Whenever mankind is in distress, great souls emerge for the emancipation of the Human Race. The Bhakti Movement was a theistic devotional trend which originated in South India and was considered as a revolutionized social reform in Hinduism and provided an individual – focus to the masses. The chief advocates of this Movement were Ramanuja, Jayadev, Namdev, Chaitanya, Ramananda, Kabir and Guru Nanak. Their chief emphasis was on Bhakti that is true devotion to God .The Movement began to be known as the Bhakti Movement and its advocates as the Bhaktas.
Historian, Sir Jadunath Sarkar writes, ‘All the higher thinkers, all the religious reformers, all the sincere devotees among the Hindus from the earlier times have proclaimed one and only one Supreme God behind the countless deities of popular worship and have declared the equality of all true admirers and placed simple sincere faith above religious ceremonies. They have all tried to simplify religious ceremony they have all tried to simplify religion and bring it to the doors of the commonest people.’
In order to combat the advent Islamic danger successfully and to reduce its impact on Indian society, some religious leaders and reformers of that time laid stress on the Bhakti Marg to popularize Hinduism and to diminish the impact of Islam.
The Bhakti Movement emphasizes on –purity of heart, denounces idol worship, opposes the caste system and attacks on ritualism. It also asserts self-surrender and faith in spiritual Gurus with the use of vernacular languages. Bhakti Movement could not establish itself firmly in Northern India before the Turkish subjugation as Rajput-Brahmin alliance dominated the socio-religious situation which refused to accept any secular Movement.
Bhakti Movements of Medieval India characterized sentiments of the common masses against feudal tyranny. Based on this perspective, components of revolutionary opposition to feudalism can be traced in the verses of the Bhakti Saints like Kabir, Nanak, Chaitanya and Tulsidas.
The Bhakti Movement broke free from orthodox Brahmanical system only so much that they were believers of Bhakti and religious equality. They continued to adhere to the basic principles of orthodox Brahmanism. The more fundamental monotheistic saints refused to accept orthodox Brahmanical religion completely but even they did not call for a coup against the state and the ruling class. They always tried to identify themselves in one way or another with the suffering of the common people and it belonged to different parts of India spoke different sermons, yet there was a marked similarity in their views and thinking.
The Bhakti Movement was focused on monotheism or the worship of one God. The saints thought of Ram and Rahim, Ishwar and Allah as different names of one God who is the Supreme Being. In other words, they laid emphasis on the unity of self with God. They did not believe in idol worship (Nirguna) [Kabir, Nanak] some of the Bhakti saints believed in idol worship by meditating God’s name through chants (Saguna)[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]. The saints of the Bhakti Movement laid stress on Bhakti or devotion to God. According to them, that was the only means to attain salvation.
The Bhakti Movement supported the requirement of a Guru who would guide the devotee towards attainment of salvation. They believed that a true Guru was the main source who could alone assist in attaining unity with God.
KABIR
The Bhakti Movement made a deep impact of this spiritual awakening. Kabir believed in one God. He rejected both the Vedas and the Quran and the supremacy of the Brahmanas and Mullahs. His faith in theory of Karma was remarkable. He believes in devotion and Bhakti towards God. He made a significant contribution in bringing about Hindu-Muslim unity. Like his Guru Ramananda, he preached in Hindi. His Dohas or couplets are very popular because of their lyrical beauty and simplicity of ideas. Some of his works are Bijak, Sabads,Sakhis,Mangal, Basant, Holi and Rekhtal.
Kabir’s mission was to preach complete self surrender to God and Love and devotion to achieve salvation.
GURU NANAK
Guru Nanak’s teachings can be found in the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib, as a collection of verses recorded in Gurmukhi. The fundamental beliefs of Sikhism, include faith and meditation on the name of the one Creator, unity of all humankind, engaging in selfless service, striving for social justice for the benefit and prosperity of all, and honest conduct and livelihood while living a householder’s life. The Guru Granth Sahib is worshipped as the Supreme Authority of Sikhism and is considered the eleventh and final Guru of Sikhism. Guru Nanak emphasized Bhakti, and taught that the spiritual life and secular householder life are intertwined. Nanak’s teaching is understood to be practiced in three ways:
Vand Chakko – Sharing with others, helping those with less who are in need.
Kirat Karo – Earning a living honestly, without exploitation.
Naam Japna – Meditating on God’s name to control the five weaknesses of the human personally, Guru Nanak emphasized Nam Japna (or Naam Simran), that is repetition of God’s name and attributes, as a means to feel God’s presence.
CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU
Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings centred round love and devotion to God through the different names of one Supreme Being. He emphasised on the chanting and singing of the incarnations of Krishna in the form of Kirtanas. Chaitanya with the help of the Kirtanas wanted to uplift the humankind from the material world into the path of divinity. He has left one written record in Sanskrit called Siksastakam[Eight Devotional Prayer] which were mentioned in his verses in Vaishnava Padavali it is said : ‘ Chaitanya himself wrote many songs on the Radha-Krishna theme’. Chaitanya’s epistemological, theological and ontological teachings are summarized as ten root principles called Dasa Mula. Amnaya (scripture) is the chief proof. Lord Krishna is the Supreme Absolute Truth and all the energies are sourced from Rasa – flavour, quality, or spiritual rapture or emotions. The Jivas (individual souls) are all separated parts of the Lord. In the liberated state the jivas are free from the influence of matter, due to their Tatastha (marginal) nature. Pure devotion is the only way to attain liberation and pure love of Krishna is the ultimate goal.
It is my belief that the Universe of the 21st century is in dire need of such a soul that would put the human race on the right track.