Bhakti

Bhakti is a Tamil or Sanskrit term from Hinduism that means intense devotion expressed by action (service). A person who practices bhakti is called bhakta. The concept of devotion is more or less the same in all religions. But in Hinduism there are certain extra subtleties which make it comparatively more complicated. These are : the One Reality versus many ?Gods? of worship; deity worship through ? idols? , ?icons? and ?images?; the freedom to choose one?s own ?favourite deity?, at the same time not being exclusive; and the interactive ramifications of God?s grace, fate and free will. Although some element of Bhakti was present even in the Vedic times, it is over the last six or seven centuries that Bhakti has taken the modern shape. The Bhakti movement started in Tamil Nadu and spread slowly northwards, becoming eventually a pervasive feature of Hinduism. The Alvars and Nayanars initiated the concept of Bhakti as a means of attaining salvation. Bhakti is considered the easiest and the fastest spiritual path in Kali Yuga.

Related Topics:
Tamil - Sanskrit - Hinduism - Bhakti movement - Tamil Nadu - Alvars - Nayanars - Kali Yuga

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