Can You explain the four types of service done to the divine preacher?

[An online spiritual discussion was conducted on October 5, 2020, in which several devotees participated. Some of the questions of devotees answered by Swāmi are given below.]

Can You explain the four types of service done to the divine preacher? (1 of 11)

Swāmi replied: O Learned and Devoted Servants of God! Service is called sevā, in a general sense. The same service done to the divine preacher is called śuśrūṣā. Similarly, the attraction towards worldly items is called love (premā) while the same love towards God is called devotion (bhakti). Sthāna śuśrūṣā means the service done to the preacher, that is relevant to the situation or context. Bhāva śuśrūṣā means the service done to the preacher by expressing one’s faith in Him with the help of prayers. Aṅga śuśrūṣā means the service done to the preacher through physical work to give happiness to the body of the preacher like pressing His feet etc. Ātma śuśrūṣā means the service done to the preacher by totally surrendering one’s soul to Him, which includes all the above three types of service.

Keywords:

| Shri Datta Swami | Can You explain the four types of service done to the divine preacher? | Sthana shushrusha Bhava shushrusha Anga shushrusha Aatma shushrusha