Bhakti Movement

NORTH INDIA-

1. Ramananda:was originally a follower of Ramanuja.Later, he founded his own sect and preached his principles in Hindi at Benaras and Agra.
   1. He considered it to be the link between the South Indian Bhakti and North Indian Vaishnava Bhakti traditions.
   2. He looked upon Ram and not Vishnu as the object of bhakti.
2. Kabir:-Among the disciples of Ramananda and 15th century Bhakti poet and saint, whose verses are found in the Sikh holy scripture, Adi Granth.
   1. He was born near Benares to a Brahman widow, but was brought up by a Muslim couple who were weavers by profession.
   2. his followers are called Kabirpanthis.
   3. Bijak is the best known of the compilations of the compositions of Kabir.
3. Guru Nanak:-The first Sikh Guru and founder of the Sikhism, who was also a Nirguna Bhakti Saint and social reformer.
4. Dadu Dayal-He was a saint from Gujarat ,his followers came to be known as the Dadupanthis who set up ashrams known as Thambas around the region.It is believed that Emperor Akbar was one of his followers.
5. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:-Well-known saint, ascetic Hindu monk, and social reformer of Bengal, who popularised the Krishna cult in the 16th century.Popularised the Sankirtan/Kirtan system (group devotional songs accompanied with ecstatic dancing).The biography of Chaitanya was written by Krishnadas Kaviraj.
6. Saint Tyagaraja-Was one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music, who composed thousands of devotional compositions, most in Telugu and in praise of Lord Ram.He was a prolific composer and composed the famous Pancharatna Kritis (meaning five gems).

From South India

1. Sankaracharya-He was born in Kaladi (Kerala) and propounded the Advaita (Monism) philosophy and Nirgunabrahman (god without attributes).In Advaita, the reality of the world is denied and Brahman is considered as the only reality. It is only Brahman at its base that gives it its reality.
   1. His famous quotes include, “Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya Jivo Brahmatra Naparaha”, meaning, “The Absolute Spirit is the reality, the world of appearance is Maya”
   2. Established mathas at Sringiri, Dwarka, Puri, and Badrinath.
   3. Wrote commentary on the Bhagvat Gita, on the Brahmasutra and the Upanishads, and wrote books like: (a) Upadesh Shastri (b) Vivek Chudamani (c) Bhaja Govindum Stotra
2. Ramanuja-Born at Sriperumbudur near modern Chennai in the 12th century.He opposed the mayavada of Shankara and advocated the philosophy of Vishista Advaitavada (qualified monism), and founded the Shrivaishnava sect. According to him, God is Saguna Brahman.
   1. Vishista Advaita, the world and Brahman are also considered two equally real entities, as in dualism, but here the world is not separate from Brahman but is formed out of Brahman.
   2. . Thus in Vishista Advaita, although both the world and Brahman are considered equally real, they are not considered two separate entities as in Dualism.
   3. lso advocated prabattimarga or the path of self-surrender to God.
   4. He wrote: (a) Sribhashya (b) Vedanta dipa (c) Gita Bhasya (d) Vedantasara
3. Madhavacharya-In the 13th century, Madhava from Kannada region propagated Dvaita or the dualism of the Jivatma and Paramatma.
   1. According to this philosophy, the world is not an illusion but a reality, full of real distinction. According to Madhava, Brahman and the world are considered to be two equally real entities and not related in any way.
   2. He also founded the Brahma Sampradya.
4. Nimbraka-Younger contemporary of Ramanujam who propounded the Dvaita advaita philosophy and the philosophy of Bheda Abheda (difference/ non–difference).
   1. Like Vishista Advaita, the Bheda Abheda school also believes that the world and Brahman are both equally real, and that the world is a part of Brahman. The difference is on emphasis only.
   2. He also founded the Sanak Sampradaya.
5. Vallabhacharya-Born in Benaras in the 15th century and lived at the court of Krishnadeva Raya.He propounded the Shudhadvaita (pure monism).
   1. Shudhadvaita, as in Vishista Advaita, the world is taken to have a real existence, as also Brahman.
   2. But it is said that there is no change of Brahman into the world, the world exists as it were as an aspect of Brahman without undergoing any change, it is a part of Brahman.
   3. Its philosophy is Pushtimarga.
   4. He founded the Rudra Sampradya.
   5. Surdas was the disciple of Vallabhacharya.

The Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra-

The Bhakti Movement is broadly divided into two sects:

1. Varakaris: The mild devotees of God Vitthala of Pandharpur, who are more emotional, theoretical, and abstract in their view-point.
2. Dharakaris: The heroic followers of the cult of Ramadasa, the devotee of God Rama, who are more rational, practical, and concrete in their thoughts.

The three great saints belonging to the Vithoba cult were Jnaneswar, Jnanadeva, Namdeva, and Tukaram.

1. Jnaneswara or Jnanadeva:-A 13th century pioneer bhakti saint of Maharashtra, whose commentary on the Bhagvat Gita called Jnanesvari served as a foundation of the bhakti ideology in Maharashtra.
2. Namdeva-belonged to the Varkari sect.He is considered one the five revered gurus in the Dadupanth tradition within Hinduism, the other four being Dadu, Kabir, Ravidas, and Hardas.It is believed that his Abhangas were included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
3. Sant Eknath-He introduced a new form of Marathi religious song called Bharood.
4. Tukaram-His poetry was devoted to Vitthala or Vithoba, an avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu.He was a contemporary of Shivaji and was responsible for creating a background for Maratha nationalism, ‘Parmaratha’.
5. Ramdasa-He was born in c.1608 CE and was the spiritual guide of Shivaji.He wrote Dasabodha.