Nine Processes of Bhakti-yoga - From Hearing to Surrender
The science of bhakti-yoga is a comprehensive system of spiritual realization that engages the active senses of the living entity in the service of the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this path is not merely theoretical but is a practical engagement starting from the basic principles of hearing and chanting and leading to the perfection of full surrender. By following these authorized methods, a devotee transcends the modes of material nature and revives their eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
Ninefold Process of Devotion
Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines that the practice of bhakti-yoga is comprised of nine distinct limbs, known as nava-vidhā bhakti. These processes, which include hearing, chanting, and remembering, are the means by which a devotee remains constantly connected to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, ensuring that every action is conducive to spiritual elevation.
- In bhakti-yoga it is recommended that a devotee follow nine principles; sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam, arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam - SB 7.5.23.
- A pure devotee is always transcendentally situated because of executing nine different processes of bhakti-yoga - sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam/ arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam - SB 7.5.23.
- This method (bhakti-yoga) includes nine items: hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping the Deity, praying, carrying out orders, serving Krsna as friend and sacrificing everything for Him.
Foundation: Hearing and Chanting
Among the nine processes, śravaṇaṁ (hearing) and kīrtanam (chanting) are identified as the primary and most essential steps. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that spiritual life begins when one lends their ear to the transcendental sound vibration of the holy name and the glories of the Lord, which then naturally leads to the chanting of the mahā-mantra.
- In any case, bhakti-yoga begins with hearing-sravanam kirtanam (SB 7.5.23). After one has heard from the right source and is convinced, one will automatically perform kirtana.
- All the great authorities of bhakti-yoga recommend the devotional process beginning with the chanting of the holy name of Krsna.
- Of the nine different items of bhakti-yoga, the first and foremost is to chant and hear about the Lord.
- Bhakti-yoga begins with sravanam kirtanam visnoh (SB 7.5.23), hearing and chanting of Lord Visnu's names, as in the maha-mantra - Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
Purification Through Engagement
Unlike other yoga systems that require artificial repression of the senses, bhakti-yoga purifies the senses by engaging them in activities centered on Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this positive engagement acts as a cleansing process, removing the anarthas or unwanted material desires from the heart and establishing the devotee in knowledge and detachment.
- Bhakti-yoga does not require us to destroy our senses, but to purify them. When the senses are purified, we can serve Krsna.
- Ahankara cannot be abolished. Ahankara will be there, but ahankara has to be cleansed. Therefore bhakti-marga, the path of bhakti-yoga, is the cleansing process, clearing process.
- Whatever abominable characteristics we have developed, if we want to counteract it, we have to take to bhakti-yoga only. Anartha. Anartha. We have developed so many anartha. We don't require it, but we have developed all these symptoms.
- By bhakti-yoga one can completely avoid the tendency for sinful life; other methods are not very feasible. Therefore the Vedic literature concludes that devotional service is more important than the methods of karma-kanda and jnana-kanda.
Perfection of Surrender
The culmination of the nine processes is ātma-nivedanam, or total surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that true yoga is incomplete without this surrender, where the devotee dedicates their body, mind, and words entirely to the service of the Lord, thereby achieving the highest perfection of life.
- Complete practice of yoga means bhakti-yoga; unless one comes to the point of bhakti-yoga, or surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one's yoga practice is not complete. This same point is corroborated in the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.
- The different parts of the bhakti-yoga system are accepting service to Him, carrying out His orders, making friendship with Him and ultimately surrendering everything for the service of the Lord.
- This transcendental science, bhakti-yoga, means to surrender unto the Supreme Lord. This is the simple thing. God is great and we are small.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that bhakti-yoga is the supreme science of self-realization, distinguished by its practical application of the ninefold process. Starting from the simple act of hearing and chanting, the soul is gradually cleansed of material contamination and guided toward the ultimate goal of full surrender. By adopting these processes, one does not merely repress the senses but spiritualizes them, making the path of bhakti both joyful and effective in delivering the conditioned soul back to their original position of eternal service to Kṛṣṇa.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Bhakti-yoga - Devotional Service to God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.