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Navavidha Bhakti (Samskrit: नवविधा भक्तिः) refers to the nine modes of worship that helps one to develop Bhakti viz. Shravana (hearing the Lila of the Supreme), Kirtana (singing His praise), Smarana (remembering His name), Padasevana (worshipping His Lotus Feet), Archana (offerings), Vandana (prostration), Dasya (service), Sakhya (friendship) and Atma-nivedana (complete self-surrender).<ref name=":9">Swami Sivananda Saraswati (1937), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217437/page/n45/mode/2up Practice of Bhakti Yoga], Amritsar: Editor, Ideal Home Magazine.</ref>

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Navavidha Bhakti (Samskrit: नवविधा भक्तिः) refers to the nine modes of worship that helps one to develop [[Bhakti (भक्तिः)|Bhakti]] viz. Shravana (hearing the Lila of the Supreme), Kirtana (singing His praise), Smarana (remembering His name), Padasevana (worshipping His Lotus Feet), Archana (offerings), Vandana (prostration), Dasya (service), Sakhya (friendship) and Atma-nivedana (complete self-surrender).<ref name=":9">Swami Sivananda Saraswati (1937), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217437/page/n45/mode/2up Practice of Bhakti Yoga], Amritsar: Editor, Ideal Home Magazine.</ref>

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

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Shri Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, has time and again emphasized that the Supreme being in whom all beings abide and by whom everything is pervaded, may be reached by unswerving devotion to Him alone. That, the Supreme being may be perceived, known and seen in His essence and entered therewith by devotion solely towards Him.<ref name=":9" /><blockquote>पुरुषः स परः पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया । यस्यान्तःस्थानि भूतानि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ॥८.२२॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 8 (Aksharabrahma Yoga)]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन । ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परंतप ॥११.५४॥<ref name=":10" /></blockquote><blockquote>''puruṣaḥ sa paraḥ pārtha bhaktyā labhyastvananyayā । yasyāntaḥsthāni bhūtāni yena sarvamidaṁ tatam ॥8.22॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''bhaktyā tvananyayā śakya ahamevaṁvidho'rjuna । jñātuṁ draṣṭuṁ ca tattvena praveṣṭuṁ ca paraṁtapa ॥11.54॥''</blockquote>That is why, Shri Krishna says,<blockquote>मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु । मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे ॥१८.६५॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga)]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī māṁ namaskuru । māmevaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo'si me ॥18.65॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Merge your mind in Me, be My devotee, perform yajnas for Me, prostrate yourself before Me, you shall surely come to Me. I assure you. It is true that you are dear to Me.

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Shri Krishna, in the [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]], has time and again emphasized that the Supreme being in whom all beings abide and by whom everything is pervaded, may be reached by unswerving devotion to Him alone. That, the Supreme being may be perceived, known and seen in His essence and entered therewith by devotion solely towards Him.<ref name=":9" /><blockquote>पुरुषः स परः पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया । यस्यान्तःस्थानि भूतानि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ॥८.२२॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 8 (Aksharabrahma Yoga)]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन । ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परंतप ॥११.५४॥<ref name=":10" /></blockquote><blockquote>''puruṣaḥ sa paraḥ pārtha bhaktyā labhyastvananyayā । yasyāntaḥsthāni bhūtāni yena sarvamidaṁ tatam ॥8.22॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''bhaktyā tvananyayā śakya ahamevaṁvidho'rjuna । jñātuṁ draṣṭuṁ ca tattvena praveṣṭuṁ ca paraṁtapa ॥11.54॥''</blockquote>That is why, Shri Krishna says,<blockquote>मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु । मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे ॥१८.६५॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga)]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī māṁ namaskuru । māmevaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo'si me ॥18.65॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Merge your mind in Me, be My devotee, perform [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]] for Me, prostrate yourself before Me, you shall surely come to Me. I assure you. It is true that you are dear to Me.

