bhakti

In Hinduism, a tradition of worship that emphasizes devotion to a personal god as the sole necessary means for achieving salvation. It developed in southern India in the 6th–8th centuries and in northern India from the 14th century.

In northern India, bhakti was in part a social protest movement. The poet Kabir 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 that later gave rise to the Hare Krishna sect.

Originally, the bhakti movement developed in southern 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-Gītā; 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 northern India included the Hindu poet Tulsi Das (?1543–1623) and the saint Tukaram (17th century).