The Method, Mood, and Mellow of Bhakti
Method of Bhakti The method of bhakti is the practical process of devotional service, especially the nine processes of bhakti:
* Hearing about Krishna (Śravaṇam) * Chanting His names (Kīrtanam) * Remembering Him (Smaranam) * Serving His lotus feet (Pāda-sevanam) * Worship (Arcanam) * Prayers (Vandanam) * Servitude (Dāsyam) * Friendship (Sakhyam) * Complete surrender (Ātma-nivedanam)
Mood of Bhakti The mood of bhakti is loving service performed with:
* Humility * Sincerity * Dependence on Krishna * Desire to please Krishna rather than oneself
As taught by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:
“One should be humbler than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, and ready to offer respect to all.”
Mellow of Bhakti (Rasa) The mellow of bhakti is the devotee’s eternal loving relationship with Krishna:
* Shanta-rasa (reverence) * Dasya-rasa (servitude) * Sakhya-rasa (friendship) * Vatsalya-rasa (parental affection) * Madhurya-rasa (conjugal love)
