Definition

Noun: 1. A spiritual path or practice within Hinduism characterized by loving, personal devotion to a deity: It is one of the primary means to achieve spiritual liberation (moksha), emphasizing emotional attachment, faith, and surrender to a personal god, such as Vishnu, Shiva, or the Goddess. 2. The intense, loving devotion itself: The profound feeling of love, adoration, and dedication directed toward the divine.

Usage

• Bhakti is a central concept in Hindu religious practice and philosophy.
• It is often discussed in contrast with other spiritual paths like (the path of knowledge) or (the path of action).
• The term is used to describe both the practice and the resulting emotional state of devotion.

Examples

• The saint's poetry expressed pure bhakti for Lord Krishna.
• The bhakti movement made spiritual practice accessible to everyone.
• Her life was dedicated to the path of bhakti.

Advanced Usage

• Bhakti yoga: The yoga or spiritual discipline of devotion, one of the main paths () to spiritual realization in Hindu thought. It involves practices like prayer, chanting, ritual worship (), and hearing stories of the deity.
• Bhakti rasa: The aesthetic sentiment or "flavor" of devotion experienced in religious poetry, music, and art.

Variants and Related Words

• Bhakta (noun): A devotee; one who practices bhakti.
• Bhaktimarga (noun): The path of devotion.

Synonyms

• Devotion
• Adoration
• Piety
• Worship
• Reverence

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Path of bhakti: The devotional way to reach the divine.
• Spirit of bhakti: The attitude of selfless love and surrender.

Noun

1. (Hinduism) loving devotion to a deity leading to salvation and nirvana; open to all persons independent of caste or sex