[1] It swept over east and north India from the 15th century onwards, reaching its zenith between the 15th and 17th century CE. It describes the love of Lord Radha and Krishna. The movement has traditionally been considered an influential social reformation in Hinduism in that it provided an individual-focused alternative path to spirituality regardless of one's birth or gender. The Supreme Bramhan is most merciful. [10][52][53] This view is contested by some scholars,[53] with Rekha Pande stating that singing ecstatic bhakti hymns in local language was a tradition in south India before Muhammad was born. They advocated that the salvation could be attained only by deep devotion and faith in God. [20], Ancient Indian texts, dated to be from the 1st millennium BCE, such as the Shvetashvatara Upanishad, the Katha Upanishad, and the Bhagavad Gita mention Bhakti.[21]. In South India passionate, often erotic, poems to Shiva and Vishnu (particularly to Krishna) were composed in Tamil and other Dravidian languages, such as Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam. The impact of the Bhakti movement in India was similar to that of the Protestant Reformation of Christianity in Europe. 6. During the medieval period (12th to mid-18th century), different local traditions explored the various possible relationships between the worshipper and the deity. image source: file2.answcdn.com/answ-cld/image/upload/w_760,c_fill,g_faces:center,q_60/v1400865382/aq7aucv9yoo1k2slaob0.jpg. Karma marga Attaining salvation through food deeds like doing services to the needy people; Her research and teaching interests revolve around two Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They condemned several social evils. image source: bhaktivedantamanor.co.uk/home/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Pancha-Tattwa.jpg. It is a reform movement within the Islamic religion which started in Persia. After searching so many lands, The high philosophy of the Vedas and Upanishads were very complicated for the common people. 3. Condemnation of rituals, ceremonies and blind faith. Its real impact was felt when prominent saints like Kabir, Nanak and Shri Chaitanya spread the ideas of fraternity, equality and love inherent in both the religions. It also describes maintaining unity in society, which begins with worshipping God. Bhakti to God was accepted as salvation MAIN FEATURES OF BHAKTI 1. ADVERTISEMENTS: 4. It is to be noted that Southern Vaishnavite saints are called Alwars and the Saivite saints are called Nayanars. 1. It encouraged the value of social service to the poor and the needy. Fortunately with the foreign invaders, some Sufi Muslim saints had also come to India and settled here. So subsequent Bhakti literatures were compiled in these languages and many Musilm writers also translated Sanskrit works into regional languages. Sufism is an old religious sect of Islam. The Bhakti movement started in the South in response to the conquest of northern India by Muslim rulers. Condemnation of rituals, ceremonies and blind faith. Prof Srivastav remarks. Main Features of the Bhakti Movement: 1. The Bhakti saints tried to generate an environment of good will between the Hindus and the Muslims. Usually it is accepted that the most characteristic feature of the religious development during the medieval period was the movement which emphasized single-minded intense devotion to God. Repetition of the True Name. Bhakti, intense love and devotion, the only way to salvation. A true guru was the main source to attain God. Muslims from adjacent areas began to conquer northern India during the medieval period of Hinduism, during the 7th century. HistoryDiscussion.net All rights reserved. Peasants and Monks in British India, University of California Press, 'The Brajabuli idiom developed in Orissa and Bengal also. [120][121][122] Guru Arjan, in his Sukhmani Sahib, recommended the true religion is one of loving devotion to God. He alone could show the path of light to reach the proper destination. For these scholars, the inextricable connection between monotheism and reform has both theological and social significance in terms of the development of Indian culture. These include Ramanuja, Madhva, Vallabha and Nimbarka. [11] It evoked shared religiosity, direct emotional and intellection of the divine, and the pursuit of spiritual ideas without the overhead of institutional superstructures. Bhakti, in contrast, is spiritual, a love and devotion to religious concepts or principles, that engages both emotion and intellection. Repetition of the True Name. They stressed human qualities and moral attitudes. Repetition of the True Name. The Muslim rulers in general wanted to enforce the Islamic laws on the Hindus. The Bhakti Yoga of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is more descriptive on this point. Bhakti, intense love and devotion, the sole thanks to salvation. During the time of Muslim rule in India the Hindu society was full of many social anomalies like rigidity of caste system, irrelevant rituals and religious practices, blind faiths and social dogmas. Lance Nelson (2007), An Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies (Editors: Orlando O. Espn, James B. Nickoloff), Liturgical Press. This marked the beginning of an era of Muslim hegemony in India that lasted far into the 1700s. Bhakti to God was accepted as salvation. These people were known as the Nayanars and the Alvars. Before uploading and sharing your knowledge on this site, please read the following pages: 1. Kabir Everyone knows about Sant Kabir Das