Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 9.259-260
Offer Nine Forms of Devotion to Kṛṣṇa
“ ‘This process entails hearing, chanting and remembering the holy name, form, pastimes, qualities and entourage of the Lord, offering service according to the time, place and performer, worshiping the Deity, offering prayers, always considering oneself the eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, making friends with Him and dedicating everything unto Him. These nine items of devotional service, when directly offered to Kṛṣṇa, constitute the highest attainment of life. This is the verdict of the revealed scriptures.’
What the purport teaches
- Devotional service includes hearing, chanting and remembering the Lord’s holy name, form, pastimes, qualities and entourage.
- It also includes offering service according to time, place and performer, worshiping the Deity and offering prayers. The remaining items are considering oneself Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servant, making friends with Him and dedicating everything to Him.
- Directly offered to Kṛṣṇa, these nine items constitute the highest attainment of life, according to the revealed scriptures. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu quoted this teaching from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes chanting Kṛṣṇa’s holy name as a direct offering of devotional service to Him.
Ask yourself
Which of these nine forms of devotional service can I offer directly to Kṛṣṇa today?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.