ABSTRACT
The practice of devotion, like other action, should be pursued without desire for its end. The Assamese classify devotion into two types: (1) devotion as phalarūpā (fruit) which is nikām (without desire), i.e. it is pursued as an end in itself; and (2) devotion as sādhanarūpā (means) which is sakām (with desire), i.e. it is instrumental to salvation or, more commonly, worldly ends. The practice of devotion for its own sake alone is considered the higher form of devotion.
