Shri Saibaba Sansthan,Shirdi                                                                         Shri Saileela Main Page

Navavidha Bhakti in Shri Sai Satcharita

Different ways of devotion have been described by various people. I (Hemadpant) will speak briefly of its nature and characteristics during the course of the narration according to my aptitude.      ll86ll        – C. 1

When the horse passed the nine balls of stool, the merchant eagerly went forward to collect them. Similarly the nine-fold devotion, when adopted, gives complete peace of mind. ll100ll 1) Listening 2) Singing the Lord’s praises aloud 3) Ramembering Lord Vishnu 4) Serving at His Feet 5) Offering prayers 6) Bowing down before Him 7) Being humble 8) Developing affection and 9) Surrendering the atma - these are the nine ways of devotion. ll95ll

                                                               – C. 21

This was the necklace of nine coins, which had been touched by Baba’s hands – indicating the nine types of devotion. This was the way Baba reminded him of it. ll213ll                                                                                 – C. 33

Baba said, in reply : “Once a merchant came along and at that time a horse passed nine balls of stool in front of him. ll87ll The merchant was very efficient. He immediately took off his wrap, and spread it out, collected all the balls and tied a knot and was able to achieve concentration of mind.” ll88ll The horse is God’s grace. This is how the puzzle of the nine-fold devotion could be explained. Without devotion one cannot have a union with God and knowledge will not be acquired. ll94ll                             – C. 21

When you listen to the story of Baba leaving His mortal coil, you will realise the novel way of doing charity, as He had given nine rupees at that time (to Lakshmibai). ll214ll         

– C. 33

Taking out from the pocket once five and then four rupees, He placed them on her hands. This was the last act of Baba. ll119ll Was it indicative of the nine types of devotion, or was it because of the worship of Ambika at Navaratra had been completed and it was the Seemolanghan ? Was it the dakshina of Seemolanghan ? ll120ll Or was Baba giving a reminder of the nine good qualities required of a disciple as told by Sree Krishna to Uddhava of the Shrimad Bhagvat ? ll121ll       –                   C. 42

Yet, if one has an acute desire for liberation, then perform only virtuous deeds always. Practise the nine forms of devotion, including listening to His stories etc. and one will be purified from within. ll57ll          

– C. 52

First Step – Sravan Bhakti

1     There is no greater devotion than listening to His stories. An attachment to the feet of the Guru is easily created by listening. A pure and clean mind is developed by it from which spirituality arises. ll21ll                                                                  – C. 39

2     By listening to His life story, sins will be destroyed. By listening to His life story, destiny will be fought. By listening to His life story, supreme happiness will be achieved effortlessly by the listeners. ll108ll By listening, the heart will become pure; by listening the cycle of birth and death will be avoided; by listening the listeners will achieve Brahman, which can be achieved by performing actions and offering the fruits to Brahman. ll109ll  

– C. 17