The 6 Stages of Devotional Service

(written on February 14, 2020)

• Sraddha: Faith. In this case, shraddha means meager, preliminary faith in the practice of bhakti yoga. In order for one to actually begin in the transcendental path of bhakti, one needs to develop small faith in the process. This will bring one to the stage of trying to associate with those who are spiritually elevated.

• Sadhu-sanga: Association with devotees. Sadhu means great devotee and sanga means association. Once one has small faith, they must associate with pure devotees. Association with devotees is key as it lifts one from the modes of passion and ignorance to the mode of goodness. There are two stages of this phase itself: one is attempting to associate with devotees and the next stage is to take initiation from a bonafide spiritual master.

• Bhajana-kriya: Performance of devotional service. In this stage, one begins to perform devotional service under the instruction of the spiritual master. One practice spiritual devotional service like chanting, deity worship, cleaning the temple, cooking for the Lord, etc. Under the guidance of the elevated devotees, one continues to perfect their devotional service. This is like the stage of practicing or perfecting to attain love of Godhead.

• Anartha nivritti: Decreasing of unwanted attachments. This is often the longest stage. Anarthas are bad characteristics or unwanted things that we possess. Nivritti means to diminish or to get rid of. This means getting rid of habits such as meat eating, illicit relationships, gambling, and intoxication. Only when one gets rid of these anarthas can they be fixed in devotional service. Otherwise, the living entity will be constantly pulled down by Maya’s notorious distractions. These anarthas are removed while the devotee continues to perform devotional service (bhajana kriya).

• Nistha: Steadiness. Once one comes to this stage, they are firmly fixed in their faith for Krishna consciousness. They do not have any unwanted habits and hence they do not waver in their faith.

• Ruchi: Taste. In this stage one gets a taste of devotional service and chanting. In other words, the living entity develops a liking and strives to perform devotional service.

• Asakti: Attachment. Those in this stage never want to leave Krishna or stop engaging in Krishna conscious activities such as chanting and performing other types of devotional services.

• Bhava: Love or emotion. In this stage, when one sees anything, they will relate it with Krishna. In CC Madhya Lila 23.13, Srila Prabhupada explains how this stage is compared to that of a seed fructifying.

• Prema: Pure love for Krsna. In this stage one is completely absorbed in love of Godhead, and there is no chance of falling down. Srila Prabhupada explains in CC Madhya Lila 23.13 that, “When rati [affection] intensifies, it is called love of Godhead. This love of Godhead is actually life’s highest perfection and the reservoir of all pleasure.”