Bhakti is important

One and only *Paramatman* ( Sri Krishna''s form as Super-soul)  exists in all living beings. If the ocean stands for Bhagavavan Krishna,  we all are small   ponds.  Great Rishis  proclaim that it is only with the blessings of Bhagavan  which keeps us in a constant whirl of action "Isvaranugrahadeva pumsam Advaitavasana. "

Bhagavan  awards us the fruits of our actions. If we become more and more devoted to Him, as recipients of his grace, we will get closer and closer to Him. He will Himself reveal to us who He is and there will be no need for us to inquire about Him or into Him. In response to our devotion He will deign to reveal his true nature to us. He declares so in the Gita: "Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yascasmi. . . . " (By devotion he comes to know who in truth I am. . . ).

*Sagunopasana*  (worship of Bhagavan  with attributes) is the decisive  step towards God-realization . For it our religion has evolved the concept of "Istadevata" ("the deity of one's choice", "the Deity one likes").

What is special about Sanatana dharma or Hinduism as it has come to be called? Alone among all religions it reveals the one and only Godhead Sri Krishna  in many different divine forms, with manifold aspects. The devotee worships the Lord in a form suited to his mental make-up and is thus helped to come closer to the Lord with his love and devotion. These different forms are not the creation of anyone's imagination. The *Paramatman*  has revealed Himself in these forms to great Rishis  and they have had close contact, so to speak, with the Deities so revealed. They have also shown us how we too may come face to face with these divinities, given us the *mantras*  to accomplish this and also prescribed the manner in which the divine forms, whose vision they have had, are to be adored.

Bhakti or devotion is common to all religions whatever the manner of worship they teach. It is not exclusive to our faith in which different Deities are reverenced.