Ritika RathAIR 48 · CSE 2024 · 232 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a date or context
The Bhakti movement began in South of India in the 8-9th century. It proposed a new form of God worship i.e. Bhakti marg.
Body · points and prose
- Challenged traditional female norms of wife Eg - Mirabai forsaked her married life
- Attacked caste-based differences Eg - Ramananda had Raidas as his disciple
- Attacked religion-based violence and marginalisation. Eg - Kabir followed by both Hindus & Muslims
- Saints challenged idolatry and encouraged true devotion from the heart. Eg - Guru Nanak criticised rituals - preferred oneness
- Saints challenged rebirth and differences. Rejection of the caste system [e.g., Kabir's hymns, Namdev's songs] Eg - Basavana challenged notion of impurity & rebirth
- Other ways of challenging
- Use of local language over Sanskrit - language of cities
- Greater emphasis on action and Bhakti as against sacrifices & external traditions
Substantial Contribution to literature
- Saints composed in local language Eg - Namadev in Marathi
Emphasis on Personal Relationship with God [e.g., Meera Bai's bhajans, Surdas' praises of Krishna]
Which could be sung Eg - Guru Nanak & Mardana's rababs
Used analogies to explain their teachings, Eg - Kabir's dohas.
Wrote on social situations and hypocricy of higher castes Eg - Mirabai, Alwars, Nayanars
Basavana's writings or 'vachanas' challenged orthodoxy
Close · a summary
Thus, the Bhakti movement paved a new form of religious tradition whose impacts can be seen in India even today.
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