Significance of Bhakti
Bhakti, in various Hindu traditions, refers to devotion or loving worship directed towards a chosen deity, essential for spiritual attainment and fulfillment. It emphasizes a deep emotional connection and reverence for God, expressed through rituals, hymns, and community practices. Bhakti is seen as a path leading to liberation, transcending worldly attachments and nurturing a personal relationship with the divine. This devotional practice is central to the philosophies of Jainism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and others, highlighting its universal importance in spiritual life.
Synonyms: Devotion, Worship, Faith, Allegiance, Surrender, Piety, Dedication, Loyalty, Reverence
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Bhakti'
In Hinduism, Bhakti embodies devotional service and love towards the Supreme Lord, essential for spiritual enlightenment, liberation, and achieving divine vision, emphasizing selfless devotion as a primary path to salvation and spiritual fulfillment.
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Devotion or loving service towards the Lord, acknowledged as a central theme within spiritual practices among devotees.[1] (2) Devotional service and the process of love and devotion towards the Supreme Personality as described in the scriptures.[2] (3) The primary meaning of the word is seva, or service, especially in the context of serving the Deity.[3] (4) Devotional service that Gopa-kumara practices, which keeps him engaged with Shri Vishnu.[4] (5) of devotional service[5]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) A devotional practice that emphasizes love and devotion towards God.[6] (2) Bhakti or devotion is emphasized as an essential component that must accompany knowledge and action to be considered beautiful or worthy.[7] (3) The devout love and service to the Supreme Lord, which is essential to access the glories of the holy name.[8] (4) Devotion and worship towards the Supreme Lord, emphasized as the essential practice in Kali-yuga.[9] (5) The essential devotional service towards the Supreme Lord, regarded as central to achieving spiritual realization.[10]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) Devotional service and love for God, regarded as the highest form of spiritual practice.[11] (2) The path of devotion in Hinduism, emphasized throughout the text as a means to connect with the divine.[12] (3) Devotional service to God, which the text emphasizes as being necessary for spiritual progression.[13] (4) Devotional service to Krishna, characterized by love and devotion, promoted by Shrila Swami Maharaja through his teachings.[14] (5) Devotional service towards God, which involves various practices such as hearing (shravana), chanting (kirtana), and remembering (smarana) the names and pastimes of Krishna.[15]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) The devotional love and service rendered to the Supreme, recognized as the most important practice in achieving spiritual goals.[16] (2) The devotional service and surrender to the Supreme Lord, which allows understanding and experiencing His eternal pastimes.[17] (3) A devotional service introduced by Advaita Acarya, aimed at delivering all living beings and cultivating a personal relationship with God.[18] (4) Devotional service, which is the act of engaging in activities for the pleasure of Krishna.[19] (5) Devotion or love towards God, often resulting in acts of service and worship.[20]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) A concept referring to devotion or worship in a spiritual context.[21] (2) The devotional service or love directed towards the divine, regarded as a significant means to attain spiritual goals.[22] (3) Devotional service or loving devotion to Krishna, often encompassing various practices and attitudes.[23] (4) A devotional sentiment or state of being, characterized by love and attachment, as described in the Pancaratra.[24] (5) A devotional practice or path that is central to the text, which does not completely oppose the types of liberation.[25]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Refers to the devotional service or loving devotion towards the Lord, which is the key to spiritual realization.[26] (2) Devotion or loving service towards the divine, a key aspect of spiritual practice in Hinduism.[27] (3) A term that refers to devotion or the glowing affection shown towards the divine and emphasized in the protection of devotees.[28] (4) Refers to the concept of devotion or the emotional attachment to God.[29] (5) A devotional service or love, highlighting the relationship between the devotee and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.[30]
From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya
