Questions tagged [bhakti]
bhakti (Sanskrit: भक्ति, "devotion"), from Sanskrit verb root bhaj, whose meanings include "to share in", "to belong to", and "to worship" — is an expression of devotional Love for God; single-minded devotion to one's Iswara, or personal deity. One who practices bhakti is called a bhakta, while bhakti as a spiritual path is referred to as bhakti marga, or the bhakti way.
126
questions
1
vote
0answers
17 views
Copy of the Sukti Sudhakar
I tried searching online for an English copy of the Sukti Sudhakar, but I could only find Hindi copies. Can anyone provide a link to an English version (or a Sanskrit to English version) of this book? ...
1
vote
0answers
29 views
What are Bhakti Sutras? How many Bhakti Sutras are there?
I have heard of Narada Bhakti Sutra and Shandilya Bhakti Sutra. These are canonical Sanskrit treatizes on Bhakti Marga (Devotional Path). How many Bhakti Sutras are there?
I have also doubt about how ...
4
votes
2answers
341 views
Why Hindu Gods do not protect Hindus anymore in the modern day?
I read a book on atrocities performed on Hindus in the past 200 years by invaders. By reading it, anybody's faith will be shaken to the core.
For example, there is one account was of a Muslim invader ...
3
votes
0answers
39 views
Does Patibhakti lead to Moksha?
Pati is a jivatma, not paramatma. What systems of thought say that having bhakti for jivatmas is a valid way to Moksha? Could Swamibhakti, patibhakti, or bhakti for characters like Bharat, etc lead to ...
2
votes
1answer
44 views
Is Bhakti is part of Upasana or It is connected with any of the Darshana?
This verse of the Srimad-Bhagavatam is very popular and a favorite of the Advaita Acharyas:
योगास्त्रयो मया प्रोक्ता न्èणां श्रेयोविधित्सया ।
ज्ञानं कर्म च भक्तिश्च नोपायोऽन्योऽस्ति कुत्रचित॥ (११.२०.६)...
4
votes
0answers
59 views
Who are Veeras? Does a devotee after death becomes a Veera?
Veeras are described in the Tantrik scriptures as the souls who have attained special blessings from the Deity they chant name of. Does it mean a devotee after death becomes a Veera?
There are many ...
3
votes
0answers
56 views
During the period of practising silence(mauna), bhajan /kirtan is allowed or not?
Suppose if someone is practicing mauna( silence) , then kirtan/bhajan is allowed or not ?
My thinking : Practice of mouna mean don't produce any sound(voices) from mouth .when we do kirtan/bhajan ...
1
vote
0answers
62 views
Is there evidence of the miracles of Tulsidas?
Several miracles are attributed to the great medieval poet and philosopher Tulsidas, among them reviving the dead, and one of the ones that most caught my attention, his arrest by Emperor Akbar, and ...
3
votes
0answers
98 views
Why is the Madhurya Bhakti Bhāva (Kaanta Bhakti) considered the topmost or the best bhāva (sentiment), that a devotee can practice?
As per this QnA , the different kinds of Bhakti-Bhāva / Rasa (i.e., Mode/Types of Devotion), which includes: Mādhurya, Vātsalya, Sākhya, Santa, Dāsya., aren't to be found in any of the ...
0
votes
1answer
128 views
Is there any Bhakti as we understand it today in the "Bhakti Yoga" chapter of the Gita? [closed]
like the Bhakti of Mirabai for Krishna.
or, like Swami Sivananda put it:
"Bhakti is the slender thread of Prem or love that binds the heart of a devotee with the lotus feet of the Lord. Bhakti is ...
5
votes
0answers
48 views
What gives the "spiritual - theological authenticity" to modern compositions like Chālīsās & ārtís?
Hanumāna Chālīsā is by far, one of the most popular devotional hymn to a God. It's authorship is credited to Tulsídāsa, although few other sources might also call it as a later interpolated addition ...
4
votes
0answers
45 views
Devotee granting boon to diety
It is normal and expected that a devotee receives boon from deities like Siva, Vishnu etc., But, I came across an incident in Mahabharata, in which Garuda grants boon to Vishnu.
"And the son of ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
Is it more helpful in any way to worship multiple deities?
I live in central India and I haven't met many people who only worship one particular deity or God. They may be partial to one over others, but they worship all dieties. Most temples also contain ...
4
votes
1answer
126 views
what is the difference between Bhakti yoga and karma yoga?
what is the difference between Bhakti yoga and Karma yoga?
I know that both paths are almost the same, I mean both motives are the way to salvation
I want to know what is the major difference between ...
