Significance of Bhakti
Synonyms: Devotion, Worship, Faith, Allegiance, Surrender, Piety, Dedication, Loyalty, Reverence
In Dutch: Bhakti; In German: Bhakti; In Finnish: Bhakti; In Swedish: Bhakti; In Malay: Bhakti; In French: Bhakti; In Spanish: 顿别惫辞肠颈贸苍
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'
Bhakti in Hinduism encompasses various forms of devotion and loving service to God, particularly Krishna, seen as crucial for spiritual realization and liberation, emphasizing love, surrender, and unwavering faith as key elements of practice.
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: 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: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) Devotional worship in the context of the Bhagavata religion, which emphasizes love and devotion towards God.[44] (2) Devotion or love towards God, which is harmonized with Spiritual Knowledge in the Gita.[45] (3) Devotion characterized by an intense, selfless love for the divine.[46] (4) Devotional service or devotion, explored within Samkhya philosophy, especially in the context of personal relationships with the divine.[47] (5) The term for devotion or love towards God, which is central to the Path of Devotion emphasized in the Gita.[48]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) Devotion or love for God, considered one of the paths to achieving quiescence of mind and spiritual realization.[49]
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.[50] (2) Devotion or love for God, a central aspect of certain Tantric practices that emphasizes personal connection with the divine.[51] (3) Devotion expressed towards a deity or divine principle, fundamental to the practice and realization in Tantra.[52] (4) The path of devotion as a form of Yoga leading to union with the divine through love and surrender.[53] (5) Devotion or love towards the divine, which plays a crucial role in spiritual practice and advancement.[54]
From: Kathopanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) Devotion or love towards the Supreme, which is crucial for attaining liberation and understanding the self.[55]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) Devotion and love toward the divine, important in realizing the nature of Brahman.[56]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Devotional love and surrender to God, viewed as a vital component of the spiritual path.[57]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) A devotional practice focusing on the worship of God, which is especially accessible to followers of Saguna Brahman.[58]
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.[59]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) Devotion characterized by love and emotional connection in the practice of worship towards Vishnu.[60] (2) The devotional aspect of worship, emphasizing love and devotion to God.[61] (3) Devotion or love towards God, which is an essential aspect of worship in this context.[62] (4) The practice of devotion, considered the most effective method for attaining salvation according to the teachings of the Gita.[63]
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.[64]
Jain concept of 'Bhakti'
In Jainism, Bhakti signifies a devotion-focused area of study highlighted by Upadhyaya Yashovijaya, emphasizing deep love and reverence towards a chosen deity, exemplified in the follower-deity relationship with Shramana Bhagavan Mahavira.
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.[65]
The concept of Bhakti in local and regional sources
Bhakti is an intense devotion to God emphasized in Hinduism as a means of spiritual attainment, involving love for the divine, worship of all beings, and a significant focus in texts like the Upanishads and Puranas.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The principal Goddess in Narayanan's life, unveiled as a key aspect of his personality, indicating his devotion and faith.[66] (2) The devotional aspect of spirituality in Vaishnavism, encompassing various forms and expressions of faith.[67] (3) A devotional concept in Hinduism highlighting complete surrender and love for God, as discussed by Tulasidas.[68] (4) A movement emphasizing devotion and personal connection to a divine being, reflected in various forms of literature.[69] (5) Devotion and love towards God, discussed within the context of various Upanishads.[70]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Bhakti, or devotion, is mentioned as a means to unify the whole world in the Ramakrishna Incarnation, along with Prema (Divine Love).[71] (2) The text mentions Bhakti, or devotion, as a path that can be reconciled with Jnana, implying different approaches to spiritual realization.[72] (3) The doctrine of this, or love for the Divine, is not a result of Western influence, and it is a central idea in India, characterized by love without fear.[73] (4) Bhakti signifies devotion and love for God, which, along with Mukti, cannot be achieved until one escapes from the wheel of Samsara and the slavery of desire.[74] (5) The author is currently in this state, which is taking the place of another concept as the author ages, implying a shift in spiritual focus.[75]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) Devotion or love for God, often manifesting in service, worship, and surrender.[76] (2) Devotion to God, considered one of the principal means of spiritual attainment in Hindu practice.[77] (3) A devotional aspect of worship characterized by love and devotion to God, prominent in the practices of the Vaishnavas.[78] (4) Devotion or love for God, which the king exhibited through his actions towards saints.[79] (5) Devotion and love for God, emphasized as a means through which evil is kept away from the devotee.[80]