RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS IN INDIA

Bhakti Movement 

1. Bhakti is a devotional worship of God with the ultimate objective of attaining moksha or salvation. The concept of 'Bhakti' was put forth right in the AD 6th century, but became most popular during the medieval times all over India. The Alvars (Vaishnavaites) and Narayars (Shaivites) popularized the cult in South India. 

2. The Bhakti saints offered a liberal approach of Hinduism, which was largely targeted to the lower castes. Rama and Krishna emerged as the leading Hindu deities. With Saguna and Nirguna Bhakti emerged as powerful medium, each having its own votaries. 

3. Saints of Bhakti Movement gave three means (margas) for attaining salvation, 

1. Gyan Marga 

2. Karma Marga 

3. Bhakti Marga 

Causes for the Emergence of Bhakti Movement 

1. Bhakti Movement used local language for preaching. They ignored caste system and initially, this movement was based on equality of all human beings. The saints of Bhakti Movement became very popular in Southern India and displaced Jainism and Buddhism as popular religions from that region. 

2. Improvement in the economic condition of the lower class, especially artisans and impact of Islam's doctrine of monotheism and equality were also important cause for emergence of Bhakti Movement in North. 

Bhakti Saints 

Sankracharya (AD 788-822) 

1. He is known as Pseudo-Buddha or saviour of modern Hinduism; born at Kalindi, Kerala. 

2. Teaching concepts of maya (illusion), advaita and importance of Vedanta. 

3. He established 4 mathas at Badrinath, Puri, Sringeri, Dwarka. 

4. He wrote commentaries on Upanishads, Bhagawad Gita and Brahmasutras of Badrayana. 

Ramanuja Acharya (AD 1017-1137) 

He was a Tamil Vaishnavite saint. He advocated, Philosophy of Visistadvaita. wrote Vedanta Samgraha, commentaries on Brahmasutras and Bhagawad Gita. 

Vallabhacharya (1479-1531 CE) 

He was a devotional philosopher, who founded the Pushti sect in India following the philosophy of Shuddha advaita.

Madhavacharya (13th century) 

He was a Kannada Vaishnavite saints. He gave Philosophy of Dvaita and divided universe into two parts: Swatanra and a Swatantra. 

Nimbaraka (AD 13th-14th centuries) 

He was a Telugu Vaishnavite saints; concept of Dvaita was propounded by him. 

Raghunandan 

He belonged to Navadwipe (Nadia) in Bengal and was considered to be the most influential writer on the Dharamashastras. 

Vidyapati (14th-15th centuries) 

He was also known as Maithil Kavi Kokil and was a Maithili poet and a Sanskrit writer. He was born in the village Bisje in Madhubani district of Mithila, region of India. His works includes Bhu-Parikarma, Varsakrtya, Danavakyavali etc. 

Nirguna Saints 

Kabir (AD 1440-1510) 

He opposed to caste, creed, image worship and propagated Hindu-Muslim unity. He wrote-Sabad, Bijak, Doha, Holi, Rekhtal. The verses of Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Dhanna, Pipa etc; were included in Adi Granth. He propagated Ram Bhakti.

Guru Nanak (AD 1469-1539) 

1. He was born at Talwandi in Lahore. He propagated monism, Hindu-Muslim unity and denounced idol worship. 

2. His disciple Mardana played Rabab. His poems were later collected in the Adi Granth. His followers founded a new religious sect Sikhism and it had ten Gurus.

1. Guru Nanak 

2. Guru Angad 

3. Guru Amardas

4. Guru Ramdas, Akbar granted him the land at Amritsar, where the Golden temple now exists. 

5. Guru Arjanmal, complied Adi Granth and was killed by Jahangir. 

6. Guru Haragobind, he militarized the Sikh sect and defeated the Mughal army at Sangama near Amritsar. 

7. Guru Har Rai 

8. Guru Har Krishna 

9. Guru Tegh Bahadur, he was executed by Aurangzeb. 

10. Guru Go in Singh, he instituted the custom of Baptism thus, formed the Khalsa. He compiled Dasven Padshah Ka Granth was stabbed to death by an Afghan fanatic.

