Acharya Vaani
shrImadAnandatIrthArya mukhanissR^itaM
bhaktishcaiva harAveva mukhyA.anyatra yathAkramaM |
svAdhikatvena sarvatra svottameShu krameNa ca || A.V 3.3.34
It has been said that bhakti is the chief instrument among all instruments of knowledge. But it is not very clear on whom this bhakti should be made. To this we reply, utmost bhakti should be shown towards shrI hari and not towards any other person. To persons other than shrI hari, the devotion should be shown according to their gradation. At no instance shall equality be contemplated or devotion be shown according to improper order. To people who are immediate superiors to oneself, the devotion shown should be higher than the love shown towards oneself. To other superior persons the devotion shown should be even more according to their gradation.
