Especially the nine modes of worship mentioned in the Bhagavata and stressed by Sri Sai Baba often have to be attended to and followed.
In setting out those nine forms, one can see how the external and internal are inextricably interwoven and combined and how one gradually progresses with lower and external forms till his inner kernel of devotion attains maturity and perfection.
The nine modes of Devotion are,
1) Sravana– Listening to accounts of the deeds of God, his Avataras and Saints.
2) Kirtana– reciting these or repeating God’s names and praise,
3) Smarana– constantly recalling these, especially uttering God’s names
4) Padasevanam– falling at the feet of God and Saints
5) Archana– formal worship, for example with flowers, water, food, scents and all the 16 upacharas etc
6) Vadana– prostration before God and the saints.
7) Dasya– Eg. service, doing every work for God or Saint.
8) Sakhya– remaining in the company of God or Saint and
9) Atma Nivedana-surrender of the self that is forgetting oneself entirely in the contemplation of God, after formally offering the self as a gift to God.


