Shikshastakam Breakdown

Within Vaishnava theology, various models are presented to describe the practitioner’s progress on their journey to spiritual perfection. In general, one progresses through three broad categories: sambandha, abhidheya, and prayojana. Sambandha means to understand one’s relationship with Krishna, abhidheya means to act in that relationship, and prayojana means to fully awaken one’s dormant love of God.

Vishvanath Chakravarti Thakur expands on this idea, detailing the progress through 9 stages: shraddha (initial faith), sadhu-sanga (association of devotees), bhajana-kriya (committed practice of devotional service), anartha-nivrtti (cleansing of the heart), nistha (firm conviction), ruchi (higher taste), asakti (attachment), bhava (ecstatic love), prema (pure love of God).

Although the content of the Shikshastakam overlaps, a closer study reveals the overall flow of the prayers as follows :

Verse	Key Theme	Category	Stage
1	Importance of nama-sankirtan & 7 effects of chanting	Sambandha / Abhideya	Shraddha
2	Our weakness and inability to engage in the process	Sambandha / Abhideya	Sadhu Sanga, Bhajana Kriya, Anartha Nivrtti
3	The proper mood and disposition for spiritual success	Sambandha / Abhideya	The supporting mood
4	Elimination of material desires and development of spiritual desires	Sambandha / Abhideya	Nistha / Ruchi
5	Awakening of our real spiritual identity	Sambandha / Abhideya	Asakti
6	The experience of good fortune by coming in contact with the Lord	Abhideya / Prayojana	Bhava
7	The mood of separation within advanced devotees	Abhideya / Prayojana	Bhava
8	The highest perfection and ultimate goal	Abhideya / Prayojana	Prema