Religious Movements: The Bhakti movement

<–2/”>a >The Bhakti Movement in Indian history represents a movement that popularized devotional surrender to a personally conceived supreme God. Its origins are traced to the Brahamanical and Buddhist traditions of ancient India. It was in south India that it grew from a religious tradition into a popular movement based on religious Equality and broad based social participation. The movement led by popular saints reached its climax in the 10 century A.D.

The development of Bhakti movement took place in Tamil Nadu between the seventh andtwelfth centuries. It was reflected in the emotional poems of the Nayanars (devotees of Shiva) and Alvars (devotees of Vishnu).

The Bhakti movement in India was characterized by:-

(i) the rejection of the then existing ritual hierarchy and Brahmanical superiority’

(ii) The use of vernacular or local language in preference to Sanskrit (the language of the elite)

(iii) the emergence of the low-caste non-literate’ persons like Rameja Dasar, Pillai Uranga, Villi Dasar and Kanak Dasar in the south and Kabir-2/”>Kabir, Raidas, and Dadu in the north as great spiritual leaders. There was large scale participation of peasantry, artisans, and other lower classes as well as of ritually inferior but economically powerful groups like merchants and craftsmen in these devotional movements.

The term bhakti is defined as “devotion” or passionate love for the Divine. Moksha or liberation from rebirth was not in the following of rules, regulations or societal ordering, it was through simple devotion to the Divine. Within the movement at large, useful distinctions have been made by contemporary scholars between those poet saints who composed verses extolling God with attributes or form, namely, “saguna” bhaktas, and, those extolling God without and beyond all attributes or form, “nirguna.”

Some of the famous Bhakti Saints are:-

Ramanuja: Born in A.D. 1166 in a small town near Chenni (Madras), Ramanuja was a worshipper of Vishnu and preached Vaishnavism. He had a great following in the South. Ramananda: The greatest preacher of this cult in north India was Ramananda. He discarded all caste distinctions and his disciples belonged to all castes.
Kabir: He was perhaps the most popular reformer of his times. He was a disciple of Ramananda. Kabir was against idol worship or any sort of rituals.
Namdeva: He was a Maratha saint, born into a low family. He too believed in the oneness of God. He travelled far and wide and had discussions with the Sufis. A large number of Muslims also became his followers.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: He was a religious teacher from Bengal and an ardent devotee of Lord
Krishna. HE travelled widely and popularized hymns sung in praise of Krishna.
Mirabai: Mirabai was a Rajput princess and a passionate devotee of Krishna. She preached in Brijbhasha, the common language of the people. Her song and verses are very popular even today.
Guru Nanak : Nanaka was born in 1469 in the village to Talwandi. Presently the place is known as Nankana in the Sheikhupura district of West Punjab. His parents belonged to Khatri caste. His father Kalu was the Patwari of the village. Nanaka was educated in the village school.
Vallabhacharya : Vallabhacharya was a Tailang Brahmin. He preached the worship of Vishnu in the form of Krishna. He was born in 1479 in the Telugu country. He visited Mathura, Vrindavan and many other sacred places and finally settled at Varanasi. The feeling of Bhakti or devotion can be traced back to the Rig Veda. It is the very first hymn of the Rig Veda, which gives expression to a feeling of intimacy with the highest god. In the Katha Upanisad it is said that the divine help, which is the reward to Bhakti, is necessary before one can be saved.

The Bhakti movement was a Hindu devotional movement that emphasized the importance of personal devotion to a particular deity. It began in South India in the 7th century and spread to North India in the 12th century. The Bhakti movement had a significant impact on Indian culture and religion, and it continues to be an important part of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism today.

The Bhakti movement was a reaction to the Brahmanical tradition, which emphasized ritual and social hierarchy. The Bhakti movement rejected these aspects of Hinduism and instead emphasized the importance of personal devotion to a particular deity. The Bhakti movement also emphasized the equality of all people, regardless of caste or social status.

The Bhakti movement had a significant impact on Indian culture and religion. It helped to popularize the use of vernacular languages in religious texts, and it also helped to spread the idea of religious Tolerance. The Bhakti movement also had a significant impact on the development of Indian art and music.

The Bhakti movement continues to be an important part of Hinduism today. There are many different Bhakti traditions, each with its own unique beliefs and practices. However, all Bhakti traditions share a common emphasis on personal devotion to a particular deity.

History of the Bhakti movement

The Bhakti movement began in South India in the 7th century. The earliest known Bhakti saints were Tamil poets who wrote devotional songs in praise of the Hindu god Vishnu. These poets, who are known as Alvars, emphasized the importance of personal devotion to Vishnu and the equality of all people, regardless of caste or social status.

