BHAKTI & SUFI MOVEMENT

Bhakti Movement: The Bhakti movement was a religious reform movement initiated by Hindu saints during medieval Hinduism, emphasizing devotion (Bhakti) to achieve salvation.

Sub-Sects: The movement was regionally influenced by different gods and goddesses, with prominent sub-sects being:

• Vaishnavism (worship of Vishnu)
• Shaivism (worship of Shiva)
• Shaktism (worship of Shakti)
• Smartism

Scriptures: Key scriptures of the Bhakti movement include:

• Bhagavad Gita
• Bhagavata Purana
• Padma Purana

Philosophy: The Bhakti movement offered two ways of understanding the nature of the divine (Brahman):

• Nirguna Brahman:
  • Represents the Ultimate Reality as formless, without attributes or qualities.
  • Associated with Jnana-shrayi (knowledge-based poetry) and emphasized a formless divine.
• Saguna Brahman:
  • Imagined God with form, attributes, and qualities.
  • Associated with Prema-shrayi (love-based poetry), focusing on devotion to a personal deity.

Sufi Movement

• Sufism (or Tasawwuf) is the mystical expression of Islam, emphasizing values, ritual practices, and mystical union with God.
• Origin: The Sufi movement came to India in 1300 AD and spread to South India in the 15th century.
• Key Regions: It started in Multan and Punjab, eventually spreading to Kashmir, Bihar, Bengal, and the Deccan.
• Philosophy: The Sufi movement is based on the Pir-Murid relationship (Teacher-Student).

Reasons for the Rise of the Bhakti Movement

• Evils in Hindu Society: Common people developed an aversion to social evils and sought liberal religious practices that were simpler.
• Complexity of Religion: The Vedic and Upanishadic philosophies were complex, leading to the rise of Bhakti Marga (path of devotion) as an easier way to attain salvation.
• Role of Religious Reformers: Key exponents of the Bhakti movement include Shankara, Ramanuja, Kabir, Nanak, Mirabai, Tulsidas, Surdas, and others who advocated simple forms of worship and devotion.
• Challenge from Rival Religion: The impact of Muslim rule created fear and despair, leading people to seek solace through Bhakti practices.
• Influence of Sufism: The Sufi movement, with its emphasis on love and devotion, resonated with the Bhakti movement, influencing its development.

Significance of the Bhakti Movement

• Social Order: The movement promoted high moral values, opposing social evils like infanticide and immoral acts. Advocated for the prohibition of wine, tobacco, and toddy, opposed the caste system, and promoted equality for women.
• Reduced the Power of Pandits: Bhakti saints reduced the influence of pandits (priests) in making people realize God, by denouncing rituals like idol worship, fasting, and pilgrimages.

• Example: Kabir promoted Nirguna Bhakti (worship of a formless God) and denounced rituals.

• Hindu-Muslim Unity: The movement aimed to bridge gaps between Hindus and Muslims. Saints of both Bhakti and Sufi traditions spread messages of friendship, tolerance, peace, and equality.
• Female Empowerment: Some Bhakti saints were women, like Andal, who encouraged other women to participate in the movement.

• Example: Mira Bai followed Bhakti of Krishna, challenging the stereotypes attached to women at that time.

• Breaking of Caste Barriers: Bhakti saints belonged to all castes, breaking the caste barrier that restricted lower castes, like the Shudras, from participating in worship.
• Changes in the Method of Worship: Devotion and love for one God, common to both Hindus and Muslims, became the central theme.
• Democratization of Society: The Bhakti movement cleared the path to God, making it more accessible by breaking ritualistic obstacles imposed by pandits.
• Spirit of Tolerance, Harmony, and Mutual Respect: Under this movement, a new cult called Satyapir emerged, promoting tolerance and mutual respect. This spirit of liberalism was later adopted by Akbar.
• Promotion of Vernacular Language and Literature: Saints like Kabir, Nanak, and Chaitanya preached in their respective vernacular languages—Kabir in Hindi, Nanak in Gurmukhi, and Chaitanya in Bengali.
• Influenced the Rulers: The movement influenced rulers like Shivaji, and the foundation of Sikhism was one of its outcomes.
• Encouragement of Fraternity: Bhakti saints promoted unity in society, making God accessible to all.

• Example: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu popularized Kirtans, where people of all backgrounds sang together for God.

• Concept of Humanity: Society became more humane, with Bhakti principles encouraging people to serve others rather than being selfish.

• Example: Guru Nanak started the Langar tradition (community kitchen), feeding people of all castes and classes together.

Re-orientation of Bhakti Movement with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

• Gaudiya Vaishnavism: Founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Bengal in the 16th century, forming the philosophical and spiritual foundation for the Hare Krishna Movement.

• Social Reformism: Though a Brahmin, Chaitanya condemned the caste system, as well as ritualism and formalism in religion.

