Bhakti

Bhakti is a Tamil or a Sanskrit term from Hinduism meaning devotion to god. A person who practices bhakti is called bhakta.

Hindu writers, theologians and philosophers have distinguished nine forms of bhakti, for example in the Bhagavatha-Purana and according to Tulsidas. The booklet Narada bhakti sutra written by an unknown author distinguishes eleven forms based on the different relationship to God that the devotee can assume.

Although some element of Bhakti was present even in the Vedic times, it is over the last 500 years or so that Bhakti has been developed fully. It is considered as the easiest and the fastest spiritual path in Kali Yuga.

See:

• bhakti yoga The Philosophy and practice of Bhakti
• bhakti movement