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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.

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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 ...
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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 ...
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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?
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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 ...
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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-...
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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-...
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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 ...
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Six aspects of surrender mentioned in Pancharatra texts?

Recently while exploring the topic of Devotion or Bhakti , I came across the info. that there are six aspects of surrender to the Lord , mentioned in Pancharatra texts. So my question is - What are ...
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Details on Nava vidha Bhakti

Vaishanivsm has categorized Bhakti into nine groups: “Sravanam Keerthanam Vishnoo: Smaranam Pada Sevanam Archanam Vandhanam Dhasyam Sakhyam Athma Nivedhanam” They are: 1.Sravanam – Listen ...
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How worship will help to merge with brahman?

How can worship help to get self-realization? If I chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' continuously, then will that give me moksha? If Chanting is also part of worship, what is the connection between chanting ...
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What are Manda Bhakti, Madyama Bhakti and Uttama Bhakti?

As the question says, what are those three stages of Bhakti viz. Manda Bhakti, Madhyama Bhakti and Uttama Bhakti?
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Why did Pundalika order Lord Krishna to stand on the stone?

I have heard the folk story about Pundalika. He was busy with doing some work and suddenly Lord Krishna came to his home. He ordered Lord Krishna to stand up on the stone. If this is true, then I ...
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How exactly do we define devotion?

I would like to understand the definition of the term 'devotion' from two different perspective: Bachelor person (brahmchari) Married person Reason is that as a bachelor you are free to opt for any ...
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What are the steps for following Bhakti Yoga?

We can find the steps for following Jnana Yoga from this answer, similarly, what are the steps to be followed for Bhakti Yoga? How can someone choose which tradition of Bhakhi is suitable for ...
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What are the legends of Narasih Mehta?

In Gujarat there was a saint named Narasih Mehta, it is heard that he is a renowned saint and famous as well as the kind person. I would like to know his full story. What I heard about him was Lord ...
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How regional is Hinduism? [closed]

I know that different Gods, or different manifestations of Ultimate Reality, are worshiped in different regions. Furthermore, there is a lot of linguistic diversity across Bhārat. So, I'm wondering: ...
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What is the difference between Jijnashu and Jnani Bhaktas mentioned in Bhagavad Gita?

There are four types of Bhaktas (devotee) mentioned in Srimad Bhagavad Gita: Arta (आर्त​) Artharthi (अर्थार्थी) Jijnashu (जिज्ञासु) Jnani (ज्ञानी) चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन। आर्तो ...
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Does any principal upanishad advocate devotion to a personal God?

According to Wiki: "Bhakti in Indian religions is "emotional devotionalism", particularly to a personal god or to spiritual ideas" Do any principal upanishads recommend devotion to a personal God?
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Does the concept of enlightenment apply to sects which only believe in Bhakti?

Enlightenment as applied to enlightened being such as Ramana Maharishi implies a radical change of consciousness from the everyday state. Does that apply to followers of sects that only believe in ...
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How should a devotee respond to bigotry towards his or her ishta?

Following some attacks on certain deities on this site, a question has arisen on my mind on how such statements should be responded by devotees. For example, if a person comes to a devotee and ...
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What is mahAnubhAv panth?

Mahanubhava panth is related to bhakti movement. How did it come to existence? What are it's central teachings? Who propagated the sect ? What is the current position?
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What is the story of chokha mela?

Chokha was a saint from Maharashtra bhakti movement. He is known to have faced many difficulties due to caste but continued the good work. One of his well known abhanga which reflects social norms ...
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What is the life story and miracles associated with kanakadasa?

Kanaka dasa was a poet saint hailing from Karnataka region. He belonged to the bhakti sampradaya and composed many devotional songs and kirtans especially on lord Krishna It is also said that some ...
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Where does Vaduga Nambi call two other shishyas of Ramanujacharya double-minded?

