Bhakti Movement in India -Saints, Impact – GK Notes

The word ‘Bhakti‘ is derived from the root “bhaj“, which means to worship God. The significance of Bhaktiism is the union of the soul with God. The main objective of Bhaktiism is to attain moksha or salvation through the worship of God. During the 7th to 12th century AD, Bhaktiism grew in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, under devotees of Lord Shiva ‘Nayanars’ and devotees of Lord Vishnu ‘Albars’ leadership. The Bhakti movement spread to North India after the arrival of the Turks (in the twelfth century AD).

Bhakti saints freed Hinduism from the binds of discrimination and conservatism. It emphasized purity of heart and good deeds. ‘Bhaktimarga‘ or ‘Bhakti is the only way’ in search of God – those who preach this philosophy are Bhaktiists, and the form of this preaching is the Bhakti movement (in medieval india)

This article provides the key points (notes) and general knowledge of the “Bhakti Movement” which is important for NCERT students, UPSC aspirants, and others preparing for competitive government job examinations.

Why did the Bhakti Movement start?

The reasons behind the growth of the Bhakti movement are listed below.

• The caste system of Hinduism (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras) – the most important reason.
• Bad rituals in Hinduism such as Animal slaughter, unequal rights of women and girls staying away from prayers, superstitious traditions etc.
• Fear of Islam spreading as Sufism was gaining quick popularity.
• Unequal social value and justice.
• Requirement for a satisfying approach to salvation and worship.

Important Aspects of Bhakti Movement

Analyzing the popularity of Bhaktiism in India, it can be noticed that-

• In India, under the influence of Islam and the Sufi movement, people were attracted to the philosophy of monotheism in Hinduism.
• Bhakti Saints preached in vernacular language which spread the movement among the people. People from the lower castes of Hinduism, especially the artisan class, joined the Bhakti movement for social equality.
• Economic development of the lower class people was also one of the objectives of this movement. A large section of the lower classes of the country became interested in converting to Islam, which put Hinduism in the face of social crisis.
• This Hindu-Muslim combination, where Kabir and Guru Ramananda unite, attracts common people. As a result Bhakti movement gained popularity first in South India and later in North India.

Pioneers of the Bhakti movement

Adi Shankaracharya [788-822 AD]

1. Adi Shankaracharya was born in Kalindi (Kerala).
2. Buddhism has a lot in common things with his teachings.
3. His notable philosophies are ‘Maya’ and ‘Advaita’ (Monism).
4. He promoted the concepts of Nirgunabrahman, or “god without attributes,”
5. He discusses various concepts of Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavata Gita etc.
6. Advaita rejects the existence of the outer world and holds that Brahman is the only reality.
7. He established four mathas at Puri, Badrinath, Dwarka and Srinagari in Karnataka.
8. One of his famous quotes is, ‘Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya Jivo Brahmatra Naparaha’.
9. He emphasized knowledge (Gyan), saying that it is the only path to salvation.

One of his famous quotes: Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya Jivo Brahmatra Naparaha. Which Means: The world of appearance is Maya, while the Absolute Spirit is reality. The phrase “Ekameva Adviteeyam Brahma” means “The absolute is one alone, not two.”

Shankaracharya

Ramanuja Acharya [1017-1137 AD]

1. Tamil philosopher Ramanuja Acharya introduced ‘Vishita Advaita’.
2. “Vishista Advaitavada calls the universe and Brahman two equally real entities like dualism does.
3. Vishista Advaitavada views the universe and Brahman as equal entities, with the universe formed from Brahman, a personal god with omniscient qualities. The world relates to Brahman through qualified monism.
4. His famous work ‘Vedanta Samharka’ discusses various theories of Brahmasutra and Bhagavata Gita.
5. According to Ramanuja, Brahman is believed to be Vishnu or one of his avatars and is a personal god.
6. He also believes that Vishnu completely controls the world and he created it by his love for people.
7. Vishista Advaita differs from dualism in that it holds that humanity is closer to God and has a greater representation compared to pure dualistic worship.
8. The world and Brahman are regarded as equally existent in Vishista Advaita; unlike in dualism, they are not seen as two distinct things.

