1. CONCEPT OF BHAKTI IN THE BHAKTIRATNAKARA OF SANKARDEVA
- Author
-
DIPANKOR NEOG
- Subjects
bhakti ,bhaktiratnakara ,uttama bhakti ,antaranga bhakti ,nirguna bhakti ,Language and Literature - Abstract
Bhaktiratnakara is one of the outstanding words of Sankardeva which was based on Vaishnavic thoughts. This is the only one work completely composed on Sanskrit by him. Of course Bhaktiratnakara is a doctrinal work on Bhakti, where Bhakti means devotional and ratnakara means ocean- the ocean of devotion. However, Bhaktiratnakara may be called a compilatory work The entire work consists 520 verses. All the verses are arranged in 30 individual chapters In the Bhaktiratnakara , Sankardeva describes four forms of Bhakti viz.- Sravana, Kirtana, Smarana and Arcana, while Bhagavatapurana speaks of nine different forms of Bhakti. Besides this Sankardeva classified bhakti into four categories as follow- a) Uttama Bhakti b) Antaranga Bhakti c) Nirguna Bhakti d) Saprema Bhakti These were described in Bhaktiratnakara at the chapters – XI; XII; XIII; XIV respectively. Uttama Bhakti- the highest forms of bhakti which consists of involuntary and disinterested performance of duties to the Lord. Antaranga bhakti or intimate or all loving devotion. Nirguna Bhakti or uninterrupted and disinterested devotion in the Supreme person. Saprema bhakti or purely emotional loving devotion, amounting to an intoxication with love. In Bhaktiratnakara he considers Bhakti as superior to liberation and considered the Uttama Bhakti as a best type of Bhakti. The Person, who follows the path of Uttama bhakti is called Uttama bhagavata – the best type of bhakta.
- Published
- 2020