Bhakti Definition in Vivekachudamani

In Adi Shankara’s Vivekachudamani (Verses 31–32), devotion (Bhakti) is defined through the lens of Advaita Vedanta as self-inquiry and the contemplation of the Self (Atman):

Verse 31

मोक्षकारणसामग्र्यां भक्तिरेव गरीयसी ।
स्वस्वरूपानुसन्धानं भक्तिरित्यभिधीयते ॥ ३१ ॥

“Among things conducive to Liberation, devotion (Bhakti) holds the supreme place. The seeking after one’s real nature is designated as devotion.”

Verse 32

स्वात्मतत्त्वानुसन्धानं भक्तिरित्यपरे जगुः ।

“Others maintain that the inquiry into the truth of one’s own self is devotion.”

For the full verses, transliterations, and details, see the main note: Vivekachudamani: Bhakti.

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References: Bhakti