In
Hindu theology, a 'bhakta' is a devotee of a particular form of
God, such as
Vishnu,
Krishna or
Rama. It is also often applied to worshippers of
Shiva, and is popularly used within Sikhism wherein
Guru Nanak is said to have 'received information that God was almighty from the Bhaktas'. In common use it means 'one who follows the path of
bhakti', often referred to as
bhakti yoga (the yoga of
devotion).
Scriptural references
★ ''"Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee (bhakta), offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me."'' (
Bhagavad Gita 9.34)
★ ''"The bhaktas, who are always engaged in the service of the toes of the lotus feet of the Lord, can very easily overcome hard-knotted desires for fruitive activities. Because this is very difficult, the nondevotees -- the
jnanis and
yogis -- although trying to stop the waves of sense gratification, cannot do so. Therefore you are advised to engage in the devotional service of Krishna, the son of
Vasudeva"'' (
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.22.39)
See also
★
Dharmic religion
★
Bhakti movement
★
Vaishnavism