Q. Between these three processes of Bhakti - shravanam (hearing), kirtanam (chanting) and smaranam (remembering), which is superior?

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A: According to the child devotee of Lord Narasimhadeva, Shri Prahalada, there are nine devotional processes.

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They are:

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1. Hearing
2. Chanting or Glorifying
3. Remembering
4. Serving the lotus feet of the Lord
5. Offering respectful worship
6. Offering obeisances
7. Becoming the Lord's servant
8. Considering the Lord as one's best friend
9. Surrendering everything to the Lord

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All these processes are equal in status. However, one begins by hearing about the Lord and then proceeds to glorify. Such acts of hearing and glorifying lead one to constant remembering or meditation. Then, when one develops nishtha - a firm faith, he or she progressively engages in the other processes of Bhakti.