Rethinking Bhakti Beyond Devotion: A Philosophical Critique by Daya Krishna

Abstract

This paper revisits the concept of Bhakti, commonly translated as “devotion,” through the critical and dialogical lens of Indian philosopher Daya Krishna. Traditionally associated with emotional surrender and theism, bhakti has often been treated as a religious or poetic expression, sidelined in philosophical discourse. Saints such as Mīrābāī, Tulsīdās, and the Ālvārs enriched bhakti’s emotional legacy, but its association with uncritical piety limited its philosophical potential. Daya Krishna challenges this assumption by arguing that bhakti, far from being irrational or exclusively theistic, can be reconceived as a philosophical category rooted in existential commitment and reflective engagement. Drawing on classical Indian sources like the Bhagavad Gītā, Nārada-bhakti-sūtra, and Vedānta texts, the paper traces how bhakti has been framed as a path to liberation through personal devotion. It then presents Krishna’s critique of these theological assumptions and his proposal for a post-theistic interpretation of bhakti. The paper further engages with thinkers like Kant, Heidegger, Gandhi, and Tagore to situate bhakti within broader traditions of rational and moral concern. Bhakti, in this reimagining, becomes a form of care, fidelity, and ethical devotion—not limited to religion but extended to secular commitments and civic values. Ultimately, the paper argues that bhakti, when freed from rigid theological constraints, becomes a valuable philosophical attitude relevant to contemporary life. Krishna’s intervention not only reclaims bhakti for modern philosophy but also invites renewed reflection on the nature of commitment, meaning, and thoughtful living in a pluralistic world.