4
votes
0answers
131 views
How to find a family's Kuladevata when all known sources have failed?
A lot of Hindu families these days don't know who their Kuladevata is. How can one find out, if there is no information available online, in the community, and if the elders in the family are not ...
0
votes
0answers
45 views
Henotheism in the Puranas?
The henotheism, a kind of halfway house between polytheism and monotheism reflects the demotion of the many gods of the Hindu pantheon to the position of portions (amsas) of one primary God.
This ...
1
vote
1answer
163 views
Can I create my own God?
I would like to know if it is possible to create my own God, and if so, will worshiping that god have the same value as worshiping others?
1
vote
1answer
150 views
What changes were done in people's mindset by Ramanujacharya?
After Adishankaracharya, people started to know about hinduism, nirguna brahman, jiva, worship etc, so similarly what our people known from Ramanujacharya.
What changes are done to people mindset and ...
1
vote
0answers
49 views
Why there are no graves of great devotees? [closed]
When a politician dies, we develop a park around it and the people will go to there every year on that day to memorize them.
There are some brindavanams constructed for some devotees who went on ...
5
votes
0answers
204 views
What Vedanta philosophy is followed in Utkaliya Vaishnava of Mahapurusha Achyutananda of Odisha?
Achyutananda (and the other four saints) believed in a concept of God (Vishnu) as Shunya (emptiness, void, zero) called Shunya Purusha and/or Shunya Brahman. This shunya signifies a transcendental ...
1
vote
0answers
86 views
Which scripture mentions the verse "Chandalohpi munisrestha haribhaktiparayanah..."?
Chandalohapi munisrestha haribhaktiparayanah | Haribhaktivihinashcha dviijohapi shvapachadhamah ||
English Translation: Chandalas with Hari Bhakti are superior to Munis. But if a Dvija is devoid of ...
3
votes
0answers
50 views
Condensed form of Shaiva Purana
Just wondering if there are any works like Narayaneeyam which is a condensed version of Srimad Bhagavatham, similar to Purana of Lord shiva, Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, etc., in Sanskrit language?
1
vote
0answers
30 views
9 Types of Devotion [duplicate]
I would like to share this Excerpts from: Sathya Sai Baba, Divine Discourse "Let Unity Be the Undercurrent Everywhere" 2 Mar 2003 regarding 9 types of devotion.
What are in details the 9 ...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
Where can one find the original bengali book of Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Jaiva Dharma?
I am look for the book Jaiva Dharma by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, an important Gaudiya Vaishnava Acharya. Any idea where i can find it?
2
votes
1answer
53 views
Where can I find the book Ujjvala nilamani of Srila Rupa Gosvami?
I am looking for the book Ujjvala nīlamaṇi. It is by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and has commentaries as well. Where can I find?
0
votes
0answers
52 views
relationship between tantra and devotion
I'm not really asking for the differences but I also believe that devotion as Lord Krishna mentions in Geeta is the best path for enlightnment.
I'm just curious if there is any relationship between ...
5
votes
1answer
91 views
Is sacrifice required for devotion?
If yes, how to quantify it? Is there any real devotion without sacrifice?
Suppose someone says he is really devoted, but doesnt sacrifice anything (time, money, thoughts etc) is he really devoted?
6
votes
3answers
570 views
Original version of Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram bhajan?
I would like to know about the original source and version and the author of the famous bhajan Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram. This bhajan was later edited and popularized by Gandhi. This was widely ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
deekshya vs. gyan what's the difference
When I read the bhagwat geeta I not even once came across the word deekshya only gyan , but outside the geeta and on majorly other forms of attaining liberation i.e. forms different from devotion I ...
2
votes
2answers
294 views
Is it possible that Lord Shri Krishna may reveal himself to his ardent devotees in the physical world itself?
What I mean is.. the final goal which we bhakts seek is just a glimpse of the particular God we are devotee of...
As the folklores keep on mentioning instances of thousands of divine lovers and bhakts ...
4
votes
1answer
352 views
Is there any statement that bhakti destroys karma?
The Bhagavad Gita 4.37 directly and explicitly says that jnAna or knowledge destroys all karmas.
मूल श्लोकः -
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन।
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
Where can I get good books / pdfs on Mira bai?
I wanted to read the life of Mira bai written by a devotee and not a historian who will try to cross verify whether the facts mentions are true or not. Poems are available online but a devotional book ...
2
votes
1answer
128 views
It is okay to believe in God , but why did we need to worship God? [duplicate]
I like the God, I like their stories, but what is his link with worship.
I know worship means thinking of god always.
If we do good to others, they will be happy. I.e. I can see that response is ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
How did Prahlada survive demoniac tortures?