and the heartwarming Dohas he has given to the world. Self-Surrender. As a movement, it emphasized on the mutual intense emotional attachment and love of a devotee toward a personal god and of the god for the devotee. It came to India towards the beginning of the 13th century A.D. and with the rise of the Muslim power Sufism became more popular. The Sikh scripture includes many verses on devotional worship. He who has highest Bhakti (love, devotion)[23] of Deva (God), They were the propounders of Bhakti movement who made Bhakti their principal theme and gave a call to the people to worship in the simplest possible way of devotion and love. Self-surrender. bhakti, (Sanskrit: devotion) in Hinduism, a movement emphasizing the mutual intense emotional attachment and love of a devotee toward a personal god and of the god for the devotee. The idea of an open mind to decide for oneself in matters of religion may be discovered in the lines, you do as thou choosest (XVIII 63). A person was free to choose his ways and means to worship a god. Uploader Agreement. Answer: The Bhakti movement was primarily dominated by the significant contributions of Guru Nanak, Kabir and Ramana Answer: The Saiva Nayanars and Vaishnava Alvars founded the Bhakti movement. These Islamic ideas threw a powerful challenge to the existing corrupt aspect of Hinduism and the accompanying social evils. Content Filtration 6. Believed in Non-violence (Ahimsa) It is not the way of worship but the love of a selfless devotee of pure heart that matters for Whoever offers to me with devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water I accept (IX, 26). There were two broad Sufi orders: Bashara - Those who obeyed Islamic laws. Learn about a brief history of Adi Shankaracharya, one of the most revered teachers in India's spiritual history. The founder of this movement was a Keralite Brahmin named Shankaracharya who started it in the 9th century A.D. Gradually it spread to various parts of the country. The chief exponents of the movement were Shankara, Ramanuja, Kabir, Nanak, Shri Chaitanya, Mirabai, Ramananda, Namdev, Nimbarka, Madhava, Eknath, Surdas, Tulsidas, Tukaram, Vallabhacharya and Chandidas. Originating in Tamilakam during 6th century CE, it gained prominence through the poems and teachings of the Vaishnava Alvars and Shaiva Nayanars before spreading northwards. Guru Granth Saheb the holiest book of the Sikhs which was complied later on included the messages of saints belonging to different sects. [117] Sikhism, for instance, disagreed with some of the views of Bhakti saints Kabir and Ravidas. The concept of Bhakti is an age-old one. [19] Karen Pechelis states that the word Bhakti should not be understood as uncritical emotion, but as committed engagement. The status of women received more importance. The poet was a disciple of Guru Ramananda Ji, who guided Kabir on the path of devotion. [103], Some scholars call Sikhism a Bhakti sect of Indian traditions. Sufism found adherents among both Muslims and Hindus. Pechilis in her book on Bhakti movement, for example, states:[135]. They condemned ritualism, false practices, blind faiths and dogmas. According to Sufi saints, God is the beloved of the lover ('Mashook") i.e. Shankaracharya was a great scholar who contributed his life to this movement. [44][99] Many of these regional practices have survived into the modern era. Causes for the Origin of Bhakti Movement. Nirguna Bhakti adherents rejected idol worship. image source: static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/11/20/1321804097807/Sufi-Muslim-dervishes-dur-004.jpg. They believe that God lives in ones heart and not in any specific temple or mosque. He suggested uniting the Hindus and Muslims by uniting their lords. The Bhakti movement arose in part due to the Muslim invasion and governance. Repeating the actual name. Repetition of the True Name. [84], The Bhakti movement of Hinduism saw two ways of imaging the nature of the divine (Brahman) Nirguna and Saguna. The teachings acted as a healing balm to the suppressed classes. [85], The Bhakti movement led to devotional transformation of medieval Hindu society, wherein Vedic rituals or alternatively ascetic monk-like lifestyle for moksha gave way to individualistic loving relationship with a personally defined god. [75][76] The language was easily understood by the local populace, in line with the Bhakti movement's call for inclusion, but it also retained its literary style. The poem mentions their long association, bonding, anger, and disappointment. The spiritual yearning made Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai, Surdas, Tulsi Das, Chaitanya and others, the great exponents of Bhakti movement. [10] In turn it influenced devotional practices in Islam such as Sufism,[56] and other religions in India from the 15th century onwards, such as Sikhism, Christianity,[57] and Jainism. Complete surrender alone leads to salvation. One who practices bhakti is called a bhakta. I found the nine treasures within my body, Devotional practices included reciting the name of the god or goddess, singing hymns in praise of the deity, wearing or carrying identifying emblems, and undertaking pilgrimages to sacred places associated with the deity. Sikhism. The Bhakti reformers believed in freedom from the cycle of life and death and preached that salvation could be attained only by deep devotion and faith in God. 2. Main features of the bhakti movement In terms of acquiring an answer to the question of what were the main features of bhakti , some significant factors need to be noted. The poets' itinerant lifestyle helped create temple and pilgrimage sites and spread spiritual ideas built around Shiva. Five writers of repute Achyuta, Balaram, Jagannath, Yasobanta and Ananta heralded the age of Panchasakha literature, known for its socio-religious exposition of Bhakti. The bhakti reformers preached the principles of monotheism (oneness of God) 2. It prescribes Gnana (knowledge), Karma (action) and Bhakti (devotion) as the three essential features to shatter the bondage of material world and to serve the Almighty God. Let us get some information and understand the trading history of India with Europe during the medieval period. 