The Bhakti Movement and Sufism

<–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.

‘Sufism’ is a term used to refer to mystical religious ideas in Islam. It had evolved into a well developed movement by the 11 century. Sufis, Stress on the importance of traversing the path of the Sufi pir enabling one to establish a direct communion with the divine. Sufism or mysticism emerged in the 8 century and among the early known Sufis were Rabia al-Adawiya, Al-Junaid and Bayazid Bastami.

Sufism is deeply rooted with Islam and its development began in the late 7th and 8th centuries. The Sufis love their creator, cherish the desire of His closeness and follow His path. According to Islam, there are two types of service. Throughout the night, they remain in prayer, meditation and contemplation of Allah and throughout the day, they
serve His creatures especially human beings.

The following fundamental Principles of Sufism are found in Islam:-
i. Kashf is a source of knowledge.
ii. God is unique, eternal and all-pervading.
iii. The world is transitory.
iv. God is near to His creatures.

The khanqah (the hospice) was the center of activities of the various sufis orders.The khanqah was led by shaikh, pir or murshid (teacher) who lived with his murids (disciples). In time the Khanqahs emerged as important centres of Learning and preaching. By the twelfth century the sufis were organized in silsilahs (orders). The word silsila meant chain and it represented signifying an unbreakable chain between the pir and the murid. With the death of the pir his tomb or shrine the dargah became a centre for his disciples and followers.

The major silisilahs in India were the Chisti, Qadri, Naqshbandi and Suharwardy Abul Fazl in Ain-i-Akbari gave a list of all that existed during his time, with some details leading Sufis

The Chishti order was founded in a village called Khwaja Chishti (near Herat). In India, the Chishti Silsilah was founded by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti (born c. 1142) who came to India around 1192. He made Ajmer the main centre for his teaching. He believed that serving mankind was the best form of devotion and therefore he worked amongst the downtrodden.

Suharwardi Silsila entered India at the same time as the Chishtis and its activities were confined to the Punjab and Multan.It was established in India by Bahauddin Zakanya. The Most well-known saints were Shaikh shihabuddin Suharwadi and Hamidud-din Nagori.

Naqshbandi Silsilah was established in India by Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi. From the beginning the mystics of this Order stressed on the observance of the shariat and denounced all innovations or biddat. Sheikh Baqi Billah the successor to Khawaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi settled near Delhi, and his successor Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi attempted to purge Islam from all liberal and what he believed were ‘UN-Islamic’ practices. He opposed the listening of sama (religious music) and the practice of pilgrimage to the tombs of saints.,

The Bhakti Movement and Sufism are two religious movements that developed in India and the Middle East, respectively, around the same time. Both movements emphasized the importance of personal devotion to God, and both rejected the authority of religious institutions.

The Bhakti Movement was a Hindu movement that began in the 6th century CE. The movement’s central message was that God is accessible to all people, regardless of caste or social status. Bhakti saints emphasized the importance of love and devotion to God, and they often used music and dance to express their religious feelings.

Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that developed in the 8th century CE. Sufis believe that God can be experienced directly through love and devotion. They often use poetry, music, and dance to express their religious feelings.

Both the Bhakti Movement and Sufism had a significant impact on the development of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism and Islam. These movements helped to spread the message of religious Tolerance and equality, and they continue to inspire people around the world today.

Table of Contents

History of the Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti Movement began in India in the 6th century CE. The movement’s central message was that God is accessible to all people, regardless of caste or social status. Bhakti saints emphasized the importance of love and devotion to God, and they often used music and dance to express their religious feelings.

The Bhakti Movement was a major force in the development of Hinduism. The movement helped to spread the message of religious tolerance and equality, and it also helped to popularize the use of vernacular languages in religious texts.

History of Sufism

Sufism has had a significant impact on the development of Islam. The movement has helped to spread the message of religious tolerance and equality, and it has also helped to popularize the use of vernacular languages in religious texts.

Beliefs of the Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti Movement emphasized the importance of personal devotion to God. Bhakti saints believed that God is accessible to all people, regardless of caste or social status. They also believed that love and devotion are the most important ways to connect with God.

Beliefs of Sufism

Sufis believe that God can be experienced directly through love and devotion. They often use poetry, music, and dance to express their religious feelings. Sufis also believe in the importance of living a simple and ethical life.

Practices of the Bhakti Movement

Bhakti saints often used music and dance to express their religious feelings. They also wrote poetry and hymns about their love for God. Bhakti saints often lived simple lives, and they devoted themselves to helping others.

Practices of Sufism

Sufis often use poetry, music, and dance to express their religious feelings. They also engage in practices such as meditation and prayer. Sufis often live simple lives, and they devote themselves to helping others.

Impact of the Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti Movement had a significant impact on the development of Hinduism. The movement helped to spread the message of religious tolerance and equality, and it also helped to popularize the use of vernacular languages in religious texts.

The Bhakti Movement also had a significant impact on the development of Indian culture. The movement’s emphasis on love and devotion helped to shape the Indian understanding of God and the nature of religious experience.

Impact of Sufism

Sufism has also had a significant impact on Islamic culture. The movement’s emphasis on love and devotion helped to shape the Islamic understanding of God and the nature of religious experience.

Comparison of the Bhakti Movement and Sufism

However, there are also some important differences between the two movements. The Bhakti Movement was primarily a Hindu movement, while Sufism is a branch of Islam. The Bhakti Movement also emphasized the use of vernacular languages in religious texts, while Sufism has traditionally used Arabic.

