(Sanskrit “devotion”) In Hinduism, a tradition of worship that emphasizes devotion to a personal god as the sole necessary means for achieving salvation. It developed in S India in the 6th–8th centuries and in N India from the 14th century.
In N India bhakti was in part a social protest movement. The poet Kabir (1440–1518) synthesized Hinduism and Islam to produce a new mystic philosophy. Nanak, influenced by Kabir, founded the Sikh religion. In Bengal, Caitanya led a popular bhakti movement which later gave rise to the Hare Krishna sect.
Originally the bhakti movement developed in S India around a group known as the Alvar poets, eventually finding expression in the writings of Ramanuja (died 1137). Its principal ancient text is the Bhagavad-Gita; its popular writings are mostly in the form of devotional poems and songs. It is associated with the Vaishnava tradition of Vishnu worship. Leading figures in N India included Tulsi Das (?1543–1623) and Tukaram (17th century).