Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Bhägavata Puräæa 36

the Mahäbhärata. Much commented

upon by hundreds of Indian authors

since ŸA¢KARA(2) (eighth century) and

translated into all major languages of

the world, it is the best-known Hindu

scripture worldwide.

Bhägavata Puräæa

Although of comparatively recent origin

(12th century?) it is one of the most

popular and most important scriptures

of Hinduism. Its central theme is KØÆŒA

and his exploits. It is frequently recited

publicly and has been commented upon

by classical and modern authors.

Bhägavata saƒpradäya, also

Bhägavatism

See VAIÆŒAVISM.

Bhägïrathï

A section of the Ganges. According to

an old legend, King Bhägïratha of the

solar dynasty subjected himself to aus-

tere penances for a long time to bring

the celestial river GA¢GÄdown from the

heavens to purify the ashes of his

60,000 ancestors. To honour his memo-

ry one of the three main branches of the

Gaögä was called Bhägïrathï.

Bhairava (‘the frightening one’)

One of the eight forms of Ÿiva (AÆTA-

MÜRTI), worshipped especially by sects

such as the Kälamukhas. Bhairava is

often depicted riding on a dog and is

therefore called Ÿväÿva, ‘(one) whose

horse is a dog’. There are eight manifes-

tations of Bhairava: Asitäöga (black

limbed); Sanhära (destruction); Ruru

(dog); Käla (black); Krodha (anger);

Tamracüõä (red-crested); Candracüõä

(moon-crested); Mahä (great).

bhajan (‘song’)

Especially religious songs that are sung

by groups of devotees, a very popular

and widespread custom among Hindus.

bhakti (‘devotion’)

A central feature of Hinduism, especial-

ly in the BHAKTI-MÄRGA, the ‘path of

devotion’. It is set off over against

KARMA/karma-märga, the ‘path of ritual

(action)’ and JÑÄNA/jñäna-märga, the

‘path of knowledge’. It consists in outer

and inner acts of worship of a personal

deity, often embodied in an IMAGE. It

characterizes popular Hinduism but has

also been elaborated into a sophisticat-

ed theological and liturgical system by

authorities such as RÄMÄNUJA,

MADHVA, RÜPA GOSVAMI, Jïva Gosvami

and many others. Bhaktiwas promoted

in South India by the ÄLVÄRSbetween

the sixth and the ninth centuries CE; in

North India by a large number of SANTS

from the 12th to the 16th centuries.

bhakti-märga (‘path of devotion’)

One of the three traditional methods of

finding spiritual fulfilment. The various

Bhakti (devotion) to Kø•æa.

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