Socio-religious Movements in India Chapter Notes | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Introduction

In history, there were special spiritual figures known as Bhakti Saints who played important roles in India. They focused on personal devotion to a higher power and influenced religious beliefs in profound ways.

Key Points

• Bhakti: This means showing personal devotion to a higher being with complete surrender. It was practiced in South India by the Alvars and Nayanars.
• North India Influence: The Bhakti movement in North India was impacted by groups like the Nathapanthis, emphasizing syncretism and a form of worship without attributes.
• Notable Saints: Some well-known Bhakti Saints included Ravidas, Kabir, Guru Nanak, and Mirabai.
• Religious Orders: Various religious orders like Chishti, Suhrawardi, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, and others emerged during this period.
• Practices: These saints emphasized collective prayers, chanting, contemplation, singing, and dancing, moving away from rituals and idol worship.

Understanding Bhakti and Sufi Movements

Saints of the Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti movement in South India was led by saints known as the Alvars and Nayanars. They taught people to show personal love and devotion to God as a path to finding salvation.

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Key Points

• Alvars and Nayanars: The Bhakti movement in South India was significantly influenced by the Alvars and Nayanars, who spread the message of personal devotion to God as the path to salvation. The Alvars were devotees of Vishnu, known as Vaishnavites, while the Nayanars were followers of Shiva, or Shaivites. This movement was inclusive, allowing both preachers and followers from any caste to participate.
• Adi Shankaracharya: Adi Shankaracharya, born into a devout yet impoverished Brahmana family in Kerala, is recognized as a pioneering Hindu philosopher who revisited and reformed early Vedic teachings. He propagated the doctrine of Advaita, which posits that the individual soul and the Supreme God are one, and he viewed the world as an illusion or maya. He also advocated renunciation of the world as a means to achieve salvation and established four monastic centers, or mathas, in Sringeri (Karnataka), Dwarka (Gujarat), Puri (Odisha), and Jyotirmath (Uttarakhand) to promote his philosophy.
• Ramanuja: Ramanuja, a Vaishnava saint born in Tamil Nadu in the 11th century, championed the equality of all human beings and opposed the exclusion of lower castes from temple entry. He taught the doctrine of Vishishtadvaita, or "qualified oneness," which holds that even when the soul unites with the Supreme God, it remains distinct.
• Virashaivas: The Virashaivas, or Lingayats, were Shaivite saints who promoted monotheism and rejected both the caste system and the authority of the Vedas. Basavanna, a social reformer, founded this movement, which welcomed people from diverse social backgrounds, including women.

Case Study: Basavanna (also Basava)

• Basavanna, also known as Basaveshwara, was a social reformer from Karnataka in the 12th century CE and the founder of the Vira Shaivism or Lingayat sect. His teachings were propagated by his followers, known as Sharanas, Shivasharanas, Virashaivas (heroic Shaivites), or Lingayats. Basavanna opposed temple worship, the belief in multiple gods, sacrificial rituals, ritualistic priesthoods, caste and gender discrimination, and the authority of the Vedas.
• He strongly believed in the equality of all human beings and rejected the caste system for promoting discrimination. Linga diksha, or initiation into Virashaivism, was a ritual that could be performed for both men and women. Basavanna was a firm believer in monotheism, recognizing only one God, Shiva, and he emphasized devotion to Shiva. He also advocated for people to carry out their duties and follow their vocations sincerely, thus promoting the dignity of labor. His teachings on monotheism, non-violence, and equality played a significant role in transforming the traditional society of his time.
• Basavanna established a culture of collective discussion through the Anubhava Mantapa, a discussion hall where men and women from all backgrounds were encouraged to discuss spiritual and worldly matters. He expressed his teachings through vachanas, short verse compositions in Kannada, filled with monotheistic ideas, humor, satire, and personal devotion to Shiva.
• Basavanna's Panchachara, or five codes of conduct, included:
  • Lingachara: Daily worship of Shiva in his lingam form.
  • Sadachara: Performing one's duties and following one's vocation with honesty.
  • Shivachara: Accepting Shiva as the only God and believing in the equality of all humans.
  • Bhrityachara: Showing humility towards everyone.
  • Ganachara: Defending the community of Virashaivas and its principles.
• In his vachanas, Basavanna often referred to Lord Shiva as Kudala Sangama Deva. One of his vachanas emphasizes that Lord Shiva values devotion above all else, stating, "They say Shiva loves music. No, he doesn't. Neither is he fond of music, nor is he fond of the Vedas. Our good Lord of Kudala Sangama is fond of devotion."

The Saints of Maharashtra

• The key Bhakti saints in Maharashtra included Jnaneshwar, Namadeva, Eknath, Sakku Bai, and Tukaram, all of whom were devotees of Lord Vitthala. Jnaneshwar is renowned for his Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, called Jnaneshwari. Namadeva and Tukaram were famous for their devotional poetry. 
• These Marathi poet-saints emphasized the concept of a personal God dwelling in the hearts of all people, rejecting rituals and social distinctions based on birth. They also dismissed the idea of renunciation, choosing instead to live with their families and earn their livelihood. They promoted a new humanist idea of sharing each other’s suffering.

Nathpanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis

• These groups used straightforward and logical arguments to challenge rituals and traditional religion. They believed in renouncing the world and prescribed practices like yoga postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to achieve oneness with a formless Ultimate Reality. They attracted a large following among the so-called 'lower castes'.