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That is why, Bhakti marga is considered the easiest, safest, surest and quickest way for attaining highest bliss or Supreme-realization.<ref name=":9" /> The Shiva Purana states that there is no other path as easy and pleasing as devotion in the three worlds, in all the four Yugas generally and in Kaliyuga in particular.<ref name=":14" /><blockquote>त्रैलोक्ये भक्तिसदृशः पंथा नास्ति सुखावहः ।। चतुर्युगेषु देवेशि कलौ तु सुविशेषतः ।। २.२.२३.३८ ।।<ref name=":15" /></blockquote><blockquote>''trailokye bhaktisadr̥śaḥ paṁthā nāsti sukhāvahaḥ ।। caturyugeṣu deveśi kalau tu suviśeṣataḥ ।। 2.2.23.38 ।।''</blockquote>In fact, Maharshi Narada states that “Bhakti is greater than karma, jnana and yoga.”<blockquote>सा तु कर्मज्ञानयोगेभ्योऽप्यधिकतरा ॥२५॥ ''sā tu karmajñānayogebhyo'pyadhikatarā ॥25॥''</blockquote>Further more, the Narada Bhakti Sutra also states that Bhakti develops by hearing and singing the virtues and attributes of the Supreme being.<blockquote>लोकेऽपि भगवद्गुणश्रवणकीर्तनात् ॥३७॥<ref name=":9" /> ''loke'pi bhagavadguṇaśravaṇakīrtanāt ॥37॥''</blockquote>

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That is why, Bhakti marga is considered the easiest, safest, surest and quickest way for attaining highest bliss or Supreme-realization.<ref name=":9" /> The Shiva Purana states that there is no other path as easy and pleasing as devotion in the three worlds, in all the four Yugas generally and in Kaliyuga in particular.<ref name=":14" /><blockquote>त्रैलोक्ये भक्तिसदृशः पंथा नास्ति सुखावहः ।। चतुर्युगेषु देवेशि कलौ तु सुविशेषतः ।। २.२.२३.३८ ।।<ref name=":15" /></blockquote><blockquote>''trailokye bhaktisadr̥śaḥ paṁthā nāsti sukhāvahaḥ ।। caturyugeṣu deveśi kalau tu suviśeṣataḥ ।। 2.2.23.38 ।।''</blockquote>In fact, [[Narada (नारदः)|Maharshi Narada]] states that “Bhakti is greater than karma, jnana and yoga.”<blockquote>सा तु कर्मज्ञानयोगेभ्योऽप्यधिकतरा ॥२५॥ ''sā tu karmajñānayogebhyo'pyadhikatarā ॥25॥''</blockquote>Further more, the Narada Bhakti Sutra also states that Bhakti develops by hearing and singing the virtues and attributes of the Supreme being.<blockquote>लोकेऽपि भगवद्गुणश्रवणकीर्तनात् ॥३७॥<ref name=":9" /> ''loke'pi bhagavadguṇaśravaṇakīrtanāt ॥37॥''</blockquote>

== नवविधा भक्तिः ॥ Navavidha Bhakti ==

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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 -

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In the Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 7, Adhyaya 5) when Hiranyakashipu asks [[Prahlada (प्रह्लादः)|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

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

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#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.

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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,

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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 (अम्बरीषः)|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 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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=== कीर्तनम् ॥ Kirtana ===

