Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Six qualities that enhance Bhakti
Niscaya
Confidence
Concerning the liberated living entities, the Lord says in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 22.11):
`nitya-mukta'-nitya krsna-carane unmukha
`krsna-parisada' nama, bhunje seva-sukha
"Those who are eternally liberated are always awake to Krsna consciousness, and they render transcendental loving service at the feet of Lord Krsna. They are to be considered eternal associates of Krsna, and they are eternally enjoying the transcendental bliss of serving Krsna."
Regarding simultaneous oneness and difference, the Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 20.108) says:
krsnera `tatastha-sakti' bhedabheda-prakasa
"The living entity is the marginal energy of Krsna and a manifestation simultaneously one and different from the Lord."
When the living entities' relationship with the Lord is revived by the association of amnaya, then abhidheya is understood. Devotional service to Sri Krsna is that abhidheya. The purport is that whatever the scriptures specify as one's prime duty is called abhidheya. In this regard Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 22.17-18):
krsna-bhakti haya abhidheya-pradhana
bhakti-mukha-niriksaka karma-yoga-jnana
ei saba sadhanera ati tuccha bala
krsna-bhakti vina taha dite nare phala
"Devotional service to Krsna is the chief function of the living entity. There are different methods for the liberation of the conditioned soul-karma, jnana, yoga, and bhakti-but all are dependent on bhakti. But for devotional service, all other methods for spiritual self-realization are weak and insignificant. Unless one comes to the devotional service of Lord Krsna, jnana and yoga cannot give the desired results."
Sadhana-bhakti is called abhidheya. That sadhana-bhakti is divided into two-vaidhi and raganuga. Vaidhi-sadhana-bhakti is of many varieties. In some places sixty-four limbs are given, and in some places nine limbs are given. The preaching of ninefold devotional service is given in the Srimad Bhagavatam (7.5.23):
sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam
arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam
"Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia, and pastimes of Lord Visnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind, and words) these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service."