Others:

• Madhavacharya (1300 AD): Madhavacharya was a supporter of dualism. He divides the universe into two parts – Jivatma and Paramatma. His theory holds that the universe is real, full of true distinctions, and not an illusion. Matter, the soul, and God are distinct entities that cannot be reduced to one another.
• Nimbark (1300-1400 AD): Nimbark was a Telugu revolutionary saint. He was a proponent of dualism. In addition, he established the Sanak Sampradaya. He promoted the Dvaita Advaita and Bheda Abheda (difference/non-difference) schools of thought.
• Raghunandan: He was born in Nabadwip (Nadia) of Bengal. He was the most important of the writers of Dharmasastra.

Bhakti Ideologies

The followers of the Bhakti were mainly divided into two ideological streams. namely-

Saguna: This sect worshiped Lord Vishtu through the worship of Rama and Krishna. They believed in paganism. They were not very liberal about social customs and norms. They could not be completely free from the concept of caste.

Nirguna: They believed in the pursuit of formless God. They believed that God had no specific form and was omniscient. The followers of this sect were very liberal in social conduct. They strongly opposed the system of caste system and the conservatism and orthodoxy of Brahminism.

Both share the objective of realizing God as the ultimate goal of human beings.

Saints of the Saguna ideology

Tulsidas [1532-1623 AD]:

1. Tulsidas was a contemporary of Akbar.
2. ‘Ramcharitamanas’ written by Tulsidas is a notable literary achievement of Hindi literature.
3. Apart from this, he wrote books such as Kabitanjali, Gitanjali, Parvatimangal, Janakimangal etc.

Navji:

1. One of the devotional books written by Navaji is ‘Bhaktamal’.
2. In this book he mentions the names of two hundred devotees.

Ramananda [1400-1500 AD]

1. Ramananda promoted the Bhakti movement by promoting Ramanuja’s ‘Vishishta Dvaitava’.
2. He preached devotional messages to God through Hindi language.
3. “Sri Ramachandra is God – constant devotion to Him will lead man to liberation” – was his main message.
4. Ramananda originally spread the Bhakti movement in North India and formed a group of followers or disciples called ‘Bairagi’.
5. Among his 12 disciples were people of various castes and nationalities – like Kabir was a Jola (Muslim), Ruidas was a cobbler, Sena was a barber, and Pipa was a Rajput.
6. His followers spread his ideology in the different parts of the country.

Vallabhacharya [1479-1531 AD]

1. Vallabhacharya worshiped Lord Kṛiṣhṇa.
2. ‘Complete surrender to Kṛiṣhṇa‘ – was his main message.
3. Vallabhacharya was a Telangana Brahmin (from Benaras).
4. He has conferred the title ‘Jagat Guru Mahaprabhu‘.
5. He is the founder of ‘Pustimarg’.
6. He propagated his philosophy ‘Suddha Advaita’ throughout India through the people.

Surdas [1483-1563 AD]

1. Surdas was a resident of Agra.
2. He was a follower of Vallabhacharya.
3. He was a blind saint.
4. The search for God and Krishna through devotional songs and bhajans was the main mantra of Surdas.
5. Through his ‘Surasagar’ he presented the glory of Lord Krishna to the public.

Sri Chaitanyadeva [1486-1533 AD]

1. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spread Bhaktiism based on Radha Krishna’s Play of Love.
2. According to him, all irrespective of caste and religion are possessed of spiritual power and only by chanting the name can one attain God.
3. He considered non-violence as the ultimate ‘obligation’.
4. Chaitanya’s disciples came to be known as ‘Gaudian Vaighnavas’ through his preaching.
5. Chaitanya Dev became popular among the people through his chanting (hymns) and kirtan (singing of prayers with a musical accompaniment.).
6. According to him, any specific boundaries do not bind religious behavior, but love of Krishna is the true religious behavior.

