpaṇe śiro hr̥ṣīkeśa padābhivandane ।'' </blockquote><blockquote>''kāmaṁ ca dāsye na tu kāmakāmyayā yathottamaśloka janāśrayā ratiḥ ॥ 9.4.20 ॥''</blockquote>That is,

* He (Ambarisha) engaged his mind (in meditating) on the lotus-like feet of Shri Krishna, his speech in singing of the excellences of Shri Vishnu (Vaikuntha), his hands in services like cleansing the temple of Hari and other such duties, and his ears (sense of hearing) in listening to excellent stories of the Imperishable Supreme.

* He (Ambarisha) engaged his mind (in meditating) on the lotus-like feet of Shri Krishna, his speech in singing of the excellences of Shri Vishnu (Vaikuntha), his hands in services like cleansing the temple of Hari and other such duties, and his ears (sense of hearing) in listening to excellent stories of the Imperishable Supreme.

* He employed his eyes (faculty of seeing) in beholding the images and shrines of Shri Vishnu (Mukunda), his sense of touch in embracing the servants of the Supreme, his sense of smell in taking in the fragrance of the Tulasi leaves dedicated to His feet, and his tongue (sense of taste) to what is offered to the Supreme.

* He employed his eyes (faculty of seeing) in beholding the images and shrines of Shri Vishnu (Mukunda), his sense of touch in embracing the servants of the Supreme, his sense of smell in taking in the fragrance of the Tulasi leaves dedicated to His feet, and his tongue (sense of taste) to what is offered to the Supreme.

* He used his feet in walking to the holy places sanctified with Shri Hari's feet, his head to bow down to the feet of Shri Vishnu (Hrshikesha), his own desire in the humble services of the Supreme, and not for the fulfilment of his worldly desires. And all this he did for enhancing his fondness or devotion to the Supreme of excellent renown.<ref name=":6" /><ref>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1977), Srimad Bhagavatam ([http://prabhupadabooks.com/pdf/SB9.1.pdf Ninth Canto, Part One]), Bombay: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.</ref>

* He used his feet in walking to the holy places sanctified with Shri Hari's feet, his head to bow down to the feet of Shri Vishnu (Hrshikesha), his own desire in the humble services of the Supreme, and not for the fulfilment of his worldly desires. And all this he did for enhancing his fondness or devotion to the Supreme of excellent renown.<ref name=":6" /><ref>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1977), Srimad Bhagavatam ([http://prabhupadabooks.com/pdf/SB9.1.pdf Ninth Canto, Part One]), Bombay: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.</ref>

The Shiva Purana also enlists these 9 modes of bhakti albeit with slight variation in the order of enumeration.<ref name=":14">[https://archive.org/details/SivaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1/page/n385/mode/2up The Siva Purana (Part 1)], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref><blockquote>श्रवणं कीर्तनं चैव स्मरणं सेवनं तथा ।। दास्यं तथार्चनं देवि वंदनं मम सर्वदा ।। २.२.२३.२२ ।। सख्यमात्मार्पणं चेति नवांगानि विदुर्बुधाः ।।<ref>Shiva Purana, Samhita 2 (Rudra Samhita), Khanda 2 (Sati Khanda), [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%A8_(%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE)/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8_(%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 23]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ caiva smaraṇaṁ sevanaṁ tathā ।। dāsyaṁ tathārcanaṁ devi vaṁdanaṁ mama sarvadā ।। 2.2.23.22 ।। sakhyamātmārpaṇaṁ ceti navāṁgāni vidurbudhāḥ ।।''</blockquote>Meaning: O Goddess (Sati), according to scholars, the nine ancillary adjuncts (of bhakti) are: listening, eulogising, remembering, serving, surrendering, worshipping, saluting, friendliness and dedication.

The Bhagavata Purana enumerates Navavidha Bhakti as modes of worship to Bhagavan Vishnu<ref name=":6" />, while the Shiva Purana also enlists these very 9 modes of bhakti, albeit with slight variation in the order of enumeration, as forms of devotion to Lord Shiva.<ref name=":14">[https://archive.org/details/SivaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1/page/n385/mode/2up The Siva Purana (Part 1)], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>It says, <blockquote>श्रवणं कीर्तनं चैव स्मरणं सेवनं तथा ।। दास्यं तथार्चनं देवि वंदनं मम सर्वदा ।। २.२.२३.२२ ।। सख्यमात्मार्पणं चेति नवांगानि विदुर्बुधाः ।।<ref name=":15">Shiva Purana, Samhita 2 (Rudra Samhita), Khanda 2 (Sati Khanda), [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%A8_(%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE)/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8_(%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 23]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ caiva smaraṇaṁ sevanaṁ tathā ।। dāsyaṁ tathārcanaṁ devi vaṁdanaṁ mama sarvadā ।। 2.2.23.22 ।। sakhyamātmārpaṇaṁ ceti navāṁgāni vidurbudhāḥ ।।''</blockquote>Meaning: O Goddess (Sati), according to scholars, the nine ancillary adjuncts (of bhakti) are: listening, eulogising, remembering, serving, surrendering, worshipping, saluting, friendliness and dedication.

