Bhakti (भक्ति)

Bhakti is loving devotion toward God performed with the desire to please Him rather than oneself.

JKP Literature

— 1 min read

Bhakti (भक्ति | bhakti) means to serve. However, the term is used in several different ways.

Depending on the context, bhakti may refer to the act of serving, the path of attaining God by loving and serving Him or it might mean the internal omnipotent power of God.

For this reason, the intended meaning of bhakti must always be understood from the surrounding context.

Understanding

Since bhakti means "to serve" per Sanskrit Grammar, human beings can serve either God or the living beings created by His inert material power Maya.

The latter is also referred to as serving Maya. And we are very well aware if this.

The Vedic scriptures categorically state that Bhakti is the only means that makes God-realization possible.

Bhakti is to lovingly serve God with the desire to please Him rather than oneself.

Bhakti is not merely ritual, worship, emotional expression, religious identity, or intellectual belief. Bhakti means is the loving attachment of the soul toward God.

The scriptures further explain that genuine Bhakti is selfless. As long as devotion is performed for worldly pleasure, heavenly enjoyment, powers, prestige, or even liberation, it remains mixed with personal desire.

Jagadguruttam Swami Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj explains that the highest form of Bhakti is performed exclusively for the happiness of God. In such devotion, the devotee gradually forgets selfish desires and becomes absorbed in loving remembrance, service, surrender, and attachment toward the Divine.

The Vedic scriptures also distinguish between:

  • Sadhana Bhakti — devotional practice performed through effort while the soul remains under Maya.
  • Siddha Bhakti — perfected Divine devotion bestowed through Divine Grace after God-realization.

Bhakti is not produced by the material mind. Divine Bhakti is a power of God Himself and is ultimately bestowed through Divine Grace.

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Appears In

  • Prema Rasa Siddhanta — Philosophy of Divine Love

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