Answer

In Jain Dharma, bhakti means deep devotion, reverence, and respectful admiration toward spiritually pure beings such as:

• Arihantas
• Siddhas
• Acharyas
• Upadhyayas
• Sadhus and Sadhvis

Bhakti is not asking God to change our destiny. In Jainism, bhakti means remembering and honoring the virtues of liberated and enlightened souls, and becoming inspired to develop those same qualities within ourselves.

Explanation

Jain bhakti is centered on guna-puja — worship of virtues.

When Jains bow to Tirthankars or recite prayers like the Namokar Mantra, they are not praying for favors. They are expressing reverence for qualities such as:

• Perfect knowledge
• Perfect faith
• Perfect conduct
• Non-violence
• Detachment
• Compassion
• Freedom from anger, ego, deceit, and greed

Bhakti helps calm the mind, reduce ego, and strengthen right faith.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, every soul has the potential to become pure and liberated. The Tirthankars show the path, but each soul must walk it through self-effort, right conduct, and purification of karma.

So Jain bhakti is not dependency; it is inspiration.

It means:

• “I bow to the pure souls.”
• “I admire their qualities.”
• “I wish to purify myself and follow their path.”

Takeaway

Bhakti in Jainism is devotion to spiritual purity. It helps us remember the highest ideals of the soul and inspires us to move toward liberation.