Significance of Devotee
In various religious contexts, the term Devotee encompasses individuals who demonstrate unwavering faith and dedication to a higher power or spiritual practice. In Buddhism, it refers to laypeople committed to practicing the Dhamma, while in Vaishnavism, it relates to those devoted to worshiping Gauranga and Lord Krishna. Devotees are recognized for engaging in rituals, showing reverence, and seeking blessings through sincere worship. Across diverse traditions, a devotee is characterized by their deep commitment to spirituality and active participation in religious practices.
Synonyms: Supporter, Disciple, Fan, Faithful
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Devotee'
In Buddhism, a devotee can be interpreted as an individual who venerates figures like the Precious kar ma pa, practices the Dhamma faithfully, or participates in worship at sacred sites, embodying faith and generosity.
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) Refers to those who believe and participate in the worship or prayer at the banyan tree, hoping for their wishes to be granted.[1]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) Individuals who admired and venerated the Precious kar ma pa, often retaining fragments of his garments.[2]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) A layperson dedicated to the Buddha and committed to practicing the Dhamma, representing exemplary faith and generosity.[3]
Hindu concept of 'Devotee'
In Hinduism, a devotee is someone deeply committed to spiritual practices, worshiping and serving the divine with love, often participating in rituals, chanting, and seeking a profound connection with deities like Krishna.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Individuals who are dedicated to serving and worshiping Lord Caitanya and following his teachings.[4] (2) Individuals who are dedicated and show love towards the Lord, receiving special attention and affection from Him.[5] (3) Individuals who are dedicated or devoted to a particular cause or deity.[6] (4) A follower of a divine figure, whose identity was concealed by Shri Ishvara Puri through his disguise.[7] (5) A person who is dedicated to worshiping or serving the Lord, eliciting strong emotional responses from the Lord.[8]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Individuals who show deep devotion and commitment to a spiritual practice or philosophy, forming a community of followers within the text.[9] (2) A devotee who worships Lord Vasudeva in his heart.[10] (3) A person who is devoted to religious worship or service, specifically referring to the sage in this context.[11] (4) A follower or worshipper of Lord Krishna, who is considered lesser than the person who sees the palace.[12] (5) Individuals who are devoted to worship or service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, often characterized by their piety and faith.[13]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) Individuals devoted to Krishna whose presence enhances the emotional state of devotion.[14] (2) Individuals who are engaged in spiritual practice and experience emotional states.[15] (3) A person engaged in devotional practices who experiences the ratis and rasas.[16] (4) Individuals who hold the belief that the remaining eighteen vyabhicari-bhavas manifest both in union with and separation from the Lord.[17] (5) Individuals who have a deep love and devotion toward Krishna, whose understanding and perception of Him vary with their type of love.[18]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) Individuals who devote themselves to the Lord and receive His grace and blessings.[19] (2) Individuals who show reverence and dedication to the Lord, seeking a connection and union with Him.[20] (3) Individuals who exhibit love and reverence towards the divine, often engaged in worship and praise.[21] (4) Followers of the Lord who seek His guidance, support, and ultimately, their salvation.[22] (5) Individuals who are dedicated to worshipping and seeking refuge in the divine, often involved in spiritual practices.[23]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Individuals who engage wholeheartedly in the practice of bhakti and are dedicated to the worship of Bhagavan.[24] (2) followers who seek the grace and mercy of spiritual figures such as Gopala-deva.[25] (3) Individuals who offer unconditional love and service to God, often prioritizing their spiritual connection over material gains.[26] (4) Individuals who are devoted to the Lord and engage in practices like kirtana.[27] (5) followers who seek to experience the presence and love of the Lord[28]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) Those who engage in pure devotional service to Shri Hari and reject the typical goals of religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation.[29] (2) A follower of the path of bhakti, dedicated to worshipping and serving the divine.[30] (3) An individual who is dedicated to the worship and service of Krishna, encompassing both physical actions and internal sentiments.[31] (4) Those who sincerely worship and serve the Supreme Lord with love and dedication, receiving special mercy and affection in return.[32] (5) Individuals who possess a strong attachment to Shri Krishna and embody the same bhava, serving as models for practice.[33]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) Individuals devoted to God and committed to practicing bhakti under the guidance of spiritual teachers.[34] (2) A follower dedicated to the devotion and service of Krishna.[35] (3) Individuals who are dedicated to serving and following Shrila Gurudeva's teachings and were instructed on how to manage Gurudeva's food intake.[36] (4) Individuals who follow the teachings and lifestyle as propagated by Shrila Swami Maharaja and are part of his spiritual community.[37] (5) A practitioner who dedicates their life to the service and worship of God, embodying deep faith and love.[38]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) The followers of Lord Gaura, who engage in worship and express their devotion through acts of singing, dancing, and other forms of service.[39] (2) Followers of Lord Gauracandra engaged in service, worship, and sharing of love as discussed throughout the narrative.