Speaking to Sati, Lord Shiva also enumerates the characteristics of each of these nine modes of worship.<ref name=":14" /> These nine modes of bhakti, in the order as enumerated in the Bhagavata Purana along with their characteristics given in the Shiva Purana are explained below.

Thus, Navavidha bhakti refers to the nine modes of bhakti  that can be adopted by a devotee to express and practice his devotion towards his Ishta devata.

 

In the Shiva Purana, speaking to Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva also enumerates the characteristics of each of these nine modes of worship.<ref name=":14" /> These nine modes of bhakti, in the order as enumerated in the Bhagavata Purana along with their characteristics given in the Shiva Purana are explained below.

=== श्रवणम् ॥ Shravana ===

=== श्रवणम् ॥ Shravana ===

Shravana refers to listening to the names, stories etc. of Vishnu.<ref name=":6" /> The Bhagavata Purana emphasizes that devotees should constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship Bhagavan, who is their protector. And the love for hearing the narratives of Vasudeva will be generated in those engaged in the service of devotees who are completely freed from all vice.<ref name=":11">A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1972), Srimad Bhagavatam ([http://prabhupadabooks.com/pdf/SB1.1.pdf First Canto, Part One]), Bombay: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.</ref><ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>तस्मादेकेन मनसा भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः । श्रोतव्यः कीर्तितव्यश्च ध्येयः पूज्यश्च नित्यदा ॥ १.२.१४ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>शुश्रूषोः श्रद्दधानस्य वासुदेवकथारुचिः । स्यान्महत्सेवया विप्राः पुण्यतीर्थनिषेवणात् ॥ १.२.१६ ॥<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>''tasmādekena manasā bhagavān sātvatāṁ patiḥ । śrotavyaḥ kīrtitavyaśca dhyeyaḥ pūjyaśca nityadā ॥ 1.2.14 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya vāsudevakathāruciḥ । syānmahatsevayā viprāḥ puṇyatīrthaniṣevaṇāt ॥ 1.2.16 ॥''</blockquote>In the following five verses, the Bhagavata Purana beautifully describes the Process of transformation within the heart that takes place as a result of shravana. It says, <blockquote>श्रृण्वतां स्वकथां कृष्णः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः । हृद्यन्तःस्थो ह्यभद्राणि विधुनोति सुहृत्सताम् ॥ १.२.१७ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>नष्टप्रायेष्वभद्रेषु नित्यं भागवतसेवया । भगवति उत्तमश्लोके भक्तिर्भवति नैष्ठिकी ॥ १.२.१८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तदा रजस्तमोभावाः कामलोभादयश्च ये । चेत एतैरनाविद्धं स्थितं सत्त्वे प्रसीदति ॥ १.२.१९ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>एवं प्रसन्नमनसो भगवद्‍भक्तियोगतः । भगवत् तत्त्वविज्ञानं मुक्तसङ्गस्य जायते ॥ १.२.२० ॥</blockquote><blockquote>भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिः छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः । क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि दृष्ट एवात्मनीश्वरे ॥ १.२.२१ ॥<ref name=":0">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 2]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''śrr̥ṇvatāṁ svakathāṁ kr̥ṣṇaḥ puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanaḥ । hr̥dyantaḥstho hyabhadrāṇi vidhunoti suhr̥tsatām ॥ 1.2.17 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''naṣṭaprāyeṣvabhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavatasevayā । bhagavati uttamaśloke bhaktirbhavati naiṣṭhikī ॥ 1.2.18 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tadā rajastamobhāvāḥ kāmalobhādayaśca ye । ceta etairanāviddhaṁ sthitaṁ sattve prasīdati ॥ 1.2.19 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''evaṁ prasannamanaso bhagavad‍bhaktiyogataḥ । bhagavat tattvavijñānaṁ muktasaṅgasya jāyate ॥ 1.2.20 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''bhidyate hr̥dayagranthiḥ chidyante sarvasaṁśayāḥ । kṣīyante cāsya karmāṇi dr̥ṣṭa evātmanīśvare ॥ 1.2.21 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning:  

