Read the following passage and answer the questions given below: Bhakti comes from the Sanskrit term bhaj meaning ‘to divide or share.’ This
suggests an intimate, two-way relationship between the deity and devotee. Bhakti is directed towards Bhagavat, which is often translated as god, but also means one who possesses and shares bhaga, literally good fortune or bliss. The devotee, known as the bhakta or the bhagavata, shares his or her chosen deity’s bhaga.

1. What do we mean by the term ‘Bhakti’?
2. Who is Bhagavat?
3. What kind of a relationship does a devotee share with his deity?
4. How is a devotee related to his chosen deity?

Question

Read the following passage and answer the questions given below: Bhakti comes from the Sanskrit term bhaj meaning ‘to divide or share.’ This
suggests an intimate, two-way relationship between the deity and devotee. Bhakti is directed towards Bhagavat, which is often translated as god, but also means one who possesses and shares bhaga, literally good fortune or bliss. The devotee, known as the bhakta or the bhagavata, shares his or her chosen deity’s bhaga.

1.	What do we mean by the term ‘Bhakti’?
2.	Who is Bhagavat?
3.	What kind of a relationship does a devotee share with his deity?
4.	How is a devotee related to his chosen deity?

Accepted Answer

The word Bhakti is derived from a Sanskrit word &lsquo;bhaj&rsquo;, which means &lsquo;to divide or share&rsquo;.
Bhagvat means god. It also means one who possesses and shares bhaga.
The devotee shares an intimate, two-way relationship with the deity.
The devotee, known as the bhakta or the bhagavata, shares the bhaga of his or her chosen deity.

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