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Kirtana refers to singing the name and glories of the Supreme Being.<ref name=":6" /> The Shiva Purana explains that loudly and cheerfully proclaiming the details of the Supreme Being's manifestations and activities, after having envisaged the same in the mind, is referred to as Kirtana or Eulogising.<ref name=":14" /> It says,<blockquote>हृदाकाशेन संपश्यञ् जन्मकर्माणि वै मम ।। प्रीत्याचोच्चारणं तेषामेतत्कीर्तनमुच्यते ।। २.२.२३.२६ ।।<ref name=":15" /></blockquote><blockquote>''hr̥dākāśena saṁpaśyañ janmakarmāṇi vai mama ।। prītyācoccāraṇaṁ teṣāmetatkīrtanamucyate ।। 2.2.23.26 ।।''</blockquote>It is said that in the Kali Yuga, Moksha is attained by Kirtana or singing the praises of the Supreme.<ref name=":9" /> The Kali Satarana Upanishad belonging to the Krishna Yajurveda says that at the end of the Dvapara Yuga, Narada approached Brahma and requested him to enlighten him on the path he should follow to alleviate the detrimental effects of Kali Yuga. At that time, Brahma said that by way of taking the name of the Supreme Being Narayana, all the tribulations of Kali Yuga will be washed away.<ref name=":12">Bijoy Ghosh (2018), [https://www.anantaajournal.com/archives/2018/vol4issue1/PartB/4-1-22-454.pdf A Critical study of the Vaisnavaite Upanisads of later origin], International Journal of Sanskrit Research.</ref><blockquote>भगवत आदिपुरुषस्य नारायणस्य नामोच्चारणमात्रेण निर्धूतकलिर्भवतीति ॥ १ ॥<ref name=":13" /></blockquote><blockquote>''bhagavata ādipuruṣasya nārāyaṇasya nāmoccāraṇamātreṇa nirdhūtakalirbhavatīti ॥ 1 ॥''</blockquote>Moreover, it enumerates the sixteen worded mantra to be chanted, its greatness and effect as follows:<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे । हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे ॥</blockquote><blockquote>इति षोडशकं नाम्नां कलिकल्मषनाशनम् । नातः परतरोपायः सर्ववेदेषु दृश्यते ॥<ref name=":13">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Kali Santarana Upanishad]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare । hare kr̥ṣṇa hare kr̥ṣṇa kr̥ṣṇa kr̥ṣṇa hare hare ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''iti ṣoḍaśakaṁ nāmnāṁ kalikalmaṣanāśanam । nātaḥ parataropāyaḥ sarvavedeṣu dr̥śyate ॥''</blockquote>The Brhannaradiya Purana also mentions the name of 'Hari' as the sole redeemer of people in the age of Kali. For, Kali fails to affect those engaged in the chanting of the name of Hari.<blockquote>हरिनामपरान् मर्त्यान् न कलिर्बाधते क्वचित् ॥१२६॥ हरेर्नामैव नामैव नामैव मम जीवनम् । कलौ नास्त्येव नास्त्येव नास्त्येव गतिरन्यथा ॥१२७॥<ref>Pandita Hrishikeshashastri (1975), [https://archive.org/details/BrihanNaradiyaPurana/page/n561/mode/1up Brhannaradiya Puranam], Varanasi: Chaukhamba Amarabharati Prakashan.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''harināmaparān martyān na kalirbādhate kvacit ॥126॥ harernāmaiva nāmaiva nāmaiva mama jīvanam । kalau nāstyeva nāstyeva nāstyeva gatiranyathā ॥127॥''</blockquote>

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Kirtana refers to singing the name and glories of the Supreme Being.<ref name=":6" /> The Shiva Purana explains that loudly and cheerfully proclaiming the details of the Supreme Being's manifestations and activities, after having envisaged the same in the mind, is referred to as Kirtana or Eulogising.<ref name=":14" /> It says,<blockquote>हृदाकाशेन संपश्यञ् जन्मकर्माणि वै मम ।। प्रीत्याचोच्चारणं तेषामेतत्कीर्तनमुच्यते ।। २.२.२३.२६ ।।<ref name=":15" /></blockquote><blockquote>''hr̥dākāśena saṁpaśyañ janmakarmāṇi vai mama ।। prītyācoccāraṇaṁ teṣāmetatkīrtanamucyate ।। 2.2.23.26 ।।''</blockquote>It is said that in the Kali Yuga, [[Moksha (मोक्षः)|Moksha]] is attained by Kirtana or singing the praises of the Supreme.<ref name=":9" /> The Kali Satarana Upanishad belonging to the Krishna Yajurveda says that at the end of the Dvapara Yuga, Narada approached [[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|Brahma]] and requested him to enlighten him on the path he should follow to alleviate the detrimental effects of Kali Yuga. At that time, Brahma said that by way of taking the name of the Supreme Being Narayana, all the tribulations of Kali Yuga will be washed away.<ref name=":12">Bijoy Ghosh (2018), [https://www.anantaajournal.com/archives/2018/vol4issue1/PartB/4-1-22-454.pdf A Critical study of the Vaisnavaite Upanisads of later origin], International Journal of Sanskrit Research.</ref><blockquote>भगवत आदिपुरुषस्य नारायणस्य नामोच्चारणमात्रेण निर्धूतकलिर्भवतीति ॥ १ ॥<ref name=":13" /></blockquote><blockquote>''bhagavata ādipuruṣasya nārāyaṇasya nāmoccāraṇamātreṇa nirdhūtakalirbhavatīti ॥ 1 ॥''</blockquote>Moreover, it enumerates the sixteen worded mantra to be chanted, its greatness and effect as follows:<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे । हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे ॥</blockquote><blockquote>इति षोडशकं नाम्नां कलिकल्मषनाशनम् । नातः परतरोपायः सर्ववेदेषु दृश्यते ॥<ref name=":13">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Kali Santarana Upanishad]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare । hare kr̥ṣṇa hare kr̥ṣṇa kr̥ṣṇa kr̥ṣṇa hare hare ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''iti ṣoḍaśakaṁ nāmnāṁ kalikalmaṣanāśanam । nātaḥ parataropāyaḥ sarvavedeṣu dr̥śyate ॥''</blockquote>The Brhannaradiya Purana also mentions the name of 'Hari' as the sole redeemer of people in the age of Kali. For, Kali fails to affect those engaged in the chanting of the name of Hari.<blockquote>हरिनामपरान् मर्त्यान् न कलिर्बाधते क्वचित् ॥१२६॥ हरेर्नामैव नामैव नामैव मम जीवनम् । कलौ नास्त्येव नास्त्येव नास्त्येव गतिरन्यथा ॥१२७॥<ref>Pandita Hrishikeshashastri (1975), [https://archive.org/details/BrihanNaradiyaPurana/page/n561/mode/1up Brhannaradiya Puranam], Varanasi: Chaukhamba Amarabharati Prakashan.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''harināmaparān martyān na kalirbādhate kvacit ॥126॥ harernāmaiva nāmaiva nāmaiva mama jīvanam । kalau nāstyeva nāstyeva nāstyeva gatiranyathā ॥127॥''</blockquote>

