--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Bhakti is the one essential thing. To be…" description: "\"Bhakti is the one essential thing. To be sure, God exists in all beings. Who, then is a devotee? He whose mind dwells on God. But this is not possible ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/578/ramakrishna-2451_bhakti_bhakti-is-the-one-essential-thing-to-be_2822292.png" --- # Bhakti is the one essential thing. To be sure, God exists… ![“Bhakti is the one essential thing. To be sure, God exists in all beings. Who, then is a devotee? He whose mind dwells on God. But this is not possible as long as one has egotism and vanity. The water of God's grace cannot collect on the high mound of egotism. It runs down.” quote by Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/578/ramakrishna-2451_bhakti_bhakti-is-the-one-essential-thing-to-be_2822292.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/578/ramakrishna-2451_bhakti_bhakti-is-the-one-essential-thing-to-be_2822292.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/578/ramakrishna-2451_bhakti_bhakti-is-the-one-essential-thing-to-be_2822292.png) > “Bhakti is the one essential thing. To be sure, God exists in all beings. Who, then is a devotee? He whose mind dwells on God. But this is not possible as long as one has egotism and vanity. The water of God's grace cannot collect on the high mound of egotism. It runs down.” [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Spiritual devotion requires humility; ego blocks divine grace. **In simple terms:** Humility needed for divine connection. Key Takeaway Cultivate selflessness to receive grace. Themes spirituality humility devotion Mood contemplative serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal meditation - community worship - ethical living Key Concepts ego grace self-realization Questions to Reflect On - How can you recognize ego in daily thoughts? - What practices lower vanity? A Different Perspective Ego may persist despite practice, limiting grace. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beings Devotee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beings-devotee-3599381/) [Bhakti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bhakti/) [Bhakti Essential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bhakti-essential-3599380/) [Devotee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devotee/) [Devotee Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devotee-mind-3599379/) [Dwells God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwells-god-3599382/) [Egotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/egotism/) [Essentials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essentials/) [God 's grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-grace-2/) [God exists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-exists/) [God'S Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-grace/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Vanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vanity/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [“What is important is not the specific manner in which God is worshiped but the degree to which the devotee is filled with love.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prem-prakash/what-is-important-is-not-the-specific-manner-in-which-god-is/) [Prem Prakash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prem-prakash/) > [“God dwells in eternity but time dwells in God. He has already lived all our tomorrows as He has lived all our yesterdays. —A.W.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sweet/god-dwells-in-eternity-but-time-dwells-in-god-he-has-already-lived-2/) [Leonard Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sweet/) > [There is in the soul a something in which God dwells, and there is in the soul a something in which the soul dwells…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meister-eckhart/there-is-in-the-soul-a-something-in-which-god-dwells-and-there-is-in/) [Meister Eckhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meister-eckhart/) > [God dwells in eternity but time dwells in God. He has already lived all our tomorrows as He has lived all our yesterdays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-dwells-in-eternity-but-time-dwells-in-god-he-has-already-lived/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Greatly ought we to rejoice that God dwells in our soul; and more greatly ought we to rejoice that our soul dwells in God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-of-norwich/greatly-ought-we-to-rejoice-that-god-dwells-in-our-soul-and-more/) [Julian of Norwich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-of-norwich/) > [God reveals Himself to a devotee who feels drawn to Him by the combined force of these three attractions: the attraction of worldly possessions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/god-reveals-himself-to-a-devotee-who-feels-drawn-to-him-by-the/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [A devotee who can call on God while living a householder's life is a hero indeed. God thinks: 'He is blessed indeed who prays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/a-devotee-who-can-call-on-god-while-living-a-householder-s-life-is-a/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [At a certain stage in the path of devotion, the devotee finds satisfaction in God with form, and at another stage, in God without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/at-a-certain-stage-in-the-path-of-devotion-the-devotee-finds/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [As for me, I consider myself as a speck of the dust of the devotee's feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/as-for-me-i-consider-myself-as-a-speck-of-the-dust-of-the-devotee-s/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [Yogas chitta vritti nirodhah - (Yoga is to check the mind from changing) - which is acceptable to all. That is also the goal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/yogas-chitta-vritti-nirodhah-yoga-is-to-check-the-mind-from-changing/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [Those who are lacking in bhakti (devotion), lacking in faith, are ill qualified to interpret the scriptures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/those-who-are-lacking-in-bhakti-devotion-lacking-in-faith-are-ill/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Jnana, bhakti, yoga and karma - these are the four paths which lead to spiritual freedom. One must follow the path for which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/jnana-bhakti-yoga-and-karma-these-are-the-four-paths-which-lead-to/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“Through all this world strode Vishnu: thrice his foot he planted, and the whole world was gathered in his footsteps. Vishnu, the guardian, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veda/through-all-this-world-strode-vishnu-thrice-his-foot-he-planted-and/) [Veda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veda/) > [The pure mystic wishes to approach his God only in the all-embracing love. The yogi, too, walks toward one single aspect of God. