Bhakti
भक्तिस्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine) · भज् धातु (bhaj — to serve, worship, share) + ति प्रत्यय
bhakti
Practices and Paths
Devotion — intelligent and loving participation in Īśvara
Bhakti is devotion born from understanding, not blind faith. In Vedānta, bhakti is the attitude of recognizing Īśvara in everything and offering all actions to Him. It is not sentimentalism — it is a constant orientation of the mind that prepares the student for knowledge. The Bhagavad Gītā teaches that bhakti, karma-yoga, and jñāna are complementary, not opposed.
Using this in academic work? Get formal citation
Vishva Vidya (2026). Bhakti (भक्ति). Vishva Vidya — Vedanta. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/bhakti
Vishva Vidya. "Bhakti (भक्ति)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026, https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/bhakti.
Vishva Vidya. "Bhakti (भक्ति)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/bhakti.
Related terms
Want to study Vedānta in depth?
Learn about our study programs →