GS1 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Bhakti Movement | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (UPSC GS1 Mains)

Bhakti movement is an important landmark in the cultural history of the medieval India which was brought about by a galaxy of socio-religious reformers. Bhakti symbolised the complete surrender of one’s self to God. The main features of the movement were unity of God or one God though known by different names, intense love and devotion the only way to salvation, repetition of the True Name and self-surrender.

• This movement was responsible for many rites and rituals associated with the worship of God by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs of Indian subcontinent. For example, Kirtan at a Hindu temple, Qawaali at a Dargah and singing of Gurbani at a Gurdwara are all derived from the Bhakti movement of medieval India.
• The movement had profound influence on the socio-cultural milieu of the Indian subcontinent. The social base of the bhakti saints ranged from the low castes such as Kabir to the high castes such as Chaitanya Mahaprabu.
• Chaitanya (1486-1533) the eastern bhakti poet worshipped the cult of Radha Krishns. Chaitanya was influenced by the doctrines of Nimbikara, Vishnuswami, poetry of Jayadeva and Vidyapala. He believed in the philosophy of sravan and Kirtana as the highest form of devotion to lord. The influence of Chaitanya movement on the overall bhakti movement is immense as he introduced some new elements into the bhakti movement and reorients the bhakti cult in north India. 

Some of the aspects which were introduced through the Chaitanya movement in the Bhakti movement at larger scale are underlined below:

• Systematic propagation of bhakti theology: On the request of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu his selected six disciples called Goswamis started systematically present the theology of Bhakti. This was revolutionary within the bhakti movement as it was not known so far on wider scale. The propagation of bhakti ideas far and wide became instrumental in spreading the message of Chaitanya movement across the north east parts of India and had ripple effect on the other sects.
• Wider social base: Unlike most of bhakti saints, Chaitanya’s associates range from the higher caste to lower castes. His association with Acharyas made his doctrines acceptable to a wider population and later his teaching were spread by the higher and lower caste people alike. The cult of teaching doctrines introduced by Chaitanya in Gaudiya Vaishnivism was later popularised by many followers who were teachers in their own right. 
• Propagating bhakti within existing social structure: Chaitanya propagated his without relinquishing the caste identity. But he accepted the lower caste people as his devotees. This was unique as most of the bhakti saints relinquished existing hierarchies and rigidities. Yet Chaitanya cult became popular among all the people including some Muslim followers. It was because of the emphasis on the purity of thought and action which Chaitanya has emphasised in his teachings and thoughts. 
• Chanting the best means to realise God: Since the inception of Chaitanya movement, a favourite and characteristic form of worship was group singing known as kirtan. It consists of singing of simple hymns and the repetition of Krishna’s name accompanied by sounding of a drum and cymbals and by a rhythmic swaying of the body that continued for several hours and usually resulted in states of religious exaltation. This has profound influence on the later developments in worship in Hindu temples. It became an important ritual in the temples of north India. The concept was that the chanting the name of God brings the devotee closer to Him. This concept was to some extent similar to that of Sama, a Sufi tradition of exalting and chanting the name of to feel his presence. Thus it is no wonder that kirtan and Sama attracted the bhakti devotees of Hindus and Muslims towards each other’s traditions and formed the basis for composite culture. 
• Voice of oppressed: Chaitanya though belonging to higher caste became the voice of the oppressed lower trodden. He confronted even his own high caste followers in order to bridge the gap between the low and high. He became the bridge to reduce the social tensions in eastern India. His highly venerated disciples included Rupa, Santana and Jiva, all of whomwere marginalised either untouchables or stigmatised in society.

Conclusion

• Chaitanya movement is a corner stone of Vaishnavism movements that happened in the northeast after 16th century. In fact it is rightly called the first renaissance movement in Bengal. It transverse the caste barriers at the same time kept the social structures within the order. It provided a means to bridge the gap between the upper and the lower castes rather than relinquishing the social identities altogether.
• The movement didn’t prohibit the idol worship which became an integral part of the temple worship of the later times. The movement inspired many generations to teach the rightful gospel of Chaitanya which was based on love and devotion to God.
• The movement was successful in re-orienting the bhakti movement by creating a missionary to spread the bhakti ideas, reducing social tensions by emphasising on peaceful coexistence and by emphasising Sankirtana, chanting name of God as a means to come near to God.
• The movement has subtle influence on the nationalist leaders of Bengal such as Vivek Ananda, Aurbindo Ghosh and many others. The cultural and social life of Bengal in particular and north east India in general resonated many of the ideas and influences of the Chaitanya movement who is even venerated as an incarnation of Krishna and being worshipped in many parts of this region.

Topics Covered - the bhakti movement