The 9 Stages of Devotional Service

[Bhava dasa (ACBSP)]

ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-
saṅgo ‘tha bhajana-kriyā
tato ‘nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt
tato niṣṭhā rucis tataḥ

athāsaktis tato bhāvas
tataḥ premābhyudañcati
sādhakānām ayaṁ premṇaḥ
prādurbhāve bhavet kramaḥ

“In the beginning there must be faith. Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees. Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment. This is the way of sādhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify, and finally there is an awakening of love. This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”
[Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 23.14–15]

ādau—in the beginning;
1. śraddhā—firm faith, or disinterest in material affairs and interest in spiritual advancement;
tataḥ—thereafter;
2. sādhu-saṅgaḥ—association with pure devotees;
atha—then;
3. bhajana-kriyā—performance of devotional service to Kṛṣṇa (surrendering to the spiritual master and being encouraged by the association of devotees, so that initiation takes place);
tataḥ—thereafter;
4. anartha-nivṛttiḥ—the diminishing of all unwanted habits; syāt—there should be;
tataḥ—then;
5. niṣṭhā—firm faith;
6. ruciḥ—taste;
tataḥ—thereafter;
atha—then;
7. āsaktiḥ—attachment;
tataḥ—then;
8. bhāvaḥ—emotion or affection;
tataḥ—thereafter;
9. prema—love of God;
abhyudañcati—arises;
sādhakānām—of the devotees practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness; ayam—this;
a. premṇaḥ—of love of Godhead;
prādurbhāve—in the appearance;
bhavet—is;
kramaḥ—the chronological order.