Understanding The Bhakti Movement In India

Bhakti Movement: An Overview

The Bhakti movement is considered a significant religious movement that took place in the faith of Hinduism during the medieval period (around the time 7th century till 17th century). The term ‘bhakti’ refers to the devotion to God and the ‘bhakti movement’ stresses the mystical union between people and God. This particular movement was the result of changing social and political conditions. Both the Sufi and Bhakti movement were similar concepts that were being followed in medieval times. It’s just that the Sufi movement was for Islam and the bhakti movement was for Hinduism.

What is meant by the Bhakti Movement?

The Sufi and Bhakti movement that stresses establishing the mystical union between people and God took place in South India between the times of the 7th century to 17th century C.E. The bhakti movement is said to be based on religious equality and broad social participation. During those times, poets and saints of the Bhakti movement, known as the Nayanars and the Alvars, were essential factors in spreading the concept of the same. In Hinduism, there are several gods, including Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, who the followers in the bhakti movement worshiped. Therefore, on the one hand, Nayanars devoted themselves to Lord Shiva and on the other hand, the Alvars devoted themselves to Lord Vishnu.

What are the Features of the Bhakti Movement?

Following mentioned are the main features of the bhakti movement:

• The concept of the bhakti movement took place during the 7th century until the 17th century in South India and spread across different parts of India.
• This particular movement stresses the concept of establishing a mystical connection between individuals and God.
• According to the Bhakti movement, Bhakti, intense love, and devotion are the only three ways through which one can achieve salvation.
• The Sufi and Bhakti movements believed in religious equality and preached open-mindedness about deciding the religion and religious matters. Also, bhakts were against fasts, rituals, pilgrimages, and the caste system.
• The bhakts participating in the bhakti movement used to preach through local or regional languages and also traveled across different places to spread the religious message.
• According to the bhakti movement, there is a need for a guru for religious guidance.
• When talking about the main features of the bhakti movement, Saguna and Nirguna are considered the two different ideological streams of this particular movement.
• Saguna is the ideological stream representing those poet-saints by whom verses Praising a god with attributes or form are composed.
• Nirguna is the ideological stream representing those poet-saints by whom God is praised without and beyond all attributes and forms.

Saints and Poets of Bhakti Movement

Following mentioned are the list of poets and saints of the Bhakti movement:

Shankaracharya (788 – 820 AD)

Consolidating the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, Shankracharya is credited with unifying the religious thoughts in individuals practicing Hinduism. The unity of Atman and Nirguna Brahman is discussed in his works in Sanskrit. In addition to this, his ideas also elaborated on the ideas found in Upanishads. In his works, the difference between Hinduism and Buddhism is also explained. Hinduism has been stated as the religion asserting that ‘Atman (Soul, Self) exists’ whereas Buddhism is stated as religion asserting that there is ‘no Soul, no Self.

Ramanuja (1017 – 1137 A.D.)

Deeply influenced by the 12 alwars or Vaishnative poet-saints, Ramanuja was an exponent of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition. Through Bhakti, he surrendered himself totally to God and gave a philosophical basis to Vaishnavism’s teachings. Ramanuja believed Brahma as Supreme and that God is attainable by soul. He wrote 9 Sanskrit texts.

Basavanna:

Basavanna was an Indian poet, philosopher, poet, statesman, and Lingayat saint devoted to the Shiva-focused bhakti movement during the 12th century. He spread social awareness through Vachnaas, his poetry. He didn’t believe in social discrimination, rituals, or superstitions and introduced a necklace with an image of the Shiva Linga to each individual.

Kabir (1440 – 1510 A.D.)

Kabir Das was an Indian mystic poet and saint whose writings influenced the bhakti movement during the 15th century. Therefore, he is known for being critical of both Hinduism and Islam and participated in both the Sufi and Bhakti movements. Not only this, but also his verses are found in the scriptures of Sikhism, including Guru Granth Sahib. The followers of both Hinduism and Islam were misguided by the Vedas and Quran and thus, questioned their meaningless rites of initiation. When Kabir suggested, the truth lies within the individual who always walks on the path of righteousness, practices indiscrimination towards all creatures on the earth, and passively detaches themselves from the world’s affairs. The legacy of Kabir still survives and continues through Kabir Panth, a religious community.

Conclusion

The bhakti movement stressing establishing a mystical connection between individuals and God spread from the 7th century until the 17th century. Both religions- Islam and Hinduism participated in the Sufi and bhakti movement during medieval times. Many poets and saints, including Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, Basavanna Kabir, Guru Nanak, Ramananda, Purandara Dasa, and more, contributed to the bhakti movement.