(1) The devotional path that emphasizes love and devotion towards God, especially Krishna, highlighted in the text.[31] (2) The devotional service characterized by love and affection towards God.[32] (3) The devotional service and loving devotion to God that is regarded as the ultimate purpose of all spiritual pursuits.[33]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) The devotional worship directed towards a personal god in Hinduism, emphasizing love and devotion.[34] (2) Devotion or love for the Divine, particularly expressed through hymns and spiritual practices as depicted in the Alvar's teachings.[35] (3) A discipline of devotion and love towards God, involving various steps that guide practitioners in their spiritual journey.[36]
From: Haribhakti-sudhodaya
(1) Devotional practice aimed at establishing a loving relationship with the divine.[37] (2) Devotion to God that leads to spiritual enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.[38]
From: The Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Devotion towards the Mula Prakriti and Savitri, which is essential for being recognized and favored by the divine.[39] (2) Devotional love and commitment to the Devi, considered essential for attaining spiritual realization.[40] (3) The path of devotion characterized by love and service towards the Divine, considered superior to other spiritual aspects like Mukti.[41] (4) Devotion or love towards God; even without this, merely holding the Rudraksha leads to spiritual accomplishments.[42] (5) Devotion or steadfastness towards the Devi, emphasized by the Devas in their prayers for assistance.[43]
From: The Bhagavata Purana
(1) Devotion to the Lord that is encouraged as a means to purify the mind and spirit through practices such as prayer and singing the Lord's glories.[44] (2) Devotional service toward the Supreme Being that facilitates liberation from maya.[45] (3) Personified devotion that interacts with Narada, illustrating the struggles and rejuvenation of spiritual practice amidst the challenges of the Kali age.[46] (4) Devotion to the Lord, particularly through the utterance of his name, regarded as the highest duty of all men in the world.[47] (5) Devotional service to God, which is discussed extensively throughout the Puranas and regarded as significant for one's spiritual path.[48]
From: The Skanda Purana
(1) Devotion and fidelity to the divine, particularly highlighted as a pathway to spiritual attainment during Caturmasya.[49] (2) Devotion demonstrated through rituals and offerings, essential for attaining benefits in Prabhasa.[50] (3) Devotional service directed toward a deity, in this case, Vishnu.[51] (4) Devotion and love for God, regarded as a primary means of spiritual attainment.[52] (5) Devotion characterized by deep affection and exclusive service to Vasudeva, encompassing various types of reverent actions.[53]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) Devotional worship in the context of the Bhagavata religion, which emphasizes love and devotion towards God.[54] (2) Devotion or love towards God, which is harmonized with Spiritual Knowledge in the Gita.[55] (3) Devotion characterized by an intense, selfless love for the divine.[56] (4) Devotional service or devotion, explored within Samkhya philosophy, especially in the context of personal relationships with the divine.[57] (5) The term for devotion or love towards God, which is central to the Path of Devotion emphasized in the Gita.[58]
From: The Padma Purana
(1) Devotion towards Vishnu, which is emphasized throughout the Padma Purana as the supreme spiritual practice.[59] (2) Devotion or love towards God, emphasized as a means of salvation in the present age.[60] (3) Devotion to God, particularly Vishnu, emphasized as essential for spiritual development and purification.[61]
From: The Linga Purana
(1) The greatest service or devotion to the lord, considered a means to snap all spiritual bonds.[62] (2) Devotional worship directed to a personal god, significantly illustrated through the emphasis on the Linga as a focal point.[63]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) Devotion or love for God, considered one of the paths to achieving quiescence of mind and spiritual realization.[64]
From: The Matsya Purana (critical study)
(1) Devotion acknowledged in the Matsyapurana, divided into three forms: bhakti, jnana, and yoga.[65]
From: Prasthanatrayi Swaminarayan Bhashyam (Study)
(1) Devotion that is enhanced by dispassion towards the material world, particularly when accompanied by spiritual wisdom.[66] (2) Devotional love and worship directed towards Purushottama, emphasized as an integral part of spiritual practice within the Svaminarayana tradition.[67] (3) Devotion and love towards God, which is reinforced by the observance of dharma.[68] (4) Devotional service towards Parabrahman, which is a central theme in achieving jivanmukti.[69] (5) Devotion or love towards a personal god, a key practice for attaining spiritual realization.[70]
From: Bhagavatpadabhyudaya by Lakshmana Suri (study)
(1) Devotion to a deity or guru, seen as a path to attaining spiritual realization.[71] (2) Defined as 'action prostrated by duty', it represents devotion to God, crucial for spiritual liberation.[72] (3) Devotion to the personal aspect of Brahman, acknowledged by Shankara as essential for attaining jnana.[73] (4) Devotion to a deity or Guru, recognized as the main theme throughout the text.[74]
