Those who follow the Nine-fold Path are two kinds. (1) The followers of the Hard Path. (2) The followers of the Safe and Easy Path. These are sometimes referred to as (1) Bhakti and (2) Prapatti. That is to say, the practice of the Makata-kishora or the young of the monkey is Bhakti and practice of the Markata-kishora or the young of the cat is Prapatti.
Devotion has to be unintermittent, uninterrupted, like the flow of oil from one vessel to another. Though the two kinds are basically the same, the practices are different. Without Prema nothing can be acquired in this world. It is only when there is Prema the Anuraga or Attachment, in its turn, produces the desire to protect and guard. In both the above kinds, Prema is equal, no doubt but, in actual manifestation, there is difference. In the Markata-kishora Marga, the child has to rely on its own strength to protect itself, wherever the Mother might jump about, it has to attach itself fast to the mother’s belly and should not release its hold, even if pulled apart? So, the Bhakta too has to stand the test at the hands of the Lord. And hold on to the Lord’s name at all times and under all conditions, tirelessly, without the slightest trace of dislike of disgust, bearing the ridicule and the criticism of the world and conquering the feelings of shame and defeat. The example of this type of Bhakti is that first among devotees, Prahlada.
The Prapatti Marga is not of this type: it is like the way of the kitten, the Marjala-kishora, ‘Sarvabhara Samarpita’ attitude. As the kitten simply continues mewing in one place, placing all its burdens on the mother-cat, the devotee puts complete trust on the Lord. The mother-cat holds the kitten in its mouth and removes it to more elevated places or transports it safely through even very narrow passages. So too the devotee places all his burden in the Lord and surrenders fully to His will. Lakshmana is the witness of this Path.
The discipline of Prapatti is much superior to the discipline of Bhakti. The characteristic of Prapatti is complete self-surrender, in all aspects. To serve Shri Rama, Lakshmana renounced all obstacles in his path, like wealth, wife, mother, home even sleep and food. And, this, He felt that Shri Rama was his all, his happiness and joy, that He would grant him everything that he needed and that his life’s purpose was only to follow Him and serve Him, and surrender his will to Him. So, if all burdens are placed on Him, and if He is followed ceaselessly and unforgettingly, He will certainly provide everything. This is the nature of the Prapatti type of devotion. (Prema Vahini, pp. 54-55)