bhajana-kriyā

taking up the practices of bhakti, such as hearing and chanting. There are sixty-four primary limbs of bhakti, of which the first four are: to take shelter of the lotus feet of the spiritual master; to receive initiation (dīkṣā) and spiritual instruction (śikṣā); to serve one’s guru with great affection; and to follow the path of sādhus. Without adopting these practices, there is no question of making any advancement in bhajana. This is the second stage in the development of the creeper of devotion, and it occurs by the influence of sādhu-saṅga