:: Bhakti and Bhakti Marg ::

Kinds of Bhakti

We are told that the first lucky persons who have practiced this kind of Pusti Bhakti lived in Vraj during the "Sarasvata Kalpa" (a distinct period during Manifestation of Sri Krishna). they are even today known as "Vraj Bhaktas".

The same Pusti Bhakti is revived by Sri Mahaprabhuji for the benefit of Pusti Jivas. The reason offered is : According to the contention of Sri Mahaprabhuji a jiva has an origin of Pusti. i.e., he has emanated form the body of Bhagavan, he is a special jiva of divine being, and he has been created for the seva of Sri Thakurji. There is no other reason for Pusti Jivas to live except Bhagavad seva. Hence Sri Mahaprabhuji has exposed Pusti Bhakti for Pusti Jivas.

We should try to understand on more difference between Maryada Bhakti and Pusti Bhakti under Maryada Bhakti. You have to step on nine steps as enumerated by sastras.

Katha sravana (listening to the episodes of Bhagavata). 2. Kirtan (praising the magnificience of divine being in songs). 3. Smarana (remembering God). 4. Vandana i.e., bowing before God. 5. Pada Sevana or worshipping the feet. 6. Archana or offering prayers or worship. 7. Desya sentiment of a servant. 8. Sakhya or commradeship. 9. Atma nivedana or surrendering one self. Thus we see that a Maryada Bhakta has to pass through eight processes of devotion before he reaches the stage where he dedicates everything to his Ista deity. In this way Maryada Bhakti has the backing of Sastras. HIS Ista is known as "Premayaā€¯. (A Premaya is an demonstrable object). The method used in the practice of nine steps of Bhakti are the means (Sadhana). The results obtained would be from gaining worldly benefits to reaching the stage of emancipation called Moksha.