bhakti- etc.

[Naseem Hines]

I think the root of the noun bhakta is 'bhaj' to divide and hence share or
participate, partake. Bhakta is the one who shares or partakes or consumes
the same emotion or food or nourishment which is shared by others.

On Sat, 27 Mar 1999, Yaroslav V. Vassilkov wrote:

> Dear colleagues,
> I would be most grateful for references to different etymologies of the words:
> *bhagavat*, *bhakti*, *bhakta* (even to those that you think are wrong) and to
> different ideas on the history of their semantics.
>      Thanks in advance,
>                                 Yaroslav Vassilkov
>