5. Giving up their mutual suspicion, hatred and rivalry a new bond of unity and fraternity began to emerge. [86] Saguna Brahman, in contrast, was envisioned and developed as with form, attributes and quality. 4. HistoryDiscussion.net All rights reserved. 6. This aspect of tenacity and sheer devotion turned many minds to breaking peoples superstitious beliefs about the lower-caste category. The spirit of tolerance, harmony and mutual respect which was inaugurated by the Bhakti saints had another everlasting impact the emergence of a new cult of worship by both Hindus and Muslims. He writes, that in virtually every Bhakti movement poet, "the Upanishadic teachings form an all-pervasive substratum, if not a basis. They claimed that God is omnipresent and lives within mans heart. [89] Yet given the "mountains of Nirguni bhakti literature", adds Lorenzen, bhakti for Nirguna Brahman has been a part of the reality of the Hindu tradition along with the bhakti for Saguna Brahman. Right from the time of the compilation of the Vedas, the word Bhakti has come into vogue. The movement tried to instila sense of piety in the peoples daily lives. According to the Bhakti saints, individuals can realise God via devotion and personal effort. Even Lord Buddha came to be regarded as the ninth incarnation of Lord Krishna in the Hindu pantheon. The society also suffered from polytheism, segregation, severe economic disparity due to casteism, untouchability etc. 2. [23][26] Scholars[27][28] have debated whether this phrase is authentic or later insertion into the Upanishad, and whether the terms "Bhakti" and "God" meant the same in this ancient text as they do in the medieval and modern era Bhakti traditions found in India. [48][49], Like the Alvars, the Saiva Nayanar poets were influential. In this article, we will learn about the significance of temples and monastic institutions. He used to enchant songs and poems for Lord Krishna, resulting in an uprising in Vaishnavism. Devotees also offered daily sacrificesfor some, animal sacrifices; for others, vegetarian sacrifices of fruit and flowersin the home or temple. [101] Other saints such as Dadu Dayal championed the similar social movement, a community that believed in Ahimsa (non-violence) towards all living beings, social equality, and vegetarian kitchen, as well as mutual social service concepts. 3. The Bhakti movement also led to the prominence of the concept of female devotion, of poet-saints such as Andal coming to occupy the popular imagination of the common people along with her male counterparts. The Bhakti saints derive Bhakti, devotion and love to be the only way to attain salvation. He approached the Indian society to bring unity in God and not differentiate any of them. The Hindus realised that it was difficult to drive away the Muslim rulers and Muslims from India. sent through you? Now there will be no further going and coming, The concept of Bhakti was not a new one in the Indian tradition. Rejection of idol worship by many saints. Salient features of Bhakti Movement The Bhakti movement was based on the principles of monotheism and it generally criticized idol worship. Under the impact of the Muslim rule, the Hindus had suffered a lot materially, morally and spiritually. Strictly objectifying blind faith, ceremonies, and superstitious rituals. [81][80], The earliest writers from the 7th to 10th century CE known to have influenced the poet-saints driven movements include, Sambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundarar, Nammalvar, Adi Shankara, Manikkavacakar and Nathamuni. Both consciously and unconsciously the ideals of Islam produced a benevolent effect upon the minds of a section of Hindus and fostered the growth of a liberal attitude. W. Owen Cole and Piara Singh Sambhi (1997), A Mandair (2011), "Time and religion-making in modern Sikhism", in, "CBSE Class 12 History #CrashCourse: Bhakti movement's emergence and influence", "Ankiya-bhaona of Sankaradeva and Madhavadeva performed in the Sattra Institutions of Assam: A study", The History and Culture of the Indian People, "Andal-Nacciyar Tirumoli Poetry Makes Worlds", "Religious Movements in Hindu Social Contexts: A Study of Paradigms for Contextual "Church" Development", "The Sacred Geography of the Tamil Shaivite Hymns", "Shrines, Shamanism, and Love Poetry: Elements in the Emergence of Popular Tamil Bhakti", "Mrb and Her Contributions to the Bhakti Movement", "Author and Authority in the Bhakti Poetry of North India", "The Vithoba Faith of Maharashtra: The Vithoba Temple of Pandharpur and Its Mythological Structure", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bhakti_movement&oldid=1151004976, All Wikipedia articles written in Indian English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 21 April 2023, at 09:44. They tried to remove the evils of Hindu society and gave it new energy and life.
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