Bhakti movement
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
|---|
|
|
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism in India |
|---|
| Part of a series on |
| Sikhism |
|---|
|
|
The Bhakti movement was a significant religious movement in medieval Hinduism[1] that sought to bring religious reforms to all strata of society by adopting the method of devotion to achieve salvation.[2] Originating in Tamilakam during the 6th century CE,[3][4] it gained prominence through the poems and teachings of the Vaishnava Alvars and Shaiva Nayanars in early medieval South India, before spreading northwards.[1] It swept over east and north India from the 15th century onwards, reaching its zenith between the 15th and 17th century CE.[5]
The Bhakti movement regionally developed around different Hindu gods and goddesses, and some sub-sects were Vaishnavism (Vishnu), Shaivism (Shiva), Shaktism (Shakti goddesses), and Smartism.[6][7][8][9] The Bhakti movement preached using the local languages so that the message reached the masses. The movement was inspired by many poet-saints, who championed a wide range of philosophical positions ranging from theistic dualism of Dvaita to absolute monism of Advaita Vedanta.[10][11]
The movement has traditionally been considered an influential social reformation in Hinduism, as it provided an individual-focused alternative path to spirituality, regardless of one's birth or gender.[5] Contemporary scholars question whether the Bhakti movement was ever a reform or rebellion of any kind.[12] They suggest that the Bhakti movement was a revival, reworking, and recontextualisation of ancient Vedic traditions.[13]
- ^ a b Schomer & McLeod (1987), p. 1.
- ^ India Today Web Desk New (24 January 2019). "CBSE Class 12 History #CrashCourse: Bhakti movement's emergence and influence". India Today.
- ^ Hawley 2015, p. 87.
- ^ Padmaja, T. (2002). Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: History, Art, and Traditions in Tamil nāḍu. Abhinav. ISBN 978-81-7017-398-4.
- ^ a b Schomer & McLeod (1987), pp. 1–2.
- ^ Nelson, Lance (2007). Espín, Orlando O.; Nickoloff, James B. (eds.). An Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies. Liturgical Press. pp. 562–563. ISBN 978-0814658567.
- ^ Kumar, S. S. (2010). Bhakti – the Yoga of Love. Münster: LIT. pp. 35–36. ISBN 978-3643501301.
- ^ Doniger, Wendy (2009). "Bhakti". Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ^ Johar, Surinder (1999). Guru Gobind Singh: A Multi-faceted Personality. MD Publications. p. 89. ISBN 978-8-175-33093-1.
- ^ Schomer & McLeod (1987), p. 2.
- ^ Christian Novetzke (2007). "Bhakti and Its Public". International Journal of Hindu Studies. 11 (3): 255–272. doi:10.1007/s11407-008-9049-9. JSTOR 25691067. S2CID 144065168.
- ^ Pechilis Prentiss (2014), pp. 10–16.
- ^ Pechilis Prentiss (2014), pp. 15–16.