Prahlad Maharaj has described the nine processes that are accepted as pure devotional service, which are the means for obtaining love of Kṛṣṇa
ŚB 7.5.23-24
śrī-prahrāda uvāca
śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ
smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam
arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ
sakhyam ātma-nivedanam
iti puṁsārpitā viṣṇau
bhaktiś cen nava-lakṣaṇā
kriyeta bhagavaty addhā
tan manye ’dhītam uttamam
Translation
Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) — these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Kṛṣṇa through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.
Process of devotional service in practice
By practicing even one of the nine processes of devotional service, one can become successful. There are many devotees who execute only one of the nine processes of devotional service. Nonetheless, they get ultimate success.
- Mahārāja Parīkṣit attained the highest perfection, shelter at Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, simply by hearing about Lord Viṣṇu.
- Śukadeva Gosvāmī attained perfection simply by reciting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
- Prahlāda Mahārāja attained perfection by remembering the Lord.
- The goddess of fortune attained perfection by massaging the transcendental legs of Mahā-Viṣṇu.
- Mahārāja Pṛthu attained perfection by worshiping the Deity.
- Akrūra attained perfection by offering prayers unto the Lord.
- Vajrāṅgajī [Hanumān] attained perfection by rendering service to Lord Rāmacandra.
- Arjuna attained perfection simply by being Kṛṣṇa’s friend.
- Bali Mahārāja attained perfection by dedicating everything to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.
Devotees like Mahārāja Ambarīṣa execute all nine items, and they also get ultimate success. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa always engaged:
- his mind at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa
- his words in describing the spiritual world and the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- his hands in cleansing and washing the Lord’s temple
- his ears in hearing topics about the Supreme Lord
- his eyes in seeing the Deity of Lord Kṛṣṇa in the temple
- his body in embracing Vaiṣṇavas or touching their lotus feet
- his nostrils in smelling the aroma of the tulasī leaves offered to Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet
- his tongue in tasting food offered to Kṛṣṇa
- his legs in going to places of pilgrimage like Vṛndāvana and Mathurā or to the Lord’s temple
- his head in touching the lotus feet of the Lord and offering Him obeisances, and
- his desires in serving the Lord faithfully.
In this way Mahārāja Ambarīṣa engaged his senses in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. As a result, he awakened his dormant loving propensity for the Lord’s service.
