Uttamottama, the highest form of Vishnu Bhakti, represents the pinnacle of devotion where the devotee attains complete identification with Bhagavan Vishnu, leading to liberation (moksha). This concept is elaborated in the Brihannaradiya Purana or Naradiya Purana, ancient texts dedicated to the principles of devotion and spirituality.
Levels of Bhakti in Naradiya Purana
According to the Naradiya Purana, Bhakti or devotion has ten distinct levels. These levels are categorized based on the qualities (gunas) of tamas (ignorance or darkness), rajas (passion or activity), and sattva (goodness or purity). Each level signifies a progressive deepening of the devotee's relationship with Vishnu, culminating in Uttamottama.
Tamasic Bhakti (First Three Levels)
- Nitya: Routine worship, often mechanical, done out of habit or social obligation.
- Kamya: Devotion with desires, seeking material benefits and personal gains.
- Nirguna: Worship of Vishnu without understanding or knowledge of His divine attributes, often driven by fear or ignorance.
Rajasic Bhakti (Next Three Levels)
- Sankalpa: Devotion with specific intentions or vows, performed with a sense of duty and purpose.
- Upasana: Meditative worship, involving rituals and prayers with a desire for spiritual progress.
- Vimala: Pure devotion, characterized by a clearer understanding of Vishnu’s divine nature and a reduction in material desires.
Sattvika Bhakti (Next Three Levels)
- Suddha: Pure and selfless devotion, performed with love and reverence, devoid of any personal motives.
- Prem: Devotion with intense love and emotional connection to Vishnu, seeing Him as the ultimate beloved.
- Parabhakti: Supreme devotion, where the devotee perceives everything as a manifestation of Vishnu and surrenders completely to His will.
Uttamottama Bhakti (Highest Level)
- Uttamottama: The ultimate and highest form of devotion where the devotee achieves complete unity with Vishnu. In this state, the devotee's identity merges with the divine, leading to liberation (moksha). The devotee experiences profound bliss and eternal connection with Bhagavan Vishnu.
Significance of Uttamottama Bhakti
- Liberation (Moksha): In Uttamottama Bhakti, the devotee transcends the cycle of birth and death, achieving eternal union with Vishnu.
- Unity with the Divine: The devotee's ego dissolves, and they experience oneness with Vishnu, seeing His presence in all aspects of life.
- Ultimate Bliss: The state of Uttamottama Bhakti is characterized by an overwhelming sense of joy, peace, and divine love.
This highest form of devotion signifies the culmination of the spiritual journey, where the devotee’s soul becomes one with the divine essence of Vishnu, embodying pure love, selflessness, and eternal bliss.