BHAKTI MOVEMENT

Origin, Features & Contributions

• he Bhakti Movement was a spiritual and social reform movement in medieval India, emphasising
personal devotion to God over ritualistic practices. Its significance lies in breaking caste barriers,
promoting equality, and reshaping religious traditions by making spirituality accessible to all. This
article aims to study in detail the origins, philosophy, and impact of the Bhakti Movement on
Indian society and religion.
About Bhakti Movement
• The Bhakti movement formed the basis of the revival and expansion of Hinduism from the 8th to
the 12th century AD.
• During this era, Shiva and Vishnu became the primary gods, with a large number of tribal gods
and goddesses subordinate to them.
• The Bhakti movement was started in South India and popularised by many saints, such as
Sankaracharya, Ramanuja, and Madhvacharya.
• These saints denounced Brahmanical orthodoxy and rituals and professed a connection between
God and man.
• The Bhakti movement included the lower castes that were left aloof by Brahmanical society.
Many of the saints of the Bhakti movement were from the lower castes and broke the Vedic
monopoly of the Brahmans.
• The Bhakti movement led to the expansion of Hinduism in the tribal areas and helped curb the
popularity of Buddhism and Jainism in India.
Origin of Bhakti Movement
• The Bhakti Movement, which began in South India during the early medieval period, represents
a significant cultural and religious shift.
• It emphasised personal devotion to God over ritualistic practices, leading to profound spiritual
and social changes in Indian society.
• This movement gradually spread across India, reshaping the religious landscape and laying the
groundwork for future reform movements.
Features of Bhakti Movement
• The features of the Bhakti Movement can be seen as follows:
• Worship of Shiva and Vishnu: The Bhakti saints prominently worshipped deities such as Shiva
and Vishnu, considering them personal gods.
▪ This focus on specific deities allowed devotees to develop a deeper emotional connection,
expressing their love and devotion through various forms of art and poetry.
• Use of Local Languages: Bhakti poets and saints wrote and communicated in local languages
like Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, making their teachings accessible to the common people.
▪ This use of vernacular languages helped democratize spirituality, allowing a wider audience
to engage with their messages of devotion and love.
• Nomadic Nature: Many Bhakti saints were nomadic, travelling from village to village to spread
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their messages of love, devotion, and equality.