• Method of Salvation: He preached devotion to Krishna, expressed through chants and dance, as the only path to salvation.

• Inclusive Belief System: Chaitanya’s followers included lower caste Hindus, Shudras, Untouchables, and even Muslim converts like Haridasa Thakur.

Present Context of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Teachings

• Global Influence: Chaitanya’s teachings are now spread through ISKCON and the Hare Krishna Movement, popularizing the Hare Krishna mantra and Kirtans worldwide.
• Mandate: Chaitanya asked his followers to go house to house and spread the chant of “Hari Bol”.
• Devotion: He emphasized Nama Simaran (chanting God’s name) as the path to devotion.
• Sankirtan Mandali: Groups where people chant, sing, and dance together, breaking barriers of caste, creed, religion, and sex.

Contributions of Bhakti Saints to Vernacular Languages

Bhakti saints translated scriptures into local languages, making them more accessible compared to the Sanskrit texts that were difficult for common people.

1. Tamil: Contributions like the Divya Prabandham by the 12 Alvars and the Thevaram by the 63 Nayanars.
2. Bengali: Used by Chaitanya and poet Chandidas to write on the love of Radha and Krishna. Ballads on contemporary events were also composed.
3. Assamese: Bhakti leader Shankardeva popularized the Assamese language through short one-act plays, moral stories, and content drawn from the Puranas.
4. Marathi: Eknath Tukaram, a Shudra saint, focused on bringing spiritual teachings to the common man and popularized Marathi literature.
5. Odiya: Jagannath Temple at Puri holds 12th-century manuscripts that contributed to the development of Oriya as a language. Chaitanya encouraged using Oriya over Sanskrit.
6. Maithili: Associated with Vaishnava and Bhakti literature, the development of Maithili occurred in the region of modern Bihar.
7. Hindi: Promoted by the Bhakti movement through saints like Kabir (Doha), Nanak, Surdas, Tulsidas, and Mirabai. Amir Khusro also used Hindi in his poetry.

Advent of the Sufis to India

• Migration and Proselytization: Sufis migrated to far-off lands, including India, and peacefully spread their teachings and proselytized among non-Muslims.
• Arab Conquest of Sindh: After the establishment of Muslim rule in northern India, Sufis from various parts of the Muslim world began migrating to settle in India.
• Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: Numerous Sufi orders were introduced into India, which became home to many Sufi refugees fleeing from other parts of the Islamic world.

Influence/Impact of the Sufi Movement

• Religious Tolerance: Sufism promoted tolerance among both rulers and people, helping to reduce Hindu-Muslim conflicts and foster brotherhood between the two communities.
• Influenced Bhaktism: The principles of Sufism, emphasizing devotion and love for God, were similar to those of the Bhakti movement, boosting its popularity.
• Liberal State Policy: Sufism had a liberalizing effect on state policies. Under Sufi influence, rulers like Sher Shah Suri and Akbar moved away from orthodox practices and treated all their subjects equally.
• Exchange of Religious Ideas: Sufism encouraged mutual respect between religions. Hindus began respecting Muslim saints, and Muslims began venerating Hindu gods and goddesses.
• Accessible for All: Sufism influenced both rural and urban areas, leaving a deep cultural and political impact. It promoted peace and harmony in a world filled with conflict.
• Emphasized Spirituality: Sufism focused on the spirit of religion rather than intellectual dogma, drawing inspiration from Islamic philosophy.
• Independent of Orthodox Dogmas: Sufis dissociated themselves from orthodox centers as a protest against their misinterpretation of the Quran.
• Educational Advancement: Sufi khanqahs (monasteries) became centers of knowledge and wisdom, promoting education in society.
• Large-Scale Conversion: The Chishti order attracted lower caste Hindus, leading to large-scale conversions. Sufi brotherhood promoted equality and was appealing to the lower classes.
• Empowerment of Rulers: The Sufi doctrine of Universal Brotherhood (Sulh-i-kul) was adopted by Akbar in his efforts to create a national state in India.
• Musical Tradition: Sufis contributed to poetry and rich literature, including anecdotes and fables. Amir Khusrau was one of the notable writers of this period. Sufis are also credited with the invention of musical instruments like the sitar and tabla.

Influence of the Bhakti Movement on Sufism and Vice Versa:

• Rishi Order of the Sufis in Kashmir: The non-conformist ideas of the Bhakti movement influenced the Rishi order of Sufis in Kashmir. The famous Bhakti-preacher Lal Ded was influenced by Sufism.
• Visiting Khanqahs: Nathpanthi yogis visited the khanqahs of Chishti sheikhs, discussing mysticism and exchanging ideas on spirituality.
• Non-conformist Saints: Bhakti saints picked up ideas from Islam, such as faith in one God, rejection of idol worship, belief in Nirguna Bhakti, and the rejection of the caste system.