There are four kinds of practitioners of Bhakti:
- Sthula
- Pravartaka
- Sadhak
- Siddha
A
Sthula devotee is largely ignorant to God and the goal of human birth,
that is, realization of one’s relationship with God. He is only concerned with
his material desires and pleasing his family and friends. Even when he worships
God, he prays only for worldly pleasures and relief from suffering.
A
Pravartaka devotee is who has understood that realizing one’s
relationship with God is the goal of human birth due to some association with
Sadhus. Yet, he is largely attached to worldly possessions and relationships. So,
although he tries to do bhajan, he is hardly able to do so. Even the little
bhajan he does is only mechanical and not with heartfelt devotion.
A Sadhak devotee is who has started developing indifference to worldly matters and relationships, and tries to do bhajan with determination and devotion. Although there are worldly desires hidden in his heart, he fights the urges and engages in devotion again and again. In this way, he progresses in his path of Bhakti in a very short time.
A Siddha devotee is who has reached the perfection of his spiritual path. For devotees of different paths, the spiritual achievement of such devotees can be different. But there is one common thing about every Siddha devotee: on perfection of their spiritual journey, they become free from the cycle of birth and death.
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