Lakshmana was shocked to see the old lady offering fruits that she herself had tasted before offering to Rama. However, Rama was happy to accept the sincere offerings, and blessed the old lady for her piety.
नवधा भगति कहउं तोहि पाहीं। सावधान सुनु धरु मन माहीं॥
The nine steps of devotion, I impart to you. Listen you well and remember it always.
1. प्रथम भगति संतन्ह कर संगा।
Pratham Bhagati Santan kar sangaa
The first step to devotion (Bhakti) is to keep company of the saints (Satsang).
2. दुसरि रति मम कथा प्रसंगा॥
Doosri rati mam kathaa prasangaa
The second step is to enjoy listening to legends/discourses pertaining to the Lord.
3. गुरु पद पंकज सेवा तीसरि भगति अमान।
Guru pankaj seva, teesri bhakti amaan
Selfless service to the Guru’s lotus feet without any pride is the third step.
4. चौथि भगति मम गुन गन करइ कपट तजि गान॥
Chouthi Bhagati mam gun gaan, karai kapat tajee gaan
The fourth step is to earnestly sing praises of the Lord’s virtues with a heart clear of guile, deceit or hypocrisy.
5. मंत्र जाप मम दृढ़ बिस्वासा। पंचम भजन सो बेद प्रकासा॥
Mantra jaap mam dridh Visvaasaa, Pancham, bhajan jo Ved Prakaasaa
Chanting My Name with steadfast faith is the fifth step as the Vedas reveal.
6. छठ दम सील बिरति बहु करमा। निरत निरंतर सज्जन धरमा॥
Chattha dasa seela birati bahu karmaa, nirat nirantara sajjan dharma
The sixth, is to practice self-control, good character, detachment from manifold activities and always follow the duties as good religious person.
7. सातवँ सम मोहि मय जग देखा। मोतें संत अधिक करि लेखा॥
Saatvam sam mohi main jag dekhaa, motey sant adhik kar lekhaa
The seventh step is to perceive the world as God Himself and regard the saints higher than the Lord.
8. आठवँ जथालाभ संतोषा। सपनेहुं नहिं देखइ परदोषा॥
Aathvam jathaa laabh santoshaa, sapneu nahin, dekhai par doshaa
The eighth, is a state (which one arrives at when one travels the first seven steps) where there is no desire left, but the gift of perfect peace and contentment with whatever one has. (In this state) one does not see fault in others, even in a dream.
9. नवम सरल सब सन छलहीना। मम भरोस हिय हरष न दीना॥
Navam saral sab san chhal heena, mam bharos heenya harash na deenaa
In this state, one has full faith in the Lord, and becomes (child-like) simple with no hypocrisy or deceit. The devotee has strong faith in the Lord with neither exaltation or depression in any life circumstance (but becomes equanimous).
App
River / Mountain
http://www.cultureholidays.com/Temples/sabarimala.htm
Lord Rama is praising the divinity of blessed Sabari in front of Sri
Lakshmana swami. Thulasidas says that, unable to speak for herself, Sabari stood
still with folded palms, trembling lips & joyfilled tears. Her lifelong patience
has finally beared the fruit of Sri Ramadarshanam with his eternal servant Sri
Lakshmana. Sabari's old eyes have nothing more to see now becoz after seeing
Rama, there is nothing left to see in this perishable world. Even Mahadeva is
unable to express the joy of Sabari today. She is blessed totally by the supreme
Lord. She has reached to level to be called as " Ramasakhi " , which no other lady
is known to have other than Sri Sita devi herself.
The entire world witnessed this rare event where the Lord sold himself to an old
lady in this way. The Lord of 14 worlds is standing empty handed with absolutely
nothing to offer to Sabari. Thulasidas writes - having seen all 9 forms of
devotion in Sabari ,
Lord Rama praised her devotion, clarifying in the following
way
नव महुं एकउ जिन्ह कें होई। नारि पुरूष सचराचर कोई॥
सोइ अतिसय प्रिय भामिनी मोरें। सकल प्रकार भगति दृढ़ तोरें॥
