Navadha Bhakti

After marrying Parameshwara, Sati Devi spent many happy years in Kailasa. One day, she approached Mahadeva with folded hands and said,
'My married life has brought me complete happiness and satisfaction. Now, please guide me on the path to attain the ultimate truth.'

Bhagavan replied:
'The understanding that 'I am the Supreme Brahman' is true knowledge. This knowledge frees one from all sorrows and brings ultimate bliss and peace. With this realization, the intellect becomes pure. However, achieving this realization is not easy. It begins with devotion to me.

When someone has true and unwavering devotion, the awareness of the Supreme Self naturally arises. Scriptures mention devotion in many ways, but nine forms of devotion are most important:

श्रवणं कीर्तनं चैव स्मरणं सेवनं तथा । दास्यं तथार्चनं देवि वन्दनं मम सर्वदा  ।

सख्यमात्मार्पणं चेति नवाङ्गानि विदुर्बुधाः ।

I will  explain these to you:

1. Listening (Shravanam): Listening to my glories and stories with a calm and focused mind.
2. Praising (Kirtanam): Praising and spreading  my greatness.
3. Remembering (Smaranam): Constantly thinking of me and realizing that I am present everywhere.
4. Serving (Sevanam): Serving me at all times through mind, words, and actions, with love and dedication.
5. Being a Servant (Dasyam): Considering onerself as my servant and following my will in everything you do.
6. Worshiping (Archanam): Worshiping me with sincerity and according to  one’s  ability following procedures prescribed in the shastras.
7. Reverence (Vandanam): Offering respect to me through prayers, hymns, and physical prostration.
8. Friendship (Sakhyam): Trusting that everything I do is for one’s ultimate good, just like a true friend.
9. Surrender (Atmarpanam): Surrendering oneself completely to me, without worrying about what lies ahead.

You can follow any one of these or a combination of them. This is enough to bring wisdom and realization of the Supreme Self. I deeply cherish such devotees. Devotion brings immediate blessings. I always protect my devotees, remove their obstacles, and punish those who trouble them. For my devotees, I can do anything, even use the fire of my third eye. I am always under the control of  my devotees.'

In this way, Lord Shiva explained the essence of devotion to Sati Devi.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi