Bhakti Movement
Literal Meaning
The devotional movement
Etymology & Sanskrit Root
Sanskrit 'bhakti' (devotion): a broad medieval Indian religious movement emphasizing personal, emotional devotion to a chosen deity over ritual or caste.
Spiritual Insight & Context
The Bhakti movement produced many of the poet-saints (Kabir, Mirabai, the Alwars, the Sharanas) whose vernacular hymns still shape devotional practice across traditions today.