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 ▪ Their itinerant lifestyle enabled them to connect with diverse communities, share their
insights, and inspire followers across different regions.
• Diverse Social Backgrounds: The Bhakti Movement included individuals from varied social
backgrounds, including lower classes, Brahmins, and women.
▪ This inclusivity broke traditional barriers, emphasizing that anyone could attain spiritual
fulfilment, regardless of caste, gender, or social status.
• Disregard for Inequality: Bhakti saints actively challenged societal inequalities and norms.
They preached messages of equality and unity, inviting people from all walks of life to
participate in spiritual practices.
▪ This open attitude fostered a sense of community and collective devotion, transcending
the rigid caste system prevalent at the time.
Founder of Bhakti Movement
• The Bhakti Movement does not have a singular founder; instead, it evolved through the
contributions of various influential saints and poets across India.
• Notable figures include Ramanuja, who emphasised devotion to Vishnu and the importance of
grace, and Kabir, whose verses blended Hindu and Islamic thoughts, advocating for a personal
connection with the divine.
• Mira Bai, a passionate devotee of Krishna, is celebrated for her expressive devotional poetry,
while Namdev from Maharashtra shared the message of devotion through his hymns.
• Together, these pioneers helped shape a rich tapestry of spiritual expression that transcended
traditional boundaries and caste distinctions.
Influences Leading to the Emergence of the Bhakti Movement
• Several factors influenced the Bhakti Movement:
• Decline of Buddhism and Jainism: As Buddhism and Jainism waned, there was a need for
spiritual renewal within Hinduism. The rise of Bhakti offered a more personal and accessible
path to salvation, focused on devotion rather than rigid monastic practices.
• South Indian Alvar and Nayanar Traditions: The devotional hymns of the Alvars (devotees of
Vishnu) and Nayanars (devotees of Shiva) in Tamil Nadu laid the foundation for the movement.
Their emphasis on emotional devotion to a personal deity spread across India.
• Islamic Influence: The arrival of Islam in India brought ideas of equality and direct devotion to
God, influencing Hindu reformers to challenge rigid rituals and caste-based hierarchies.
• Political Fragmentation: The absence of strong centralized rule in large parts of India created
conditions for the movement to spread, as spiritual leaders attracted followers from different
regions
Philosophical Aspects of Bhakti Movement
The Bhakti Movement’s philosophy revolved around devotion (bhakti) to a personal god and the
rejection of ritualistic practices and caste-based discrimination. The movement was characterized
by intense emotional and spiritual attachment to the divine and the belief that love and devotion
are the primary means of attaining salvation.
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 Core Beliefs and Teachings of Bhakti Saints
• Personal God and Devotion: Bhakti saints preached that God is a personal being who can be
directly worshipped with love and devotion.
• Saints like Kabir, Tulsidas, and Mirabai emphasized an intimate relationship with the divine,
be it through worship of Vishnu, Shiva, or a formless God.
• This devotion could transcend caste, gender, or social standing.
• Equality of All: Bhakti saints opposed the caste system and social hierarchies, asserting that all
are equal in God’s eyes.
• They believed that salvation is available to everyone, irrespective of caste, gender, or birth.
• Salvation through Devotion, Not Rituals: Bhakti philosophy rejected the complex rituals and
priestly mediation of traditional Hindu practices.
• Saints emphasized the importance of inner devotion, love, and faith over external rituals or
sacrifices. Salvation, or moksha, was attainable through a direct, personal connection with
God.
• Simple, Pure Life: Leading a life of simplicity, humility, and surrender to God was considered
essential. Bhakti saints advocated for a path of love and service rather than intellectual
knowledge or asceticism.
Concepts of God, Devotion, and Salvation
• God: The Bhakti tradition offered both Nirguna (formless) and Saguna (with form) concepts of
God. Saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak emphasized the worship of a formless God, while others
like Tulsidas and Mirabai focused on a deity with form, such as Krishna or Rama.
• Devotion (Bhakti): Bhakti is the central theme of the movement, meaning pure, selfless love for
God. It was seen as the most direct path to connect with the divine, overriding the need for
intellectual study or rituals. This devotion was often expressed through songs, poems, and
prayers, known as bhajans or kirtans.
• Salvation (Moksha): Bhakti philosophy posits that anyone can attain salvation through
unwavering devotion to God. The ultimate goal is union with God, breaking free from the cycle
of birth and death (samsara)
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 Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra
• The liberal religion preached by the saint poets of Maharashtra is popularly known as
Maharashtra Dharma, a stream of the medieval Bhakti movement. Still, socially, it was more
profound, unitary, and liberal in the field of social reforms.
• The bhakti movement in Maharashtra drew its inspiration from the Bhagavatapurana and the
Siva Nathpanthis.
• Jnaneswar was a pioneer bhakti saint of Maharashtra. His commentary on the Bhagavad Gita,
called Jnaneswari, laid the bhakti ideology in Maharashtra.
• He argued against caste distinctions and believed that the only way to attain God was through
Bhakti.
• Vithoba was the God of this sect, and its followers performed a pilgrimage to the temple twice a
year. The Vithoba of Pandarpur became the mainstay of the movement in Maharashtra.
• Namdev (1270-1350) was another important bhakti saint from Maharashtra. While he is
remembered in the north Indian monotheistic tradition as a nirguna saint, in Maharashtra, he is
considered part of the varakari tradition (the Vaishnava devotional tradition).
• Some of Maharashtra’s other important bhakti saints were Choka, Sonara, Tukaram and Eknath.
Tukaram’s teachings are in the form of the Avangas (dohas), which constitute the Gatha.
• In contrast, Eknath’s teachings in Marathi attempted to shift the emphasis of Marathi
literature from spiritual to narrative compositions.
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 Bhakti Movement in South India
• In South India, the Bhakti movement was led by saints called Nayanars and Alvars.
• These saints looked at religion as a love between the god and the worshipper and rejected
austerities.
Popular Bhakti Saints in India