The demons [Rākṣasas], the servants of Hiraṇyakaśipu, thus began
striking the tender parts of Prahlāda Mahārāja’s body with their
tridents. The demons all had fearful faces, sharp teeth and ...
1
vote
2answers
125 views
Is Gayatri and Yogic practice compatible with Pure Bhakti practice or not [closed]
This is my doubt, and now again...
Is Gayatri and Yogic practice compatible with Pure Bhakti practice or not?!
Explanation:
I have practiced many things and sādhanas, I'm not the first day, BUT...
...
2
votes
0answers
88 views
How to restore bhakti after you stopped praying for a long time? [closed]
I am an aspiring Sri Vaishnava in an Asian foreign country with the least minimum Sri Vaishnavas around for guidance and I have never met anyone except the temple priests from the local Perumal ...
0
votes
1answer
275 views
What is the historical origin of Bhakti?
In the Vedas, Karma Marga (path of action) and Gayn Marga (path of knowledge) are described. Upanishads (Vedanta or the end part of the Veda) talks about the path of knowledge, while the earlier Vedic ...
6
votes
0answers
135 views
Are there any Shaiva groups?
Like ISKCON is a Vaishnava group, are there any Shaiva groups? If I ever wanted to meet Shaivas, where would I find them?
2
votes
1answer
315 views
What are the names of the saints mentioned in the Bhaktamal?
Bhaktamal is a Ramanandi text written in in Braja language by Nabhadas in the seventeenth century. Written in poetry form, the work depicts the lives of more than two hundred Vaishnava saints across ...
3
votes
1answer
225 views
What is the Significance of 'paadaseva' of Sri Vishnu?
'Paada-Sevana' is one of the nine types of Bhakti. It is said that Devi Lakshmi 'got' Sri Vishnu by serving His lotus Feet. ('tad-anghri-bhajane lakshmih'). In images also we see Lakshmi doing 'pada-...
1
vote
0answers
37 views
What is the scriptural logic behind the equality of 'Naama' and 'Naami'?
The Bhakti literature emphasizes on the equality of 'Nama' and 'Naami'.For example, they say Lord Krishna and His name(Krishna) are one and the same.
What is the scriptural logic behind this? Also, ...
3
votes
2answers
213 views
Can Moksha be achieved through Bhakti towards a physical object?
I am looking for any scriptural sources relating to whether Bhakti towards a lover, a king, a country, or a physical idol can lead to Moksha by itself, or does one need to have Bhakti for the formless ...
6
votes
1answer
144 views
Did Ramanuja compose any devotional works?
I am not aware of any - and given his advocacy of devotion and surrender, it would be surprising if he did not compose any.
So - what are some of his devotional works?
2
votes
4answers
245 views
Does Gita say bhakti is topmost in any verses?
Does Bhagavad Gita say bhakti is best of all processes anywhere? If yes, does it say it is the only process for realizing god?
2
votes
0answers
58 views
How to have faith and devotion again?
I have become attached to all forbidden things rather than praying and worshiping.
How do I free myself of all hindrances to my faith and devotion?
1
vote
0answers
160 views
What is a broad summary of the differences and similarities between Bhaktic and Vedantic Hinduism? [closed]
Eastern Orthodox theologian, David Bentley Hart mentioned during an interview that he is able to reconcile the Christian Trinity with "certain schools of Bhaktic Hinduism and Vedanta".
This got me ...
6
votes
0answers
527 views
Do our scriptures give way to reduce or cross over Prarabdha Karma? [duplicate]
It is stated that Prarabdha Karma is the one which the person has to undergo without a doubt and cannot be changed unlike other Karma-s which can be changed.
But do we have a way to cross or ...
4
votes
1answer
989 views
Is devotion of Lord Hanuman is equal to devotion of Lord Shiva?
Hanuman is the partial incarnation of Lord Shiva. So if someone is devoting Lord Hanuman then it's mean he is devoting to Lord Shiva? For example: If one being told (from aspect of kundali or any ...
10
votes
2answers
457 views
Do any Sampradayas apart from the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya differentiate between Sharanagati and Bhakti Yoga?
According to Sri Vaishnavism, there are two paths to Moksha- Bhakti-Yoga and Sharanagati. Bhakti-Yoga to them is considered a longer and more difficult path to Moksha and involves Karma-Yoga and Jnana-...
11
votes
1answer
485 views
How a devotee of God leaves his body for Moksha?
Our body is city of 9 gates. My question is how a devotee leaves a body and is different from a Yogi who quits his body for Moksha.
Generally in Tantric Yoga it is said one whose soul exits through ...