Bhagavata
/ˌbɑːɡəˈvɑːtə/noun
A devotee of Bhagavat, especially a worshipper of Vishnu or Krishna, or something relating to that devotional tradition.
Did you know?Bhagavat, the title behind Bhagavata, means something like “the fortunate” or “the blessed one” and became a major epithet of Vishnu and Krishna.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhag-
“To apportion, share, or distribute; especially to allot a portion of fortune or prosperity.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
bhaga
“A share, portion, good fortune, or a deity associated with prosperity and allotted blessings.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
bhagavat
“Blessed, fortunate, divine, or possessing glory; an honorific title for a god or revered person.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
bhāgavata
“A devotee of Bhagavat, particularly a follower of Vishnu or Krishna; also meaning related to Bhagavat.”
Medieval India
Sanskrit
Bhāgavata
“A Vaishnava devotional designation and a name associated with the Bhāgavata Purāṇa tradition.”
19th Century–Modern English
English
Bhagavata
“A devotee of Vishnu or Krishna, or a term referring to Bhagavata religious literature and tradition.”