Nine ways to God

Nine ways to God
Renuka Khandekar

For those of us who want to believe but don't quite know how, it may be useful to consider the nine kinds of Bhakti detailed in tradition. The beautiful thing about this menu is that we can select one or all. We are not required, it would seem, to address God in any commonly prescribed form. Rather, it is the attempt to seek the possibility of that Great Benevolent Force, that is gently encouraged in these nine paths. It is assumed weòf40ó do want to realise such a concept, because -- well, `because' seems to be a shatteringly profound debate in itself. So, granted that we acknowledge our need for God, here's how we might try to pack in some devotion:

Paraa Bhakti: Devotion that understands the Divine in its ultimate, mysterious form of Brahman, the Absolute Truth. This is scarily out of reach, by traditional reckoning, since it needs great learning and wisdom. In short, `jnana yogis' like the Buddha, Christ, Mohammed and Adi Sankara.

Aparaa Bhakti: Called Gauni Bhakti (from love of certain `gunas' or qualities of God), it is a `lower' but deeply beautiful level of belief. It is the popular face of Sanatana Dharma, where we are allowed to worship God as a personal deity or Ishta Devata. It has many levels, but the three most important are Bhaya Bhakti, Ananya Bhakti and Ekaanta Bhakti.

In the first grade, we are free to indulge in Bhaya Bhakti or external worship, where we venerate God as something represented outside ourselves -- in idols, òf40ótirthas and òf40ókshetras. Pilgrimages, sacred books and symbols are examples of this. Most popular religions do not seem to rise above this level. The cults to various deities are categorically Bhaya Bhakti -- a `Tamasik' or most basic form of faith. Ananya Bhakti (meaning `not another') is the passionate, `Rajasik' adherence to one's Ishta Devata. It is both intense and healthy monotheism, but the flip side should NOT be bigotry or cruelty to those who worship God differently.

Ekaanta Bhakti is the purest `Satvik' form of devotion, where we love God for God's own, sweet sake, rather than for gifts bestowed. Believers see God with them at all places, in both good and bad times and never indulge in any name-calling when clouds gather.

The practical expressions of Bhakti are nine and each has its own power to soothe, energise and transform:

Sravana: Hearing stories of God's lila or divine play. This fires the imagination.

Kirtana: Singing God's praise. It pleases the mind and purifies the heart of malice and sorrow through good vibrations.

Smarana: Remembering God's name in a jam or in happy times also calms us with the perspective that life is made of good times and bad.

Padasevana: Service of God's feet. The loveliest analogy for serving (being helpful and kind) to our fellow beings.

Archana: Worship through flowers, incense -- you know the drill. It's useful because it's beautiful!

Vandana: Respect for all forms of Life, which are God's creation.

Daasya: Seva. Service in the temple, to the poor, sick and needy. We burn ourselves up in this practical caring and achieve Helper's High.

Sakhya: Friendship with the Lord. At a user-friendly level, God is a beloved intimate to whom we whinge and whine, but also thank tearfully for a bit of luck. Anything we do -- study, work, tip a beggar, volunteer work -- we do for our friend. Nothing is truly ours, it is all a gift of grace.

Atma Nivedana: Complete self-surrender. Like kittens (maarjara), where you don't stop plugging the dike or mending the fence, but do it all with serene cheer that God will make sure that nothing truly dreadful happens to you!