[40] (3) Individuals dedicated to the worship and service of God, who engage in various practices to deepen their spirituality.[41] (4) Individuals committed to worship and service of God, often forming communities based on shared spiritual practices.[42]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) A person who shows deep devotion and commitment to worship and religious practices.[43] (2) Individuals who express reverence and worship towards the divine presence of Someshvara.[44] (3) A person dedicated to worship and service of the divine, particularly Krishna in the context of the text.[45] (4) A person who is deeply committed to spiritual practices and devotion, in this case, both Govinda and Anasuya are depicted as devotees.[46] (5) A person who worships Nrisimha and partakes in rituals at the Tirtha with faith and concentration, aiming for divine blessings.[47]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) An individual who dedicates themselves to the worship and devotion of Lord Shiva.[48] (2) A person who is devoted to divine favor, particularly to Shiva in this context.[49] (3) Individuals who express devotion towards Kumara and are regarded as fortunate for glorifying him.[50] (4) Individuals who show unwavering faith and dedication to Shiva, receiving blessings in return.[51] (5) Followers of the goddess Amba who strive to attain her blessings and the blissful state she offers.[52]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) A person who shows devotion and commitment to the worship of the Devi.[53] (2) Individuals who worship and seek the blessings of the Devi Bhagavati with sincerity and faith.[54] (3) Worshippers of Vishnu who seek protection and removal of difficulties through chanting his name.[55] (4) A person who sincerely practices the rituals of Shirovrata and is dedicated to its observances.[56] (5) The individual performing the rituals related to cow dung and ashes.[57]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) Individuals who worship and are devoted to Krishna.[58] (2) Those who show reverence and surrender to Krishna, often gaining his grace.[59] (3) Servants of the Supreme Lord who seek transcendence and divine connection.[60]
From: Padma Purana
(1) An individual who has strong faith, especially in the context of listening to the narrations of Prithu.[61] (2) Individuals who show reverence and loyalty towards a divine figure, in this context, Rama.[62]
From: Bhagavadgita
(1) A person who is devoted to spiritual practice and understanding, striving to unite with the supreme self.[63] (2) An individual who sincerely dedicates themselves to spiritual practice and devotion to the divine.[64]
From: Linga Purana
(1) A worshipper who performs rituals and installations with devotion.[65] (2) A person committed to practicing devotion and worship, especially towards Lord Shiva.[66]
From: Bhagavad-gita-mahatmya
(1) A pure follower who deeply engages with the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita, especially the eighteenth chapter.[67]
From: Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya)
(1) An individual who practices devotion, worshiping the goddess with sincerity and seeking spiritual growth.[68]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) Individuals who dedicate themselves to the worship of Parameshvara, embodying love and devotion as their primary means of spiritual practice.[69]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) The role assumed by the goldsmith in the Arabic version where he presents himself as a loyal well-wisher to the king.[70] (2) a character who rescues the starving Brahman by offering rice, demonstrating the theme of charity.[71]
From: Bhishma Charitra
(1) A sincere follower engaged in worship and practice aimed at achieving spiritual enlightenment and salvation.[72]
From: Prasthanatrayi Swaminarayan Bhashyam (Study)
(1) A follower of Parabrahman who seeks fulfillment through the unitive experience with the divine while retaining a distinct relationship as a servant.[73]
From: Mundaka Upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) Faithful followers who recognize and worship the Lord; their devotion is linked to perceiving His presence.[74]
From: Shiva Gita (study and summary)
(1) A person who worships and shows devotion to Lord Shiva and seeks blessings through various rituals.[75]
From: Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
(1) A person engaged in worship and the observance of rituals.[76] (2) A follower or believer who, through rituals like wearing Bhasma, seeks a deeper connection with the divine.[77]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) Individuals who show reverence and devotion to God, specifically those who bow in this context.[78]
From: Manasara (English translation)
(1) Individuals depicted in sculptural representations with superhuman qualities, structured based on their spiritual advancement stages.[79]
From: Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
(1) A person who worships God and, upon attaining Moksha, resides in heaven as a servant of God.[80]
The concept of Devotee in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Devotee" encompasses a range of meanings, including performers of Manipuri dance, participants in rituals for Mahadevji and Lord Jhulelal, and individuals who express devotion through music and prayer, reflecting diverse spiritual practices.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Individuals who dedicate themselves to the worship and reverence of a divine figure, regardless of its form.[81] (2) A beautiful rendition of a Manipuri dance popularized by Shrimati Hutheesing and the Tagore Players, showcasing her versatility.[82] (3) An individual who expresses love and devotion to God, often encapsulated through songs and prayers in the Haridasa tradition.[83] (4) Refers to committed followers of a particular faith, whose spiritual practices and devotion are often reflected in South Indian music.[84]
From: Folk Tales of Gujarat (and Jhaverchand Meghani)
(1) Followers or believers who participate in the rituals and offerings to Mahadevji.[85]
From: Lord Jhulelal: An Analytical Study
(1) Individuals who participate in the rituals of worship for Lord Jhulelal, adhering to the rules and practices laid out in the book.[86]