From: Kathopanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) Devotion or love towards the Supreme, which is crucial for attaining liberation and understanding the self.[75]
From: Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya
(1) Devotional service or surrender to God as a means to attain salvation.[76]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) Devotion and love toward the divine, important in realizing the nature of Brahman.[77]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Devotional love and surrender to God, viewed as a vital component of the spiritual path.[78]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) A devotional practice focusing on the worship of God, which is especially accessible to followers of Saguna Brahman.[79]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) Devotion characterized by love and dedication in the pursuit of union with Brahman, emphasized in the context of knowledge acquisition.[80]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) The path of devotion in Hinduism that, while not the focus of Tantrik rituals, shares certain principles regarding the divine and personal conduct.[81] (2) Devotion or love for God, a central aspect of certain Tantric practices that emphasizes personal connection with the divine.[82] (3) Devotion expressed towards a deity or divine principle, fundamental to the practice and realization in Tantra.[83] (4) The path of devotion as a form of Yoga leading to union with the divine through love and surrender.[84] (5) Devotion or love towards the divine, which plays a crucial role in spiritual practice and advancement.[85]
From: Gitartha Samgraha (critical Study)
(1) Devotion or love for a personal divine, representing spiritual connection and practice in the Bhagavadgita.[86] (2) Devotion to God that is emphasized throughout the chapters as a path to attain spiritual liberation.[87] (3) Devotion characterized as nature's wish-yielding creeper, essential for fulfilling all agreeable desires.[88] (4) A term referring to devotion within the context of the various schools of Shaivism.[89]
From: Lakulisha-Pashupata (Philosophy and Practice)
(1) Devotion; the only way granted by Gautama for the rishis to rise to heaven after their appeasement.[90]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) Devotion characterized by love and emotional connection in the practice of worship towards Vishnu.[91] (2) The devotional aspect of worship, emphasizing love and devotion to God.[92] (3) Devotion or love towards God, which is an essential aspect of worship in this context.[93] (4) The practice of devotion, considered the most effective method for attaining salvation according to the teachings of the Gita.[94]
From: Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
(1) The means of salvation emphasized in the philosophy of Vallabhacarya, focusing on devotion and love towards God.[95] (2) Worship or devotion to God, which is considered the sole means of attaining Moksha according to this philosophy.[96] (3) Bhakti is the devotional love generated by God's grace, culminating in the realization of the paramatman.[97]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) Devotion or attachment to the divine, especially in the context of one's relationship with God.[98]
From: Kamashastra Discourse (Life in Ancient India)
(1) A devotional movement in Hinduism that focuses on love and devotion toward a personal god, often imbued with erotic imagery.[99]
Jain concept of 'Bhakti'
Bhakti in Jainism signifies deep devotion and worship towards a deity, exemplified by followers' relationships with Mahavira, and is a key focus in Upadhyaya Yashovijaya's teachings on devotional practices.
From: Yogadrstisamuccaya of Haribhadra Suri (Study)
(1) One of the five major areas of study addressed in Upadhyaya Yashovijaya’s works, focusing on devotion and worship.[100]
From: Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)
(1) A devout form of worship or practice denoting deep love and reverence towards a chosen deity, illustrated by the relationship between followers and Shramana Bhagavan Mahavira.[101]
The concept of 'Bhakti' in local and regional sources
Bhakti signifies devotion or love for God, essential for spiritual attainment in Hinduism. It transcends social status, promotes spiritual fulfillment, and manifests through worship, service, and personal devotion, as seen in figures like Mirabai and Lord Jhulelal.
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) Devotion or love for God, often manifesting in service, worship, and surrender.[102] (2) Devotion to God, considered one of the principal means of spiritual attainment in Hindu practice.[103] (3) A devotional aspect of worship characterized by love and devotion to God, prominent in the practices of the Vaishnavas.[104] (4) Devotion or love for God, which the king exhibited through his actions towards saints.[105] (5) Devotion and love for God, emphasized as a means through which evil is kept away from the devotee.[106]
From: Lord Jhulelal: An Analytical Study
(1) Devotion to a deity, which is a core aspect of the faith surrounding Lord Jhulelal.[107]