Shravana refers to listening to the names, stories etc. of the Supreme Being.<ref name=":6" /> The Shiva Purana says that by listening is meant the imbibing of His stories that bestow worldly pleasures and salvation, with great devotion in steady posture.<ref name=":14" /><blockquote>मम भक्तेर्मनो दत्त्वा भक्ति मुक्तिप्रदानि हि ।। २.२.२३.२४ ।। कथादेर्नित्यसम्मानं कुर्वन्देहादिभिर्मुदा ।। स्थिरासनेन तत्पानं यत्तच्छ्रवणमुच्यते ।। २.२.२३.२५ ।।<ref name=":15" /></blockquote><blockquote>''mama bhaktermano dattvā bhakti muktipradāni hi ।। 2.2.23.24 ।। kathādernityasammānaṁ kurvandehādibhirmudā ।। sthirāsanena tatpānaṁ yattacchravaṇamucyate ।। 2.2.23.25 ।।''</blockquote>The Bhagavata Purana emphasizes that devotees should constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship Bhagavan, who is their protector. And the love for hearing the narratives of Vasudeva will be generated in those engaged in the service of devotees who are completely freed from all vice.<ref name=":11">A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1972), Srimad Bhagavatam ([http://prabhupadabooks.com/pdf/SB1.1.pdf First Canto, Part One]), Bombay: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.</ref><ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>तस्मादेकेन मनसा भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः । श्रोतव्यः कीर्तितव्यश्च ध्येयः पूज्यश्च नित्यदा ॥ १.२.१४ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>शुश्रूषोः श्रद्दधानस्य वासुदेवकथारुचिः । स्यान्महत्सेवया विप्राः पुण्यतीर्थनिषेवणात् ॥ १.२.१६ ॥<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>''tasmādekena manasā bhagavān sātvatāṁ patiḥ । śrotavyaḥ kīrtitavyaśca dhyeyaḥ pūjyaśca nityadā ॥ 1.2.14 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya vāsudevakathāruciḥ । syānmahatsevayā viprāḥ puṇyatīrthaniṣevaṇāt ॥ 1.2.16 ॥''</blockquote>In the following five verses, the Bhagavata Purana beautifully describes the Process of transformation within the heart that takes place as a result of shravana. It says, <blockquote>श्रृण्वतां स्वकथां कृष्णः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः । हृद्यन्तःस्थो ह्यभद्राणि विधुनोति सुहृत्सताम् ॥ १.२.१७ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>नष्टप्रायेष्वभद्रेषु नित्यं भागवतसेवया । भगवति उत्तमश्लोके भक्तिर्भवति नैष्ठिकी ॥ १.२.१८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तदा रजस्तमोभावाः कामलोभादयश्च ये । चेत एतैरनाविद्धं स्थितं सत्त्वे प्रसीदति ॥ १.२.१९ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>एवं प्रसन्नमनसो भगवद्‍भक्तियोगतः । भगवत् तत्त्वविज्ञानं मुक्तसङ्गस्य जायते ॥ १.२.२० ॥</blockquote><blockquote>भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिः छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः । क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि दृष्ट एवात्मनीश्वरे ॥ १.२.२१ ॥<ref name=":0">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 2]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''śrr̥ṇvatāṁ svakathāṁ kr̥ṣṇaḥ puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanaḥ । hr̥dyantaḥstho hyabhadrāṇi vidhunoti suhr̥tsatām ॥ 1.2.17 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''naṣṭaprāyeṣvabhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavatasevayā । bhagavati uttamaśloke bhaktirbhavati naiṣṭhikī ॥ 1.2.18 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tadā rajastamobhāvāḥ kāmalobhādayaśca ye । ceta etairanāviddhaṁ sthitaṁ sattve prasīdati ॥ 1.2.19 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''evaṁ prasannamanaso bhagavad‍bhaktiyogataḥ । bhagavat tattvavijñānaṁ muktasaṅgasya jāyate ॥ 1.2.20 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''bhidyate hr̥dayagranthiḥ chidyante sarvasaṁśayāḥ । kṣīyante cāsya karmāṇi dr̥ṣṭa evātmanīśvare ॥ 1.2.21 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning:  

* Shri Krishna who exists in the hearts of everyone and is the well-wisher of the good, cleanses all evil from the hearts of those who have developed the urge to listen to His narratives which are themselves meritorious when properly heard and chanted.  

* Shri Krishna who exists in the hearts of everyone and is the well-wisher of the good, cleanses all evil from the hearts of those who have developed the urge to listen to His narratives which are themselves meritorious when properly heard and chanted.  

* When evils are all destroyed from the heart by continuously listening to the Bhagavata and rendering services to the devotees of the Supreme, firm devotion to the Supreme being of excellent fame is established as an irrevocable fact.

* When evils are all destroyed from the heart by continuously listening to the Bhagavata and rendering services to the devotees of the Supreme, firm devotion to the Supreme being of excellent fame is established as an irrevocable fact.