Dadu Dayal (AD 1554-1603) 

He was born in Ahmedabad to Muslim parents, brought up by a Hindu. His teachings are collected in a book called 'BANI'. Disciples-Sundaradasa, Rajjab, Bakham and Warid. He founded Brahma sect or Param Brahma Sampradaya. 

Saguna Saints (Ram Bhakti) 

Tulsi Das (AD 1532-1623) 

He was contemporary to Akbar. He wrote Ramcharitamanas, Kavitawali, Gitawali, Parvati Mangal, Janaki Mangal. 

Nabhaji 

He wrote Bhaktmal in which 200 Bhaktas have been mentioned. 

Ramananda (AD 14th-15th centuries) 

He propagated Bhakti in North India. Organized a group of cadres called Bairagis. His disciples include Kabir (weaver), Ravidas (cobler), Sen (Barber), Dhanna (Jet). He was a worshipper of Krishna. 

Twelve Disciples of Ramananda 

Twelve Disciples (Avadhuts of Ramananda) 

1. Kabir

2. Pipa

3. Dhanna

4. Ravidas

5. Bharanand

6. Sen

7. Sukhanand

8. Sri Ananda

9. Paramanand

10. Sursurananda

11. Mahanand

12. Anantananda

Saguna Saints (Krishna Bhakti) 

Vallabhacharya (AD 1479-1531) 

He was Telangana Brahmin born at Banaras. Title Jagat Guru Mahaprabhu. Established Pushti Marg. He established Pushtimarg and gave philosophy of Shudha Advaita. 

Surdas (AD 1483-1563) 

He was disciple of Vallabhacharya and a blind poet of Agra. Sang the glory of Krishna in his Sursagar. 

Mirabai (AD 1498-1546) 

She was rathore princess of Merata and daughter in law of Rana Sanga of Mewar (husband-Bhuja Raja). She wrote the vers Padavali. 

Chaitanya (AD 1486-1533) 

He was known as Gaudiya Mahaprabhu. Founder of Gaurang or Bengal Vaishnavism. His teacher was Ishwapuri. He propounded philosophy of Achintya Bhedabheda.

Shankara Deva (AD 1449-1568) 

Established Ek Sharan Sampradaya or Mahapurushiya Sampradaya in Assam. 

Maharashtra Dharma Saints 

Jnanesvara/Jnanadeva (AD 1271-1296) 

He was worshipper of Vithoba. He was associated with Krishnamargi sect. He was founder of Marathi language and literature. He wrote commentaries on Bhagawad Gita called Dyaneshwari/Bhavarthadipka. 

Namdeva (AD 1270-1350) 

He was tailor by caste, opposed caste distinction. He founded Vakari sect or the cult of Vithoba.  

Eknath (AD 1533-1599)

He was associated with Varkari Sect. He wrote commentary on the Ramayana called the Bhavartha Ramayana and another commentary on the 11th book of the Bhagawata Purana. 

Tukaram (1598-1650) 

He was associated with Dharkari and Varkari sect. He wrote devotional poems called Abhangas. He was the teacher of Shivaji. 

Ramdas (1608-1681) 

He complied his writings and sermons in Dasabodha. 

Purandar Das (1480-1564) 

A saint from Karnataka, he is known as the Father of Carnatic music. 

Tyagaraja (1767-1847) 

Greatest saints composer of Carnatic music from Tamil Nadu. 

The Sufi Movement 

1. The term Sufi has its origin from the Arabic word Safa. 

It has two meanings 

A. One who wear woolen clothes. 

B. Symbolises purity and sacredness. 

2. Sufi mysticism is associated with the liberal interpretation of Quran called Tarikat. (Shariat is the conservative interpretation of Quran). It believes that Haq (God) and Khalaq (Soul) are the same. The Sufi orders were divided into two parts:

(I) Ba-shara                                   (II) Be-shara