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BHAKTI IN JAIN TRADITION : 61
Really speaking the period from the 9th century to the 12th century was very important from the point of view of various changes that were taking place in the course of conduct of a layman. It was a time when rituals were getting into prominence in place of the basic principles of religion. People were looking for various forms and manners of performing divine services, as a result the code of ceremony and performances of rites were gaining popularity. As the quotation describes, bhakti in traditional Jainism means divine service (mainly in the form of rituals) which is totally different from what Śrīmad Rājacandra meant by surrender. The present times are very hard and very unfavorable for the practice of spirituality and sadguru or satpuruşa are very rare to be found. Śrīmad, therefore said at many places in his writings that if no such sadguru is available, one should worship such things and place and study such scriptures as would increase the sentiments (bhāva) of passionlessness (vairāgya), and subsidence of Kaşāyas (attachment, aversion etc.).
"The word Bhakti comes from the root bhaj which means: divide, distribute, enjoy and also participate and thence adore, honor, venerate. Bhakti implies the existence of a being worthy of adoration and veneration and includes a certain element of participation in the divinity sanctity of this being. Jain bhakti has its own special features in that its praise, devotion and wonder - whatever their outward expressions are directed to the spiritual achievement of beings eminently worthy of veneration, that is, of the victorious one, the Tīrthankaras and other' paramesthins, with the ultimate aim of imitating them following them and thus becoming fully purified or liberated.
The aspect of sharing found here does not include direct, ontological
