Bhakti Yoga Explained - 9 Forms of Devotion You Can Practice Today
Bhakti means devotion. But in the Bhagavad Gita, it’s not about blind worship. It’s about cultivating a loving connection with the Divine... however you define it.
The Nine Forms of Bhakti (Navadha Bhakti)
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Shravanam – Listening to sacred teachings
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Kirtanam – Singing praises
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Smaranam – Remembering the Divine
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Padasevanam – Serving with humility
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Archanam – Offering rituals or flowers
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Vandanam – Bowing in respect
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Dasyam – Seeing yourself as a servant of the Divine
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Sakhyam – Relating to the Divine as a friend
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Atmanivedanam – Complete surrender
How to Practice Bhakti Today
You don’t need an ashram. You can-
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Play devotional music during your commute (Shravanam).
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Light a diya before meals (Archanam).
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Dedicate a small act of kindness to something greater (Padasevanam).
The Science Behind Devotion
Modern psychology calls it “flow state.” Ancient texts call it Bhakti. Both describe the same thing: losing yourself in love and finding peace in return.
As the Bhagavata Purana says:
“स वै पुम्सां परो धर्मो यतो भक्तिरधोक्षजे।”
The highest path is that which awakens loving devotion.
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