Question

Write the main features of the 'Bhakti Movement'.

Hint:

For an essay on the Bhakti Movement, structure your answer around its key features. Start with its core idea (devotion), then discuss its social impact (anti-caste), its methods (use of vernaculars), and its main branches (Saguna and Nirguna), citing a few key saints for each point.

Answer 1

The Bhakti Movement was a socio-religious reform movement that swept across medieval India from the 7th to the 17th century. It emphasized devotion (\textit{bhakti}) as the primary means to achieve salvation (\textit{moksha}). Originating in the Tamil-speaking regions of South India with the Alvars (devotees of Vishnu) and Nayanars (devotees of Shiva), it gradually spread to the north.
The main features of the Bhakti Movement were:
\begin{enumerate}
Belief in One God (Monotheism): While the Bhakti saints worshipped different gods and goddesses, they all preached the fundamental unity of God. They propagated that God could be called by different names (Rama, Krishna, Allah, etc.) but is ultimately one.
Emphasis on Bhakti (Devotion): The movement's core principle was that intense, personal devotion and love for God was the only way to attain salvation. This path was considered superior to the traditional paths of Jnana (knowledge) and Karma (rituals).
Rejection of Rituals and Ceremonies: The Bhakti saints condemned elaborate rituals, ceremonies, and blind faith. They taught that God could be reached through simple, heartfelt devotion, not through complex priestly practices.
Condemnation of the Caste System: The movement was a powerful voice against the rigidities of the caste system. Saints like Kabir, Ravidas, and Guru Nanak strongly preached the equality of all human beings, stating that one's caste or creed was irrelevant in the eyes of God.
Use of Local Languages: To make their teachings accessible to the common people, the Bhakti saints composed their hymns, poems, and songs in vernacular languages like Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Hindi, and Punjabi, rather than Sanskrit, which was understood only by the elite.
Importance of the Guru: The Bhakti tradition stressed the necessity of a Guru (spiritual teacher) to guide the devotee on the path of devotion and help them attain salvation.
Direct Relationship with God: The movement encouraged a personal, emotional bond between the devotee and God. It opposed the idea of priests or intermediaries being necessary for worship.
Two Schools of Thought: The movement was broadly divided into two streams:

Saguna Bhakti: Worshipped God with attributes (form), as an incarnation like Rama or Krishna. Key proponents were Tulsidas, Surdas, and Mirabai.
Nirguna Bhakti: Worshipped a formless God without attributes. Key proponents were Kabir and Guru Nanak.
\end{enumerate}