Mirabai [1498-1546 AD]

1. Mirabai was one of the prominent members of the Bhakti movement (medieval India).
2. Although married into Mebar’s royal family, Mirabai was devoted to god and kirtan.
3. Through kirtan and bhajan, one can attain Krishna i.e. God – this was his main mantra.
4. He composed Padabali of Meera. Although the language of his padavali is Rajasthani, it has many words from Gujarati, Hindi and Braj language added to it.

Saints of the Nirguna ideology

Kabir [Period: 1440-1510 AD, or 1440-1518 AD]

1. Kabir’s origins are disputed, but he grew up in the home of a Muslim.
2. Through Kabir, the door of Hindu-Muslim harmony was opened in India.
3. He was against the caste system and idolatry.
4. He did not believe in the distinction of God, Allah, Ram, Rahim. To him, God is one and the same.
5. According to him, God is not in a temple or mosque. He cannot be found even through sacrifice, because He is in the heart of man.
6. He writes his speech in simple Hindi in two syllables. These are known as ‘Doha’.
7. Kabir’s followers spread the Bhakti movement in different parts of the country through these Dohas.

Guru Nanak [1469-1539 AD]

1. Guru Nanak was born at Talbandi village in Lahore.
2. He backed Hindu-Muslim harmony and believed in monotheism.
3. The word ‘Sikh’ means disciple.
4. His main mantra was to “free himself from the complex rituals of religion and surrender to God“.
5. Nanak’s disciples founded a new religion – Sikhism.
6. There are a total of ten Gurus in Sikhism.
7. Guru Arjuna compiled the Sikh scripture ‘Granth Saheb’.

Dadu Dayal [1554-1603 AD]

1. Dadu Dayal was born in a Muslim family in Ahmedabad. Later he was brought up in a Hindu family.
2. His disciples were known as ‘Sundardasha.
3. His teachings were compiled in a book called Vani.
4. All were disciples of Dadu irrespective of Hindus and Muslims.
5. He traveled all over India to understand the underlying significance of all religions.
6. He tried to convince everyone that communal differences are the main hindrance to the pursuit of religion.
7. He formed a sect called Parambraya.

Maratha Saint

• Dnyaneshwar [1271-1296 AD]: Dnyaneshwar was associated with Krishnamarga sect. He wrote literature in Marathi language. Based on the Bhagavad Gita, he wrote two books. These are ‘Jnaneshwari‘ and ‘Bhavarthadeepak‘.
• Namdev [1270-1350 AD]: Namdev spread the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra. Purity of heart, and praise of ‘Hari’ (god) was the keyword of his religion.
• Eknath [1533-1599 AD]: Eknath was associated with Warkari movement. Based on the epic Ramayana, he wrote a book called ‘Bhavartha Ramayana’.
• Tukaram [1598-1650 AD]: Tukaram belonged to the Darkari and Warkari communities. His spiritual poems are known as ‘Abhool‘.
• Ramdas [1608-1681 AD]: Ramdas was a notable poet from South India. He compiled his sermons in a book called ‘Dashobodha‘.
• Purandar Das [1480-1564 AD]: He is known as the father of Carnatic music.

Impact of the Bhakti movement

1. As a result of Bhakti movement Indians were freed from caste, race, untouchability and discrimination.
2. This movement demanded equal rights for women. As a result, the social status of women increased.
3. This freed the lower castes of the society from the strict discipline and discrimination of the Brahmins.
4. This movement promoted linguistic and cultural unity.
5. It played an important role in the development of Indian literature and culture.
6. The works of Ramanand and Kabir enriched Hindi literature.
7. Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas is an invaluable treasure of Hindi literature.
8. Chaitanya Dev’s life contributed to the richness of Bengali literature.
9. The Punjabi language was enriched by Nanak’s writings.

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