Stages of Bhakti Yoga

There are three stages to bhakti yogam, namely:

(i) Para bhakti

(ii) Para jnanam

(iii) Parama bhakti

Saamanya Bhakti, or ordinary bhakti, leads to Para bhakti, where the seeker of moksha known as the mumukshu develops a keen desire to experience the Lord after climbing up the ladders of Karma Yoga, Jnāna Yoga and necessarily realizing the nature of the jeevaathma and its relationship with the Paramātma. The second stage of bhakti-yoga is Para jnanam, in which the intense desire of para bhakti is rewarded by the Lord when He grants Paripurna sahakaaram, which is full of bliss and enjoyment of His presence for a limited period.

If, in this period, the practitioner develops a complete appetite for the Lord, His presence, and His form, then such a person becomes entitled to parama bhakti in which the mumukshu expresses his single desire, which is to be with the Lord at all times. The Lord acknowledges this desire and provides permanent saakshatkaaram wherein the Lord responds to any prayer made by the mumukshu granting him the final boon of eternal union with Himself or moksham.

The path of bhakti-yogam is very drawn out and often can start in one lifetime and continue to take roots in the following lifetimes. Hence, it becomes challenging to practice bhakti yogam in its entirety. Those who do not possess the knowledge or power to practice bhakti yogam in the time of kali-yugam are many. To help gain the fruits of bhakti-yogam, one can perform prapatti or sharanagati. The paths of prapatti are open to everyone and are not limited by any means to any varna-ashrama.

As prapatti or sharanagathi are the only alternatives to bhakti yogam, the acharyas now adopt this means for us to attain moksham.

Prapatti provides a simple and straightforward path that is bereft of the restrictions imposed by bhakti-yoga, which is very difficult and drawn out. There are three modes of prapatti, namely:

(i) Sva-Nishta: Applicable to the Āzhwārs, Āchāryas, and sages who have full knowledge of the Lord.

(ii) Ukti-Nishta: Applicable to others who get initiated through an Āchārya. The Āchārya initiates the seeker through an Archaamurthi of the Lord.

(iii) Āchārya-Nishta: Applicable to those who cannot adopt any of the above two categories. In this case, the aspirant surrenders to an Āchārya, and the Āchārya, through his compassion, prays to the Lord on his behalf to grant him moksham.