The one great advantage of Bhakti is that it is the…
““The one great advantage of Bhakti is that it is the easiest and most natural way to reach the great divine end in view; it's great disadvantage is that in its lower forms it oftentimes degenerates into hideous fanaticism. The fanatical crew in Hinduism, Mohammedanism, or Christianity, have always been almost exclusively recruited from these worshippers [ sic ] on the lower planes of Bhakti. That singleness of attachment (Nishthâ) to a loved object, without which no genuine love can grow, is very often also the cause of the denunciation of everything else. All the weak and undeveloped minds in every religion or country have only one way of loving their own ideal, i.e., by hating every other ideal. Herein is the explanation of why the same man who is so lovingly attached to his own ideal of God, so devoted to his own ideal of religion, becomes a howling fanatic as soon as he sees or hears anything of any other ideal.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Bhakti can lead to profound devotion but also to extreme fanaticism when love becomes exclusive and intolerant.
In simple terms: Devotion can become intolerance.
Key Takeaway
Balance love with openness.
Themes
spirituality
devotion
fanaticism
tolerance
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- religious practice
- interfaith dialogue
- personal growth
- community leadership
Key Concepts
Bhakti
attachment
exclusivity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one practice deep devotion without excluding others?
- What safeguards prevent love from turning into hatred?
A Different Perspective
Fanaticism can arise from any strong attachment, not just religious.