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-bardon/the-pure-mystic-wishes-to-approach-his-god-only-in-the-all-embracing/) [Franz Bardon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-bardon/) > [“Worship (Bhakti) means one has the right to ask for everything and Gnan (Real Knowledge) means one cannot ask for anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/worship-bhakti-means-one-has-the-right-to-ask-for-everything-and-gnan/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) ## More by Ramakrishna > [One must be very particular about telling the truth. Through truth one can realize God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/one-must-be-very-particular-about-telling-the-truth-through-truth-one/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [It is very pleasant to scratch an itching ring-worm, but the sensation one gets afterwards is very painful and intolerable. In the same way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/it-is-very-pleasant-to-scratch-an-itching-ring-worm-but-the-sensation/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [By the mind one is bound; by the mind one is freed. ... He who asserts with strong conviction: "I am not bound, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/by-the-mind-one-is-bound-by-the-mind-one-is-freed-he-who-asserts-with/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [So long as the bee is outside the petals of the lily, and has not tasted the sweetness of its honey, it hovers around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/so-long-as-the-bee-is-outside-the-petals-of-the-lily-and-has-not/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [God had created the world in play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/god-had-created-the-world-in-play/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [Sugar and sand may be mixed together, but the ant rejects the sand and goes off with the sugar grain; so pious men lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/sugar-and-sand-may-be-mixed-together-but-the-ant-rejects-the-sand-and/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [The world is impermanent. One should constantly remember death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/the-world-is-impermanent-one-should-constantly-remember-death/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [Meditate upon the Knowledge and Bliss Eternal , and you will also have bliss. The Bliss indeed is eternal, only it is covered and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/meditate-upon-the-knowledge-and-bliss-eternal-and-you-will-also-have/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [As for me, I consider myself as a speck of the dust of the devotee's feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/as-for-me-i-consider-myself-as-a-speck-of-the-dust-of-the-devotee-s/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [We laugh at the efforts of the musk deer to find the source of the scent which comes from itself and despair at our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/we-laugh-at-the-efforts-of-the-musk-deer-to-find-the-source-of-the/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [Too much study of the scriptures does more harm than good. The important thing is to know the essence of the scriptures. After that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/too-much-study-of-the-scriptures-does-more-harm-than-good-the/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [God has created the world in play, as it were.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/god-has-created-the-world-in-play-as-it-were/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [One cannot completely get rid of the six passions: lust, anger, greed, and the like. Therefore one should direct them to God. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/one-cannot-completely-get-rid-of-the-six-passions-lust-anger-greed/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [It's enough to have faith in one aspect of God. But never get into your head that your faith alone is true and every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/it-s-enough-to-have-faith-in-one-aspect-of-god-but-never-get-into/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [The supreme purpose and goal for human life... is to cultivate love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/the-supreme-purpose-and-goal-for-human-life-is-to-cultivate-love/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) [Explore all 165 Ramakrishna quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) ## More Bhakti quotes > [“Worship (Bhakti) means one has the right to ask for everything and Gnan (Real Knowledge) means one cannot ask for anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/worship-bhakti-means-one-has-the-right-to-ask-for-everything-and-gnan/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [Those who are lacking in bhakti (devotion), lacking in faith, are ill qualified to interpret the scriptures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/those-who-are-lacking-in-bhakti-devotion-lacking-in-faith-are-ill/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Jnana, bhakti, yoga and karma - these are the four paths which lead to spiritual freedom. One must follow the path for which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/jnana-bhakti-yoga-and-karma-these-are-the-four-paths-which-lead-to/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“Through all this world strode Vishnu: thrice his foot he planted, and the whole world was gathered in his footsteps. Vishnu, the guardian, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veda/through-all-this-world-strode-vishnu-thrice-his-foot-he-planted-and/) [Veda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veda/) > [Yogas chitta vritti nirodhah - (Yoga is to check the mind from changing) - which is acceptable to all. That is also the goal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/yogas-chitta-vritti-nirodhah-yoga-is-to-check-the-mind-from-changing/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [The pure mystic wishes to approach his God only in the all-embracing love. The yogi, too, walks toward one single aspect of God. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-bardon/the-pure-mystic-wishes-to-approach-his-god-only-in-the-all-embracing/) [Franz Bardon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-bardon/) > [Every act of charity, every thought of sympathy, every action of help, every good deed, is taking so much of self-importance away from our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-act-of-charity-every-thought-of-sympathy-every-action-of-help/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Who cares for your bhakti and mukti? Who cares what your scriptures say? I will go into a thousand hells cheerfully if I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/who-cares-for-your-bhakti-and-mukti-who-cares-what-your-scriptures/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Why are we not tasting the bliss of Bhakti? Because we are taking shelter of stone boats. We are sinking and drowning in Maya…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/why-are-we-not-tasting-the-bliss-of-bhakti-because-we-are-taking/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [“No one can say with finality that God is only 'this' and nothing else. He is formless, and again He has forms. For the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-ramakrishna/no-one-can-say-with-finality-that-god-is-only-this-and-nothing-else/) [Sri Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-ramakrishna/) > [I have written and spoken my thoughts over many years. Now I'm on new ground and spirit. I want to bring these together. Things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/i-have-written-and-spoken-my-thoughts-over-many-years-now-i-m-on-new/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [God is love, love is bhakti and bhakti our connection to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-yesudas/god-is-love-love-is-bhakti-and-bhakti-our-connection-to-god/) [K. J. Yesudas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-yesudas/) > [Arise! Arise! A tidal wave is coming! Onward! Men and women, down to the Chandala (Pariah) - all are pure in his eyes. Onward!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/arise-arise-a-tidal-wave-is-coming-onward-men-and-women-down-to-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The one great advantage of Bhakti is that it is the easiest and most natural way to reach the great divine end in view;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-one-great-advantage-of-bhakti-is-that-it-is-the-easiest-and-most/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Bhakti cannot be attained, it is a gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/bhakti-cannot-be-attained-it-is-a-gift/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) [Browse all 55 Bhakti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bhakti/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Bhakti is the one essential thing. To be sure, God exists in all beings. Who, then is a devotee? 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