# Siksastakam Breakdown

Within Vaisnava theology, various models are presented to chart the practitioner’s progress on their journey to spiritual perfection. In general, one progresses through three broad stages: *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 *Siksastakam* overlaps, a closer study reveals the overall flow of the prayers as follows: [*\[68\]*](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]:

<table><thead><tr><th width="94">Verse</th><th width="183">Key Theme</th><th width="145">Category</th><th>Stage</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Importance of nama-sankirtan &#x26; 7 effects of chanting</td><td>Sambandha / Abhideya</td><td>Shraddha</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Our weakness and inability to engage in the process</td><td>Sambandha / Abhideya</td><td>Sadhu-Sanga, Bhajana-Kriya, Anartha- Nivrtti</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>The proper mood and disposition for spiritual success</td><td>Sambandha / Abhideya</td><td>The supporting mood</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Elimination of material desires and development of spiritual desires</td><td>Sambandha / Abhideya</td><td>Nistha / Ruchi</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Awakening of our real spiritual identity</td><td>Sambandha / Abhideya</td><td>Asakti</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>The experience of good fortune by coming in contact with the Lord</td><td>Abhideya / Prayojana</td><td>Bhava</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>The mood of separation within advanced devotees</td><td>Abhideya / Prayojana</td><td>Bhava</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>The highest perfection and ultimate goal</td><td>Abhideya / Prayojana</td><td>Prema</td></tr></tbody></table>

[^1]: Based on Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s “Sanmodana Bhasyam” and Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s “Reflections on Sacred Teachings: Shikshastakam”


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