Bhakti Movement: Impact, Causes, and Key Figure

Introduction

The term Bhakti is derived from the Sanskrit root word “Bhaj,” which means to serve, and it is defined as “devotion” or passionate love for the Divine.  It is centred on the relationship between the devotee and a personal god. The Bhakti Movement brought about revolutionary changes in moral, social, and political perspectives in the Indian subcontinent between the 8th and 18th century AD. 

Exploring the Dynamics and Impact of the Bhakti Movement in India

1. Sources to Study the Bhakti Movement:

• Literature: devotional songs, and poetry in regional languages served as primary sources.
• Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda: depicts the love between Krishna and Radha;
• Alvars’ and Nayanars Tamil hymns 
• Sanskrit work Bhagavata Purana
• Hagiographies: Biographical accounts of Bhakti saints written by their followers or sect members provide insights into their lives and teachings. 
• Janam-Sakhi: is based on the life of Guru Nanak.
• Oral transmission, oral narratives, and storytelling. 
• Burra Katha: a Telugu storytelling art form of Andhra Pradesh
• Yakshagana and  Bommalattam

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2. Causes of the Birth of the Bhakti Movement

• Superstition and Belief: Superstitious beliefs among Hindus make the religion complex in nature.
• Social Inequities: The caste system, untouchability, and inequality in society caused dissension among different sections of the people. 
• Influence of Islam: Further, Islam preached the unity of God and brotherhood of man, which attracted the oppressed common masses.
• Preaching Pure Devotion: Religious leaders in different parts of India preached pure devotion called Bhakti to remove evils like fanaticism, bigotry, and religious intolerance.

3. Main Features of the Bhakti Movement:

• Monotheistic Belief in One God: Preached monotheism (oneness of God).
• Salvation through Devotion and Faith: Salvation (freedom from the cycle of death and birth) could be attained only by deep devotion and faith in God.
• Critique of Idol Worship and Ritualism: Criticised Idol worship and condemned ritualism, pilgrimages, and fasts.
• Role of Guru as Guide and Preceptor: Guru could act as a guide and preceptor.
• Advocacy Human Values: Advocated the principles of universal brotherhood and denounced the caste system.
• Rejection of Superstitions: Superstitious practices are to be given up.
• Embrace of Vernacular Language and Poetry: Didn’t consider any language sacred and composed poems in the language of the common masses.
• Impact of Vaishnavism: Concerns about the expansion of Islam
• Classification of Bhakti Tradition: Bhakti tradition has been classified into two main categories: 
• • Saguna Bhakti (with form or attributes): The emphasis is on worshipping human-like figures of deities and their avatars. 
    • Example: Worship of lord Krishna by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
  • Nirguna Bhakti (without form or attributes): Worship of an abstract form (nirankar) of God. 
    • Example:  God in Sikhism is formless.

4. Early Proponents

• Two Groups: Early bhakti movements around the sixth century were led by two groups:  
  • Alvars (devotees of Vishnu): Nammalwar, Tirumangai Alwar, Andal, and Perialwar were famous Alvar saints.
  • Nayanars (devotees of Shiva): Appar, Sundarar, Thirugnana Sambandar, and Manickavachakar were famous Nayanar saints.
• Revival Through Vernacular Outreach: They carried their message of love and devotion to various parts of South India through the medium of the local language preaching among the common masses. 
  • It helped some of the followers of the Vedic faith revive the old Vedic religion. 
• Temple Tradition and Sacred Hymns: They sang Tamil hymns while identifying sacred sites, which later developed into major temples and pilgrimage centres. 
  • Their hymns were integrated into temple rituals, and worship of their idols became a temple tradition.
    Example: Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rameshwaram; dedicated to Lord Shiva)
• Attitude towards Caste:
• • Alvars and Nayanars challenged the caste system and Brahmanical dominance with support from diverse social groups of artisans, farmers, and marginalised “untouchable” castes.

5. Literature

• Alvars and Nayanars asserted the significance of their traditions equal to that of the Vedas.
• Alvars: Nalayira Divyaprabandham, a “four thousand sacred collection” of compositions by the 12 Alvars, was compiled in the 10th century by Nathamuni and is often referred to as the Tamil Veda.
  • The collection of devotional songs of Andal is called Thiruppavai. Andal’s Tamil works include Thiruppavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi.
• Nayanars: The Saiva literature was canonized as the Panniru Tirumurai (12 volumes).
  • Tevaram/Thevaram is a compilation of devotional poetry by Tamil poets Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar which forms the initial seven volumes of Saiva Tirumurai. 
  • The Eighth Thirumurai consists of the hymns of Manickavasakar.
• Manickvachakar’s songs are known as Tiruvachakam.
• Periyapuranam: written by Sekhizhar, tells us the life stories of the Nayanars. It is the twelfth Thirumurai of the Saiva canon.

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6. Women Devotees

• Women’s Spiritual Struggle and Equality: Women were at the bottom of the traditional hierarchy of society. 
  • Only through demonstrations of their utter devotion to the Divine and stubborn insistence on their spiritual equality with their contemporaries were these women reluctantly acknowledged and accepted within their ranks.  
  • Many of them rejected asceticism as the crucial means towards liberation.
• Notable Women Devotees: Some of the noted women devotees are:
  • Akkamahadevi: also known as Akka or Mahadevi, was a devotee of Shiva from the southern region of Karnataka, in the 12th century C.E.
  • Karaikkal Ammaiyar: a devotee of Shiva, pursued extreme asceticism to achieve her spiritual goals. 
  • Andal: a woman Alvar, composed verses expressing her love for Vishnu.
• Challenging Patriarchal Norms: These women chose a path of renunciation but didn’t join formal religious orders or become nuns. 
  • Their existence and writings challenged patriarchal norms in society.

7. Mixing of Little and Great Traditions

• Integration of Traditions: Brahmanas began to incorporate and adapt the beliefs and practices of various social categories, leading to the mixing of little and great traditions. 
  • Great traditions are practices from dominant social categories like priests and rulers, whereas Little traditions are local practices.
• Fusion of Local and Puranic Traditions: An illustrative example of this integration is observed in Puri, Orissa, where the principal deity came to be known as Jagannatha and was recognized as a form of Vishnu by the 12th century, highlighting the fusion of local and Puranic traditions.

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Conclusion

The Bhakti Movement reshaped the moral, social, and political landscape of India by promoting devotion as a means of spiritual liberation. It challenged orthodox beliefs, inspired by the teachings of saints like Alvars and Nayanars, and transcended barriers of caste and gender. The legacy of the Bhakti Movement endures, emphasizing the power of love and faith in fostering unity and spiritual growth across diverse communities.

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