=== स्मरणम् ॥ Smarana ===

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Smarana means to remember the Supreme (His name).<ref name=":6" /> Interestingly, the Shiva Purana emphasizes that Smarana is not mere rememberance, it is also a feeling of fearlessness that arises after realizing the all-pervasive nature of the Supreme being.<ref name=":14" /> It says, <blockquote>व्यापकं देवि मां दृष्ट्वा नित्यं सर्वत्र सर्वदा ।। निर्भयत्वं सदा लोके स्मरणं तदुदाहृतम् ।। २.२.२३.२७ ।।<ref name=":15" /></blockquote><blockquote>''vyāpakaṁ devi māṁ dr̥ṣṭvā nityaṁ sarvatra sarvadā ।। nirbhayatvaṁ sadā loke smaraṇaṁ tadudāhr̥tam ।। 2.2.23.27 ।।''</blockquote>Moreover, it is said that Smarana of the Supreme must be continuous like the flow of oil (तैलधारावत् ॥ ''tailadhārāvat''). For, if there is a break, desires, immoral thoughts and worldly temptations will try to enter the mind and ransack the antahkarana. Mind will be overcome by rajas and tamas and there will be resurrection of old trishnas and vasanas. That is the reason why Shri Krishna says, “At all times think of Me.”<ref name=":9" /> And such devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of Narayana, never fear any condition of life. For them svarga, apavarga (liberation) and naraka are all the same.<ref>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1976), [http://prabhupadabooks.com/pdf/SB6.3.pdf Srimad Bhagavatam (Sixth Canto)], Bombay: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.</ref><blockquote>नारायणपराः सर्वे न कुतश्चन बिभ्यति । स्वर्गापवर्गनरकेषु अपि तुल्यार्थदर्शिनः ॥ ६.१७.२८ ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 6, [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%AC/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AD Adhyaya 17]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''nārāyaṇaparāḥ sarve na kutaścana bibhyati । svargāpavarganarakeṣu api tulyārthadarśinaḥ ॥ 6.17.28 ॥''</blockquote>