• Ramanuja (1017-1137) • The Vaishnava saint from South India. The early exponent of the
Bhakti movement and Vishishtadvaita philosophy.
• Ramananda (1400-1470) • The first great Bhakti saint of North India opened the doors of
Bhakti without any distinction of birth, caste, creed or sex.
• Kabir (1440-1518) • The most radical disciple of Ramananda, who was opposed to
caste, creed, image worship, and unnecessary rituals and sought
to remove the distinction between Hindus and Muslims and
believed in social unity.
• Guru Nanak (1469-1539) • A Nirguna Bhakti saint and social reformer. The first Sikh Guru and
founder of Sikhism.
• Chaitanya (1486-1534) • One of the great saints of Krishna Bhakti cult and founder of
Gaudiya or Bengal Vaishnavism.
• Vidyapati (14-15th • Maithili saint-poet who wrote thousands of love ballads on Radha-
Century) Krishna (‘Padavali’).
• Purandar Das (1480- • He was the foremost and most prolific Vaishnav saint-composer
1564) in Karnataka. He is believed to have laid the foundations of the
modern phase of Karnataka music.
• Mirabai (1498-1546) • The Rathore princess of Merata and daughter-in-law of Rana
Sanga of Mewar, she is the most well-known woman Bhakti saint
of the Krishna cult of Vaishnavism.
• Vallabhacharya (1479- • A great saint of the Krishna Bhakti cult of Vaishnavism, who
1531) propounded the philosophy of Pushti Marg.
• Surdas (1483-1563) • A blind poet of Agra. He sang the glory of Krishna in his ‘Sursagar’.
• Tulsidas (1532-1623) • The greatest saint-poet of the Ram Bhakti cult of Vaishnavism. The
celebrated author of ‘Ramcharitamanas’, ‘Kavitawali’ and
‘Gitawali’.
• Shankar Deva (1449- • The founder of the Vaishnava devotional movement in Assam.
1568)
• Dadu Dayal (1544-1603) • A Nirguna Bhakti saint from the tanner caste was born in Gujarat
but spent his whole life in Rajasthan—founder of the Dadu Panth.
• Thyagaraja (1767-1847) • A Telugu who spent his life in Tamil Nadu, he is the greatest saint
composer of Karnataka music. He adorned God in the form of
Rama, the incarnation of Vishnu and the Hero of Valmiki’s
Ramayana.
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• Bhakti saints of Maharashtra Dharma

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 • Jnaneswara/Jnanadeva • The fountain-head of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra, the
(1271-96) founder of the Marathi language and literature, wrote an
extended commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, called the
‘Bhavarthadipika’, more commonly known as ‘Jnaneshvah’.
• Namadeva (1270-1350) • A contemporary of Jnanesvara. He was a tailor by caste and was
opposed to all caste distinctions. The object of his devotion was
Vithoba or Vithal (identified with Vishnu) of Paridharpur. The cult
of Vithoba, or Vithal, known as the Varkari sect, was founded by
Namadeva.
• Eknath (1533-1599) • A great scholar saint from Maharashtra wrote a commentary on
the Ramayana called the ‘Bhavartha Ramayana’ and another
commentary on the eleventh book of the Bhagavata Purana.
• Tukaram (1598-1650) • The greatest Bhakti poet from Maharashtra wrote devotional
poems, known as Abhangas, which are the glory of devotional
poetry.
• Ramdas (1608-1681) • The last great saint poet from Maharashtra.’Dasabodha’ is a
compilation of his writings and sermons.

How Did Bhakti and Sufi Movements Interact?