Ravidas

• Ravidas, a 15th-century cobbler by caste, was a socio-religious reformer, humanist, poet, and spiritual thinker. He believed that one's actions, rather than birth, defined a person. 
• He strongly opposed the practice of untouchability and advocated for the idea that God should be accessible to everyone.

Srimanta Sankardeva

• Srimanta Sankardeva was a prominent Bhakti saint from Assam in the 16th century, who founded the religious sect known as Mahapuruxiya Dharma. 
• He opposed the caste system and emphasized social unity. His verses celebrating the glory of Lord Krishna remain popular today, with the Kirtana-ghosha being his most renowned work. His writings, composed in simple language, reflect the essence of Bhakti.

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Kabir

• Kabir, one of the earliest and most influential Bhakti saints in North India, was born to a Hindu widow and raised in the home of a Muslim weaver, where he learned the weaving trade. Living in Varanasi, he interacted with both Hindu and Muslim saints. Kabir believed in one God, whom he called by various names like Govinda, Hari, Sain, Sahib, Allah, and Rama. 
• He opposed idol worship, rituals, and pilgrimages, rejecting all forms of discrimination as he believed in the equality of all human beings. Kabir denounced caste-based superstitions and the practice of untouchability, stressing that a person could be reformed under the guidance of a guru. His teachings, which promote humanity, reverence, peace, and love as essential to achieving unity with God, are encapsulated in his self-composed couplets known as dohas. The principal tenets of Kabir's teachings are compiled in the Bijak.

Case Study: Guru Nanak and Sikhism

• Guru Nanak's teachings laid the foundation for a new faith known as Sikhism, and his followers are called Sikhs, a term derived from the Sanskrit word shishya, meaning 'disciple.' Born in Talwandi, near Lahore (now in Pakistan) in 1469 CE, Guru Nanak composed hymns, which he sang accompanied by a stringed instrument called the rabab.
• Guru Nanak emphasized the belief in one God, the importance of a virtuous character and conduct, and the need for a guru or teacher. He strongly opposed idol worship and promoted the idea of liberation through an active life with a strong sense of social responsibility. He advocated for the equality of all people, regardless of their former creed, caste, or gender, by encouraging them to eat together in a communal kitchen called langar.
• The sacred space created by Guru Nanak, originally known as dharmshala, is now referred to as a gurdwara. Women were welcomed to attend his sermons alongside men, reflecting his progressive views on gender equality.

Female Bhakti-Saints

• Among the most renowned female poet-saints was Mirabai, who, despite being married to the Rana of Mewar, dedicated her life to the worship of Lord Krishna. 
• Her songs, composed to simple rhythms with a repeated refrain, are collected in the Padavali. Other notable female Bhakti-saints included Akka Mahadevi, Andal, Janabai, Gangasati, and Ratanbai, each contributing to the spiritual and devotional landscape of their time.

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Sufi Movement

The Sufi movement in India was a mystical aspect of Islam that started around the 11th century. It focused on connecting with God through prayer, meditation, and simple living. Sufism rejected complex rituals and emphasized self-discipline.

Key Points about the Sufi Movement

• Sufis believed in uniting with God through prayer and meditation, leading a humble and disciplined life.
• Sufi philosophy introduced new ideas like penance and believed in training the heart to see the world differently.
• Sufis interacted closely with people from all social classes.
• Sufis developed various methods like chanting, contemplation, music, dance, parables, and breath control under the guidance of a religious teacher.
• Devotional songs by Sufis, known as qawwali, remain popular.
• Disciples were called 'murids,' and they lived with their religious teacher, known as 'pir,' in places like khankahs, which evolved into monastic-like establishments.
• When a pir passed away, his grave became a pilgrimage site, and a disciple would be chosen as his successor to continue his teachings.
• Succession of pirs occurred through silsilahs or religious orders, each with its unique teaching methods and rituals.
• Major Sufi orders in India included Chishti, Suhrawardi, and Naqshbandi, with Chishti being highly influential.

Impact of Socio-Religious Movements on Indian Society

• India has a rich history of diverse cultures coexisting peacefully for centuries. The blending of different faiths, beliefs, and practices has led to the development of India's unique composite culture. 
• During medieval times, the Bhakti and Sufi movements emerged, focusing on devotion and love for God. These movements not only emphasized tolerance and non-violence but also contributed to the harmony among various communities. 
• The teachings of Bhakti and Sufi movements remain relevant today, emphasizing ideas such as universal brotherhood, rejection of the caste system, and the promotion of local languages. They also advocate for the equality of all individuals and the simplification of rituals. 
• Key Ideas: 
  • Unity among all people 
  • Opposition to the caste system 
  • Promotion of local languages 
  • Equality for everyone 
  • Simplicity in religious practices 
• The Sufi ceremony known as Sama involves activities like playing music, singing, reciting poetry and prayers, and wearing symbolic attire. It focuses on the human journey to seek God and cleanse the soul. 
• Rumi, a Sufi mystic saint, is credited with the origin of Sama. Between the 8th and 17th centuries CE, the fusion of different cultures and the rise of new religious ideas shaped the religious landscape of India, influencing beliefs, rituals, and practices of Hinduism and Islam.