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Smarana means to remember the Supreme (His name).<ref name=":6" /> Interestingly, the Shiva Purana emphasizes that Smarana is not mere rememberance, it is also a feeling of fearlessness that arises after realizing the all-pervasive nature of the Supreme being.<ref name=":14" /> It says, <blockquote>व्यापकं देवि मां दृष्ट्वा नित्यं सर्वत्र सर्वदा ।। निर्भयत्वं सदा लोके स्मरणं तदुदाहृतम् ।। २.२.२३.२७ ।।<ref name=":15" /></blockquote><blockquote>''vyāpakaṁ devi māṁ dr̥ṣṭvā nityaṁ sarvatra sarvadā ।। nirbhayatvaṁ sadā loke smaraṇaṁ tadudāhr̥tam ।। 2.2.23.27 ।।''</blockquote>Moreover, it is said that Smarana of the Supreme must be continuous like the flow of oil (तैलधारावत् ॥ ''tailadhārāvat''). For, if there is a break, desires, immoral thoughts and worldly temptations will try to enter the mind and ransack the antahkarana. Mind will be overcome by [[Rajas (रजः)|rajas]] and [[Tamas (तमः)|tamas]] and there will be resurrection of old trishnas and vasanas. That is the reason why Shri Krishna says, “At all times think of Me.”<ref name=":9" /> And such devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of Narayana, never fear any condition of life. For them [[Svarga (स्वर्गः)|svarga]], apavarga (liberation) and naraka are all the same.<ref>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1976), [http://prabhupadabooks.com/pdf/SB6.3.pdf Srimad Bhagavatam (Sixth Canto)], Bombay: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.</ref><blockquote>नारायणपराः सर्वे न कुतश्चन बिभ्यति । स्वर्गापवर्गनरकेषु अपि तुल्यार्थदर्शिनः ॥ ६.१७.२८ ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 6, [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%AC/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AD Adhyaya 17]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''nārāyaṇaparāḥ sarve na kutaścana bibhyati । svargāpavarganarakeṣu api tulyārthadarśinaḥ ॥ 6.17.28 ॥''</blockquote>

=== पादसेवनम् ॥ Padasevana ===

Padasevana refers to rendering service to the lotus feet of the Supreme Being.<ref name=":6" /> Describing the divine feet of Balarama and Shri Krishna, the Bhagavata Purana says, <blockquote>ध्वजवज्राङ्‌कुशाम्भोजैः चिह्नितैरङ्‌घ्रिभिर्व्रजम् । शोभयन्तौ महात्मानौ सानुक्रोशस्मितेक्षणौ ॥ १०.३८.३० ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 10, [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%A5%A6/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%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%A9%E0%A5%AE Adhyaya 38]</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>''dhvajavajrāṅ‌kuśāmbhojaiḥ cihnitairaṅ‌ghribhirvrajam । śobhayantau mahātmānau sānukrośasmitekṣaṇau ॥ 10.38.30 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: The great noble pair of brothers ornamented the ground in Vraja with the prints of their feet marked with the signs of a banner, a Vajra, a goad and a lotus and their smiling eyes expressed compassion.<ref name=":2">[https://cloudup.com/cv8FRMpN9T8 The Bhagavata Purana (Part IV)], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>

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Vandana refers to paying obeisance to the Supreme Being.<ref name=":6" /> Explaining Vandana, Shiva Purana says,<blockquote>मन्त्रोच्चारणध्यानाभ्यां मनसा वचसा क्रमात् ।। यदष्टांगेन भूस्पर्शं तद्वै वंदनमुच्यते ।।२.२.२३.३१।।<ref name=":15" /></blockquote><blockquote>''mantroccāraṇadhyānābhyāṁ manasā vacasā kramāt ।। yadaṣṭāṁgena bhūsparśaṁ tadvai vaṁdanamucyate ।।2.2.23.31।।''</blockquote>Meaning: Meditating in the mind, repeating the mantras and touching the ground with eight limbs (ie. offering ashtanga pranama) is called Vandana or saluting.<ref name=":14" />

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There are many examples of devotees who practiced Bhakti through Vandana and were abundantly blessed by the Supreme. The Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 10, Adhyaya 40) describes how Akrura was blessed with the divine vision of Shri Krishna and Balarama as Vishnu and Adi Shesha on the banks of the river Yamuna as he descended into the waters to perform his regular obeisance. As Akrura bowed down to them, overwhelmed with intense devotion and tears of joy, there was an outpouring of Bhagavad stuti. The concluding verse of Akrura's salutations to Vasudeva is as follows.<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>नमस्ते वासुदेवाय सर्वभूतक्षयाय च । हृषीकेश नमस्तुभ्यं प्रपन्नं पाहि मां प्रभो ॥ १०.४०.३० ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 10, [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%A5%A6/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%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%AA%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya 40]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''namaste vāsudevāya sarvabhūtakṣayāya ca । hr̥ṣīkeśa namastubhyaṁ prapannaṁ pāhi māṁ prabho ॥ 10.40.30 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva, the refuge of all beings. Oh Hrshikesha ! I bow down to you. Oh Prabhu ! Be pleased to protect me who has approached your feet.<ref name=":2" />

