The Path of Devotion

First Created: May 15,2001
Page Last Updated: September 07,2008

Bhakti (from bhaj in Sanskrit, to revere): Devotion, intense personal attachment to God; in Hindu philosophy and thought, Bhakti is one of the ways to reach God; also the name of an important religious and social movement in medieval India that propagated Bhakti.

Introduction

To understand the many fascinating aspects of Indian culture and life, one must understand the role of devotion in India. Devotion is perhaps the only thing that binds the people of India, superceding such barriers as languages, caste of birth, religious beliefs, and racial diversity.

Sometime in medieval India., a new religious movement broke out in India that emphasized the devotion to God, as sole means of salvation. Collectively known as the Bhakti Movement, it left a very profound impact on the life and culture of Indians in the subsequent centuries. 

In this section at Kamat's Potpourri, Dr. Jyotsna Kamat documents the biographies of some of the important proponents of The Path of Devotion.

An (evolving) accompanying study guide, Appeasing God will explore this topic in detail with personal anecdotes, and a pictorial exhibition.

-Ed.

Table of Contents

• Adi Shankaracharya
• The Alvars
• Saint Ramanand
• Guru Nanak
• Guru Ravidas
• Important Proponents of the Bhakti Movement
• Kanakadasa - Poet among Saints
• Married to God -- the bridal mysticism
• Pictorial Exhibition of Devotion in India
• Saint Madhwacharya
• Saint Purandaradas and Carnatic Music
• Saint Tukaram
• Saint Kabir
• Saint Mirabai
• Sri Ramanujacharya

List of Pictures

• Adi Shankaracharya
• Andal - A Lady Saint of South India
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 - 1534)
• Guru Ghasidas
• Guru Madhvacharya
• Madhvacharya (guru) teaching a Desciple
• Sage Basaveshwara who founded the Lingayat cult in 12th century
• Saint Eknath
• Saint Mirabai
• Saint Namadeo (Namadev)
• Saint Ramanujacharya
• Sant Ravidas
• Sant Tukaram
• Swami Haridas (1478-1573)
• Swami Ramanand

Introduction | Important Proponents | Pictures
Alvars | Shankara |Bridal Devotion | The Alvars | Ramanuja | Madhva | Ravidas
Meerabai | Guru Nanak | Chaitanya | Purandaradas
Ramananda | Kabir | Tukaram | Kanakadas

See Also:

• List of Hindu Gods and Goddesses

• Hinduism Potpourri -- Hindu arts, and culture at Kamat's Potpourri

• The Holy Men of India -- classification of holy men from India into teachers, sages, saints, priests, ascetics, and philosophers; includes a fascinating picture exhibition.