Despite these differences, the Bhakti Movement and Sufism have both had a significant impact on the development of their respective religions. These movements have helped to spread the message of religious tolerance and equality, and they continue to inspire people around the world 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 caste. The Bhakti movement was particularly popular among Women and lower castes, who were often excluded from traditional Hindu practices.

Sufism is a mystical tradition within Islam that emphasizes the importance of personal experience of God. Sufis believe that God can be experienced through love, devotion, and contemplation. Sufism has had a significant influence on both Islamic and Western culture.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the Bhakti movement and Sufism:

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 caste. The Bhakti movement was particularly popular among women and lower castes, who were often excluded from traditional Hindu practices.
What are the main beliefs of the Bhakti movement?
The main beliefs of the Bhakti movement are that God is personal and loving, that humans can experience God through love and devotion, and that all people are equal in the eyes of God.
Who were some of the key figures in the Bhakti movement?
Some of the key figures in the Bhakti movement include Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, and Vallabhacharya. These men were all philosophers and theologians who developed different schools of thought within the Bhakti movement.
What was the impact of the Bhakti movement?
The Bhakti movement had a significant impact on Hindu Society. It helped to spread the message of equality and devotion to God, and it also helped to empower women and lower castes. The Bhakti movement also had a significant impact on Indian Literature and art.
What is Sufism?
Sufism is a mystical tradition within Islam that emphasizes the importance of personal experience of God. Sufis believe that God can be experienced through love, devotion, and contemplation. Sufism has had a significant influence on both Islamic and Western culture.
What are the main beliefs of Sufism?
The main beliefs of Sufism are that God is one and transcendent, that humans are created in the image of God, and that the goal of life is to achieve union with God.
Who were some of the key figures in Sufism?
Some of the key figures in Sufism include Rumi, Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Arabi. These men were all philosophers, theologians, and poets who developed different schools of thought within Sufism.
What was the impact of Sufism?
Sufism had a significant impact on Islamic society. It helped to spread the message of love and compassion, and it also helped to promote tolerance and understanding between different religions. Sufism also had a significant impact on Islamic art, music, and literature.
What are the similarities between the Bhakti movement and Sufism?
The Bhakti movement and Sufism are both mystical traditions that emphasize the importance of personal experience of God. They also both have a strong focus on love and devotion.
What are the differences between the Bhakti movement and Sufism?
The Bhakti movement is a Hindu tradition, while Sufism is a Muslim tradition. The Bhakti movement emphasizes the importance of devotion to a particular deity, while Sufism emphasizes the importance of union with God. The Bhakti movement is also more egalitarian than Sufism, which has traditionally been dominated by men.

The Bhakti movement and Sufism were two religious movements that arose in India and the Middle East, respectively, in the 12th and 13th centuries. Both movements emphasized the importance of personal devotion to God, and both rejected the rigid social and religious hierarchies of their time.

The Bhakti movement was a Hindu devotional movement that emphasized the importance of personal devotion to God. The movement arose in response to the Brahmanical orthodoxy of the time, which emphasized ritual and social hierarchy. The Bhakti movement rejected these ideas, and instead emphasized the importance of love and devotion to God.

The Bhakti movement was a major force in Hindu religious life, and it continues to be influential today. The movement produced a rich literature of devotional poetry and songs, and it also inspired a number of social reforms.

Sufism is a mystical tradition within Islam that emphasizes the importance of personal experience of God. The movement arose in the 8th century, and it has had a major influence on Islamic thought and practice.

Sufism is based on the belief that God is the only reality, and that the goal of life is to achieve union with God. Sufis believe that this can be achieved through a combination of spiritual exercises, such as meditation and prayer, and good deeds.

Sufism has produced a rich literature of poetry, philosophy, and music. The movement has also inspired a number of social and political reforms.

Here are some MCQs about the Bhakti movement and Sufism:

The Bhakti movement was a Hindu devotional movement that emphasized the importance of:
(A) Ritual and social hierarchy
(B) Personal devotion to God
(C) The study of the Vedas
(D) The performance of sacrifices
Sufism is a mystical tradition within Islam that emphasizes the importance of:
(A) Personal experience of God
(B) The study of the Quran
(C) The performance of religious duties
(D) The observance of Islamic law
The Bhakti movement arose in response to:
(A) The Brahmanical orthodoxy of the time
(B) The spread of Islam in India
(C) The decline of the Mughal Empire
(D) The British colonization of India
Sufism arose in the:
(A) 8th century
(B) 12th century
(C) 16th century
(D) 20th century
The Bhakti movement produced a rich literature of:
(A) Devotional poetry and songs
(B) Religious treatises
(C) Historical accounts
(D) Legal texts
Sufism has produced a rich literature of:
(A) Poetry, philosophy, and music
(B) Religious treatises
(C) Historical accounts
(D) Legal texts
Sufis believe that the goal of life is to achieve:
(A) Union with God
(B) Salvation
(C) Enlightenment
(D) Nirvana
Sufis believe that this can be achieved through a combination of:
(A) Spiritual exercises and good deeds
(B) Ritual and social hierarchy
(C) The study of the Quran and the Sunnah
(D) The performance of religious duties
Sufism has inspired a number of social and political reforms, such as:
(A) The abolition of slavery
(B) The establishment of schools and hospitals
(C) The promotion of interfaith dialogue
(D) The fight for women’s rights
The Bhakti movement and Sufism are both examples of:
(A) Religious movements that emphasize personal experience of God
(B) Social movements that promote equality and Justice
(C) Political movements that seek to overthrow oppressive regimes
(D) Economic movements that aim to improve the lives of the poor