The Bhakti movement spread to North India in the 12th century. The earliest known Bhakti saints in North India were Hindi poets who wrote devotional songs in praise of the Hindu god Krishna. These poets, who are known as Sants, emphasized the importance of personal devotion to Krishna and the importance of living a simple life.

Beliefs and practices of the Bhakti movement

The Bhakti movement emphasized the importance of personal devotion to a particular deity. Bhakti saints believed that through personal devotion, one could achieve salvation. They also believed that all people are equal in the eyes of God, regardless of caste or social status.

Bhakti saints often used vernacular languages in their religious texts and songs. This helped to make Hinduism more accessible to ordinary people. Bhakti saints also emphasized the importance of living a simple life. They believed that one should focus on one’s relationship with God and not on material possessions.

Impact of the Bhakti movement

The Bhakti movement had a significant impact on Indian culture and religion. It helped to popularize the use of vernacular languages in religious texts, and it also helped to spread the idea of religious tolerance. The Bhakti movement also had a significant impact on the development of Indian art and music.

Bhakti traditions

There are many different Bhakti traditions, each with its own unique beliefs and practices. However, all Bhakti traditions share a common emphasis on personal devotion to a particular deity.

Some of the most important Bhakti traditions include:

Vaishnavism: This tradition is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu. Vaishnava saints often focus on the love between Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi.
Shaivism: This tradition is devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. Shaiva saints often focus on the power and majesty of Shiva.
Shaktism: This tradition is devoted to the Hindu goddess Shakti. Shakta saints often focus on the power of Shakti and her ability to grant boons.

Bhakti in art and music

The Bhakti movement had a significant impact on the development of Indian art and music. Bhakti saints often used art and music to express their devotion to God. Some of the most famous examples of Bhakti art include the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and the sculptures of Mamallapuram. Some of the most famous examples of Bhakti music include the songs of Kabir and Mirabai.

Bhakti today

The Bhakti movement was a Hindu devotional movement that began in the 6th century CE. It emphasized the importance of personal devotion to a particular deity, rather than ritual or social status. The Bhakti movement was particularly popular among the lower castes, who found it to be a way to express their religious devotion without having to conform to the strictures of the caste system.

The Bhakti movement had a profound impact on Hindu culture and religion. It helped to spread the message of love and devotion to a wider audience, and it also led to the development of new forms of Hindu art, music, and literature.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Bhakti movement:

What is the Bhakti movement?
The Bhakti movement was a Hindu devotional movement that began in the 6th century CE. It emphasized the importance of personal devotion to a particular deity, rather than ritual or social status.
Who were the main figures in the Bhakti movement?
Some of the most important figures in the Bhakti movement include Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, and Vallabhacharya. These men were all religious teachers who developed their own unique philosophies of Bhakti.
What were the main teachings of the Bhakti movement?
The main teachings of the Bhakti movement were that God is loving and merciful, and that all people are equal in His eyes. The Bhakti movement also emphasized the importance of personal devotion to God, and of living a life of love and compassion.
What was the impact of the Bhakti movement?
The Bhakti movement had a profound impact on Hindu culture and religion. It helped to spread the message of love and devotion to a wider audience, and it also led to the development of new forms of Hindu art, music, and literature.
What are some of the lasting legacies of the Bhakti movement?
The Bhakti movement has had a lasting impact on Hindu culture and religion. It continues to be an important source of inspiration for many Hindus, and its teachings have helped to shape the modern Hindu world.

The Bhakti movement was a religious movement that emphasized:
(A) Devotion to a personal god
(B) The importance of ritual and ceremony
(C) The need for social reform
(D) The importance of Education
The Bhakti movement was most popular in:
(A) North India
(B) South India
(C) Central India
(D) East India
Some of the most famous Bhakti saints include:
(A) Kabir
(B) Mirabai
(C) Tulsidas
(D) All of the above
The Bhakti movement had a significant impact on Indian culture by:
(A) Promoting the use of vernacular languages in religious texts
(B) Encouraging Women to participate in religious life
(C) Promoting the idea of religious tolerance
(D) All of the above
The Bhakti movement is still influential today, as it continues to inspire people to express their devotion to God in a personal and meaningful way.
The Bhakti movement was a major turning point in Indian religious history, as it helped to break down the rigid caste system and promote the idea of religious equality.
The Bhakti movement also had a significant impact on Indian Literature, as it produced a rich body of devotional poetry and songs.
The Bhakti movement continues to be an important force in Society/”>Indian Society today, as it provides a way for people to express their religious beliefs in a personal and meaningful way.
The Bhakti movement is a reminder that religion can be a source of great joy and inspiration, as it can help people to connect with something larger than themselves.
The Bhakti movement is a testament to the power of faith, as it has helped millions of people to find peace and happiness in their lives.