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There are many examples of devotees who practiced Bhakti through Vandana and were abundantly blessed by the Supreme. The Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 10, Adhyaya 40) describes how Akrura was blessed with the divine vision of Shri Krishna and Balarama as Vishnu and [[Adishesha (आदिशेषः)|Adi Shesha]] on the banks of the river Yamuna as he descended into the waters to perform his regular obeisance. As Akrura bowed down to them, overwhelmed with intense devotion and tears of joy, there was an outpouring of Bhagavad stuti. The concluding verse of Akrura's salutations to Vasudeva is as follows.<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>नमस्ते वासुदेवाय सर्वभूतक्षयाय च । हृषीकेश नमस्तुभ्यं प्रपन्नं पाहि मां प्रभो ॥ १०.४०.३० ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 10, [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%A5%A6/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%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%AA%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya 40]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''namaste vāsudevāya sarvabhūtakṣayāya ca । hr̥ṣīkeśa namastubhyaṁ prapannaṁ pāhi māṁ prabho ॥ 10.40.30 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva, the refuge of all beings. Oh Hrshikesha ! I bow down to you. Oh Prabhu ! Be pleased to protect me who has approached your feet.<ref name=":2" />

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Another example of a Bhakta who was firmly resolved in the practice of Bhagavad Vandana was Kunti. It is well-known that Shri Krishna saved the fetus in the womb of Abhimanyu's wife Uttara from the Brahmastra released by Ashvatthama. It is said that the Brahmastra that is irresistible and uncounteractable became inactive when it came in contact with the lustre of Vishnu. At that very moment, Kunti who was also saved along with Draupadi and the Pandavas from the Brahmastra paid obeisance to Shri Krishna as follows:<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>नमस्ये पुरुषं त्वाऽऽद्यं ईश्वरं प्रकृतेः परम् । अलक्ष्यं सर्वभूतानां अन्तर्बहिरवस्थितम् ॥ १.८.१८ ॥<ref name=":4">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%AE Adhyaya 8]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''namasye puruṣaṁ tvā<nowiki>''</nowiki>dyaṁ īśvaraṁ prakr̥teḥ param । alakṣyaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ antarbahiravasthitam ॥ 1.8.18 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: I bow down to you the foremost Purusha (the cause of world), the Lord (of the universe), who is beyond Prakrti, imperceptible yet pervading all beings from within and without.

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Another example of a Bhakta who was firmly resolved in the practice of Bhagavad Vandana was Kunti. It is well-known that Shri Krishna saved the fetus in the womb of Abhimanyu's wife Uttara from the Brahmastra released by Ashvatthama. It is said that the Brahmastra that is irresistible and uncounteractable became inactive when it came in contact with the lustre of Vishnu. At that very moment, Kunti who was also saved along with Draupadi and the Pandavas from the Brahmastra paid obeisance to Shri Krishna as follows:<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>नमस्ये पुरुषं त्वाऽऽद्यं ईश्वरं प्रकृतेः परम् । अलक्ष्यं सर्वभूतानां अन्तर्बहिरवस्थितम् ॥ १.८.१८ ॥<ref name=":4">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%AE Adhyaya 8]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''namasye puruṣaṁ tvā<nowiki>''</nowiki>dyaṁ īśvaraṁ prakr̥teḥ param । alakṣyaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ antarbahiravasthitam ॥ 1.8.18 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: I bow down to you the foremost [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]] (the cause of world), the Lord (of the universe), who is beyond [[Prakrti (प्रकृतिः)|Prakrti]], imperceptible yet pervading all beings from within and without.

In fact, so strong was her belief and devotion in Krishna that she prayed to be blessed with calamity at every step of life, always, so that she is blessed with the darshan of the Supreme, who has always been prompt in coming to the rescue of his devotees at very step, and thereby, get released from the cycle of rebirths.<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>विपदः सन्तु ताः शश्वत् तत्र तत्र जगद्‍गुरो । भवतो दर्शनं यत्स्याद् अपुनर्भवदर्शनम् ॥ १.८.२५ ॥<ref name=":4" /></blockquote><blockquote>''vipadaḥ santu tāḥ śaśvat tatra tatra jagad‍guro । bhavato darśanaṁ yatsyād apunarbhavadarśanam ॥ 1.8.25 ॥''</blockquote>

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== References ==

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[[Category:Darshanas]]

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[[Category:Sampradayas]]

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[[Category:Vedanta]]

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[[Category:Puranas]]

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