A glossary of key terms related to Bhakti:

[Bhava dasa (ACBSP)]

A glossary of key terms related to Bhakti:

A
• Abhisheka – Ritual bathing of a deity’s idol with sacred substances like milk, water, or honey.
• Aarti – A ritual of worship involving the waving of a lamp before a deity while singing hymns.
• Alwar – Tamil poet-saints devoted to Vishnu, central to the Bhakti movement in South India.

B
• Bhajan – Devotional song or hymn expressing love for the divine.
• Bhakta – A devotee engaged in Bhakti (devotional worship).
• Bhakti – Loving devotion to a personal deity as a spiritual path.
• Bhakti Yoga – The path of devotion, one of the main yogic paths leading to liberation.

C
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – A key 16th-century incarnation of Krishna and proponent of Bhakti in Bengal.
• Chanting – Repetition of divine names or mantras as a form of devotion.

D
• Darshan – Viewing and receiving the blessings of a deity or saint.
• Dasya Bhakti – Devotional attitude of servitude toward God, like Hanuman’s devotion to Rama.
• Diksha – Initiation into a spiritual practice by a guru.

G
• Gopi Bhava – The intense devotion of the gopis (cowherd women) of Vrindavan to Krishna.
• Guru Bhakti – Devotion to one’s spiritual teacher.

H
• Harikatha – Storytelling about the glories of God, often accompanied by music and dance.
• Harinam Sankirtan – Congregational chanting of divine names, particularly in Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

J
• Japa – Repetition of a mantra or divine name, often using prayer beads.
• Jnana Bhakti – Devotion combined with spiritual wisdom and knowledge.

K
• Katha – Religious discourse or narration of divine stories.
• Kirtan – Call-and-response chanting of hymns and mantras in praise of the divine.
• Kripa – Divine grace, often considered essential for spiritual progress.

L
• Lila – The divine play or pastimes of a deity, such as Krishna’s childhood exploits.

M
• Madhurya Bhakti – Devotion expressed in the mood of a lover, as seen in Radha-Krishna devotion.
• Mantra – A sacred sound or phrase used in devotional meditation and worship.
• Murti – A physical idol or image of a deity used for worship.

N
• Nam Sankirtan – Chanting the names of God as a primary spiritual practice.
• Narada Bhakti Sutra – An important text outlining the principles of Bhakti.

P
• Paduka – The sandals of a saint or deity, often worshiped as a symbol of divine presence.
• Parampara – A lineage of spiritual teachers passing down teachings and devotion.
• Prasada – Sacred food offered to the deity and then distributed to devotees.
• Prem Bhakti – The highest form of pure love and devotion to God.

R
• Radha Bhava – The devotional mood of Radha, Krishna’s foremost devotee.
• Raganuga Bhakti – Spontaneous devotion based on deep, natural love for God.
• Rasa – The emotional flavors or moods in devotional worship, such as love, servitude, or friendship.

S
• Sadhana Bhakti – Devotional practices aimed at cultivating Bhakti.
• Satsang – Association with devotees or spiritual gatherings focused on devotion.
• Seva – Selfless service performed as an act of devotion.
• Shravan Bhakti – Devotion through listening to sacred stories and teachings.

T
• Tulsi – The sacred plant associated with devotion to Vishnu and Krishna.
• Tilak – A symbolic mark worn on the forehead, representing devotion to a deity.

V
• Vaishnavism – A major tradition of Hinduism focused on devotion to Vishnu and his avatars.
• Vatsalya Bhakti – Devotion in the mood of parental love, as Yashoda had for Krishna.
• Viraha Bhakti – Devotion expressed through longing and separation from the divine.

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