The famous Sri Vaishnava Acharya Ramanujacharya had 74 disciples, known as the Simhasanadhipatis, but three of his closest disciples were Kurathalwan, Mudhaliandan, and Vaduga Nambi. Kurathalwan is ...
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Is there a difference between the concepts explained in Shandilya and Narada Bhakti Sutras

I came across a notion that Bhakti Sutra that Shandilya Bhakti Sutra (SBS) is devoted to Nirguna Brahman and the Narada Bhakti Sutra (NBS) focuses on devotion to Saguna Brahman. Another notion is that ...
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Does listening to Hanuman Chalisa every day give the same benefits as chanting the Hanuman Chalisa? [duplicate]

Does listening to Hanuman Chalisa every day give the same benefits as chanting the Hanuman Chalisa?
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Why Devas are worshiped by humans? Where all are one Brahman?

I don't know that why Devas are worshiped by humans? In another word, it can be said that, they are worshiped by themselves. Because, We know that all thing, all creature of this world are one Brahman....
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Why do we worship Devas? Because they are immortal etc., ? [duplicate]

The followers of Hindu religion generally worship Devas(Devtas), whereas we know that real creator of this world is Trideva, not Devas. And also we know that all Devas are son(next generation and ...
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Which scriptures declare the supremacy of devotees over God? [duplicate]

Many saints often say that devotees are superior to God. The sixteenth century saint Goswami Tulsidas, for example, once said: Hanuman as a devotee of Rama is greater than Rama Himself Do any ...
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which traditions call god by derogatory terms to express love?

siva is called "pittan" or madman as a term of endearment in tamil. there is a famous double-meaning sentence to tie lemons and snakes together "pittan mudiyerum" = ascends to the head of a madman - ...
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What are some of the devotional works by Madhusudan Saraswati?

Madhusudhan Saraswati, the author of the famous work, Advaitasiddhi was a Vaishnava belonging to the Shankarite sect. A great devotee of Shri Krishna, he is said to have been initially against Advaita ...
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Is it mandatory to follow one Marga?

Bhagavad Gita says: Bg 12.9 — My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a ...
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Do the Vedas say anything about Bhakti? [duplicate]

An Arya Samaji recently claimed to me that the Vedas do not talk about bhakti-yoga but only jnana-yoga and karma-yoga. Is he right to say that the concept of bhakti is not present in the Vedas. Note: ...
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How not to displease Lord Hanuman

I am a great devotee of Lord Hanuman and want to be careful with my actions. I want to know, being a devotee of Lord Hanuman what things should I avoid which might displease him.
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How can one increase bhakti?

How can a person increase his or her bhakti? Do scriptures give any guidance or advice over this issue?
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What are the teachings of saint JanA bAi?

She was one of the famous.saints in the vArkari bhakti movement. What were the principles she preached?
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Whose avatar was Sri nAmdev?

One of the eminent saintly figure of bhakti tradition was Sri nAmdev. Whose avatar is he believed to be ? What were the.miracles in his life ?
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Whose avatar was Sri Eknath?

Sri Eknath was one of the famous saints from the Varkari line of Bhakti tradition. Whose incarnation was he ?
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Whose avatar was SripAda Srivallabha?

One of the well known spiritual guru of India was SripAda Srivallabha. Whose avatar was he ?
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Whose avatar was saint Jnaneshwar?

Sant gyaneshwar (dnyaneshwar) was a famous saint from maharastrian bhakti movement (varkari). Whose avatar was he ?
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Looking for that passage or verse from Ramayana where Rama acknowldeges the power of Bhakti

So pleased with Hanuman at a certain time in Ramayana Lord Rama declares that by dint of his love and Bhakthi Hanuman has become in fact even more powerful than himself (Rama)... a sort of win-over. ...
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Who are some great devotees of Lord Ganesha from the scriptures?

I am looking for the names of some Lord Ganesha devotees.Those names have to be mentioned in the scriptures. In scriptures (like the PurAnas) we often find such names. For example, PrahlAda was a ...

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