Bhakthi Movement
- The mid-first millennium of the Common Era (the age before the coming of the Turks and which continued till the time of Akbar), in the country, a great religious tradition flourished in the form0 of a devotional or bhakti movement. Bhakti as a religious concept means devotional surrender to a supreme god for attaining salvation. Even though texts such as the Bhagavad Gita talk about the path of bhakti, or bhakti-marga, the movement gained force only in this period. Historians argue that this emerged in opposition to the ethical, fatalistic and atheistic traditions of Jainism and Buddhism.
- The exponents of the Bhakti movement in Medieval India were mystic saints who had many things in common. They were non-sectarian in the sense that they were not affiliated to any particular sect. They had no desire to set up separate religious sects of their own. They were free from the bondage of any particular creed. They had no blind faith in any sacred scriptures. They attained greatness by individual exertion. They did not follow any rituals or ceremonies. Most of them condemned idolatry. They believed in one God. They realised the unity of God although different names such as Rama, Krishna, Allah etc. were used by different religions. Their view was that Bhakti or Devotion to God was the only means of salvation. Bhakti implied single-minded, uninterrupted and extreme devotion to God without any ultimate motive.
Causes of the Rise and Spread of the Bhakti Movement
- Evils of Hinduism: Caste system and untouchability were widespread and the Islamic missionaries were trying to attract Hindus towards Islam by virtue of their propaganda as to the ideas of brotherhood and anti-untouchability campaign. Therefore the Hindu devotees tried to defend the Hindu religion, against the Islamic propaganda and the ‘Tabligh’.
- Hindu-Muslim Integration: A basic cause of the extension and popularity of the Bhaktimovement during this time was that majority of its propagators tried to bring about unity in the two major communities – Hindus and Muslims.
- Muslim Sovereignty: The number of Muslim ruling class and nobility was constantly increasing. The Hindus came to the conclusion that it was difficult to drive them out.
- The Path of Knowledge of Shankaracharya: Shankaracharya had stretched the worship of “Nirguna” Brahma and attainment of Moksha through knowledge in his ‘Adwaitvad’ (theory that God and man are identical). This path could not remove the disappointment of the common man. This path was very difficult for common man. The Vaishnava Saints placed more emphasis on ‘Saguna’ school of devotees and Bhakti instead of Gyan (the knowledge). This became very popular with the people.
- Propagation of Sufi Saints: The efforts of Sufi saints like Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti, Bakhtiyar, Kaki, Fariduddin Ganj-i-Sakar, Nizamuddin Aulia, Nasiruddin Chirag-i-Delhi etc. also prepared a favourable atmosphere for the Bhakti movement in India. They restrained the fanaticism of the Muslims. The style of songs and music adopted by them also favoured in ‘Saguna’ school of Bhakti or devotion.
- Rise of Saint Devotees: The most important cause of the constant development of the Bhakti movement from the 13th to 16th century was that it was continuously enriched by the inspiring thoughts of devotee Saints, like Ramanuja, Ramanand, Chaitanya. Kabir, Guru Nanak, Dadu, Bhallabacharya etc. helped in the growth of the movement by their preachings.
Salient Features of Bhakti Movement:
The following are the salient features of Bhakti Movement:
- Unity of God: Majority of Saint Devotees stressed the fact that God is one.
- The Path of Devotion: Ramanuja propagated the principle of Bhakti within the Vaidantist Philosophy. Kabir said that the path of Bhakti was greater than knowledge and action because without the feeling of devotion to god penance etc. were all useless.
- Emphasis of Religious Simplicity: The propagation of the Bhakti Movement also emphasized that superstitions, orthodox rituals etc. should be removed from the religion.They stressed human qualities and moral characteristics.
- Opposition to Idolatry: Almost all the propagators of the Bhakti Movement opposed idolatry. Guru Nanak and Kabir both were against idolatry.
- Emphasis on the Devotion to Guru: Many of the propagators of the Bhakti Movement like Ramanuja, Kabir, Nanak and Chaitanya stressed the grace of the Guru for the attainment of liberation.
- Popular Language: The Bhakti saints used easy and understandable language to a common man.
- Humanitarian Attitude. Bhakti saints considered all the men as equal and opposed those who differentiated between man and man on the basis of birth, gender, caste, religion etc.
- Harmonious Attitude. Majority of saints of Bhakti Movement tried to generate an atmosphere of goodwill between the Hindus and the Muslims.
- Social Reform. Also most of Bhakti saints were also social reformers along with being religious reformers. In addition to opposing caste system, they proclaimed untouchability to be a crime against humanity and God. They also made efforts to reform the condition of women. Many saints opposed practices like Sati, female infanticide, slave system etc.
