Women in Bhakti Movement | Indian Society for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Overview

• In many cases, they rejected traditional women’s roles and societal norms by leaving husbands and homes altogether, choosing to become wandering bhaktas.
• In some instances they formed communities with other poet saints.
• Their new focus was utter devotion and worship of their Divine Husbands.

Famous Women during this Period

• Janabai: Janabai was born around the 13^th century in Maharashtra in a low caste sudra family. She was sent to work in the upper caste family of Namdev, one of the most revered of the bhakti poet saints
• Akkamahadevi: Akkamahadevi, also known as Akka or Mahadevi was a bhakta from the southern region of Karnataka and a devotee of Shiva in the 12^th century CE
• Mirabhay: Mirabai, or Mira is said to have been born into a ruling Rajput Mirabai’s poetry tells about her vision of Lord Krishna when she was a child; from that point on Mira vowed that she would forever be his bride.
• Bahinabhai: Bahinabai was a poet saint from 17^th century Maharashtra. written in the form of abangas, women’s songs that accompanied their labors, especially in the fields. Her writings are particularly autobiographical, recounting her childhood, puberty and married life.