Intense love for God is Bhakthi. Sri Shankaracharya defines Bhakthias devotion to Atma. It is a path of trust and love. It is surrender to the Divine Will. A devotee shows intense faith in and love for God. Bhakthi has generally been classified as under:

1. (a) Apara (lower) - Observing rituals and ceremonies. A worshipper goes to the temple, applies sandal paste, rings the bell, and performs other rituals in routine.
   
   (b) Para (higher) - Free from three gunas (sattva,rajas, tamas) and any motive or desire. A devotee has Universal love. He wishes the good of all. It is the highest culminating point in devotion.
   Ram Dev, Tukarma, Tulsidas, and Hafiz followed this Type of Bhakthi.
   
   
2. (a) Ragatmika - It is a free flow of Divine love without any binding. The devotees is like a child (innocent and simple) and pours his love for the beloved, like Meera and the Gopis of Brindavan
   
   (b) Vidhi - Devotee observes rules and ceremonies.
   
   
3. (a) Sakama - It is a 'Gaurh' or secondary type of devotion with motive and desire for wealth, worldly comforts and children.
   
   (b) Nishkama - It is devotion without any desire for fruit.
   
   
4. (a) Vyabhicharini - To love God with some purpose such as to possess a wife, sons and property.
   
   (b) Avyabhicharini - To love God alone forever and ever.
   There is hardly and different between Para Bhakthi. Ananya Bhakthi and Avyabhicharini Bhakthi.