• Similarities in Egalitarian Practices: Both movements promoted religious equality, with rituals
like langar (free kitchen) common to both. Initially popularized by Sufis, langar was later
adopted by Guru Nanak to combat caste hierarchy.
• The Bhakti and Sufi movements shared rituals and practices. For example, Chaitanya's
Vaishnava kirtana resembled the Sufi sama (musical concert), suggesting some degree of
interaction.
• Cultural and Mystical Exchange: Music and poetry played a significant role in both movements
as a medium to express their devotion. Sufi qawwalis and bhakti songs focused on themes of
divine love, suffering, and longing.
• Both Sufism and Bhakti emphasized an internal, personal journey towards God, characterized
by love, devotion, and emotional intensity. Sufism's ishq (divine love) mirrors Bhakti's viraha
(longing for God).
• Mutual Influence:
• Influence of Sufism on the Bhakti Movement:
▪ Saints like Guru Nanak had interactions with Sufis, particularly in their mutual rejection of
orthodox religious practices.
▪ The Sufi concept of pir (spiritual guide) and mystical union with God resonated with the
Bhakti idea of guru (teacher) and the devotee’s personal relationship with the divine.
• Many Sufi poets, including Amir Khusrau, composed verses in regional languages like Hindawi,
which mirrored the Bhakti saints’ use of vernacular languages to spread their message. This
fostered a shared literary and musical culture.
• Influence of the Bhakti Movement on Sufism: The Rishi Sufi order, founded by Shaikh
Nuruddin Wali in Kashmir, was deeply influenced by non-conformist ideas and the teachings
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of the Bhakti saint Lal Ded. The

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 ▪ Rishis adopted aspects of Kashmiri Shaivism and incorporated local devotional practices
into their Sufi philosophy.
Four Silsilas of Sufism in India
In India, four major silsilas (or spiritual orders) of Sufism have had a significant influence on
the religious and cultural landscape. These are:
1. Chishtiya Silsila:
o Founded by Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in the 12th century, this is one of the
most prominent Sufi orders in India.
o The Chishtiya order emphasizes love, tolerance, and devotion to God, and its
influence is especially strong in North India, particularly in Delhi, Ajmer (Rajasthan),
and other areas.
o The followers of this order focus on practices like dhikr (remembrance of God), sama
(spiritual listening), and charity.
2. Qadiriyya Silsila:
o Founded by Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani in the 12th century, this order is known for its
focus on personal piety, inner purity, and the direct connection between the Sufi and
God.
o The Qadiriyya order has a significant presence across India, particularly in regions like
the Deccan and parts of Bengal.
o Followers practice asceticism, regular prayer, and meditative contemplation to attain
spiritual enlightenment.
3. Naqshbandiyya Silsila:
o This order traces its lineage to Hazrat Baha-ud-Din Naqshband, who lived in Central
Asia in the 14th century.
o The Naqshbandiyya Silsila places a strong emphasis on silent dhikr (remembrance of
God), mental concentration, and the idea of 'tasfiyah' (purification) through inner
consciousness.
o It is widely spread across India, especially in regions like Kashmir, Lucknow, and other
parts of North India.
4. Suhrawardiyya Silsila:
o The Suhrawardiyya order was founded by Hazrat Shahabuddin Suhrawardi in the
12th century.
o It emphasizes the importance of spiritual knowledge, teaching, and the cultivation of
divine light. The Suhrawardis focus on ascetic practices, such as self-discipline,
simplicity, and service to humanity.
o The Suhrawardiyya order has been influential in Bengal, as well as in the Punjab and
eastern parts of India.
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 Differences Between the Bhakti and Sufi

Aspect Bhakti Movement Sufi Movement

• Largely influenced to • Followed mainly by

• Religious Influence
Hindus Muslims

• Origin traced to 7th-

• Originated in 8th-century century Arabian
• Origins
South India Peninsula (early days of
Islam)

• A religious order within

• Regarded as a social
Islam, often
• Religious Movement revival and reformation
misunderstood as a
movement in Hinduism
separate sect

• Spread across East and

• Spans many continents
• Spread North India from the
and cultures
15th century

Conclusion
• The Bhakti Movement was a revolutionary force that emphasised personal devotion over rituals,
promoting equality and simplicity in worship. It broke down social barriers, made spirituality
accessible to all, and helped revive Hinduism while curbing the influence of Buddhism and
Jainism. The legacy of Bhakti saints continues to inspire and shape Indian culture and spiritual
practices with its core values of love, humility, and faith.
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