WHAT IS BHAKTI

 Love and devotion with surrender and without any ego-attachment. It is called the path of
devotion and the ‘way of the heart’.
 The Bhakti path had been identified long back in the Vedanta and Upanishadic traditions of
Hinduism. At various points in history it saw revivals where saints emerged and made it
accessible and popular to the common people across social strata, including women. It
involves finding their individual connection with the divine.

Forms of Worship

 It is monotheistic in the sense that it believes that the ultimate God or spiritual being is one
irrespective of what name form and qualities different communities may give to it.

The Bhakti movement saw two ways of imagining the nature of the divine-
the Nirguna(formless/attributeless) and Saguna(embodied in form, attributes and quality)
o The Nirguna tradition maintains that the divine is essentially formless in nature. Hence it
advocates a heart-felt devotion to a God without attributes or personality
o The Saguna tradition, allows the worship of a human projection such as a deity or an
image or qualities- as a tangible channel for the ordinary person to access one’s
connection with the divine and offer one’s devotion

ABSORBTION WITHIN SOCIETY

 It bypassed traditional orthodoxy and power structures within the religion and gave the
common man an access to the spiritual insights from the Upanishads & Vedanta and allowed
them to form their personal connection and relationship with the divine
 The saints gave their message in local languages and the insights from ancient traditions
became accessible to the masses irrespective of religion, caste or economic status. It also
made the social outlook more open, inclusive and compassionate. It created a fabric of
compassion, love and tolerance which over centuries has made possible the concept of such
a diverse country like India. In the case of Kabir, it found a fresh meeting ground between
Hindu and Muslim religions where both could co-exist in harmony.
 It became popular as it was tuned into social context and needs of that time and made
accessible in a style and language which the common person could relate to, often using
inspiring poetry and songs.
 Practices emerged bringing new forms of spiritual leadership and social cohesion among the
medieval Hindus, such as community singing, chanting together of deity names, festivals,
pilgrimages. Many of these regional practices have survived into the modern era
 The Bhakti movement introduced new forms of voluntary social giving such as Seva (service
to others & to community), Dāna (charity), and community kitchens (Langars) with free
shared food. (concept introduced by Sikhism)
 Bhakti has been a "point of convergence" between Christian gospel tradition and the Hindu
devotional tradition. It has helped Indian Christians devote themselves to God as distinct
from his creation, and as a personal being to love, to expect grace from, through self-giving
devotion
Was it a rebellion or a reform movement?

 Earlier colonial thinkers saw it as a reform movement within Hinduism in opposition to

orthodoxy and power structures within the religion. Recent Scholars however see it more as
a re-emergence of the original insights and central themes of Upanishadic & Vedanta
traditions in a fresh and appealing way adapted to the new context -- while bypassing the
orthodoxy, regressive rituals and power structures that may have emerged over time. It
allows an individual to find their personal and intimate connect with the spiritual and
mystical beyond one’s own self. Scholars increasingly are dropping the earlier belief
(including Jayanti Sengupta’s viewpoint in the textbook) that the Bhakti movement was
some sort of a reform of orthodoxy. It did not seek to ‘fight’ anything nor did not receive any
opposition from the existing ruling class and got quickly absorbed across the social strata.
 The famous historian Sheldon Pollock writes that the Bhakti movement was neither a
rebellion against Brahmins and the upper castes nor a rebellion against the Sanskrit
language. Moreover many of the prominent thinkers and earliest champions of the Bhakti
movement were Brahmins and much of the early and later Bhakti poetry and literature was
in Sanskrit. He suggests that the roots and the nature of Bhakti movement to be primarily
spiritual and political quest instead of rebellion of some form.
************************************************************************
Ramananda – He was born in a Brahmin family and was influenced by the Vedanta and Vaishnav
philosophies. His disciples were from various strata of society and included Muslims as well. He was
opposed to meaningless rituals and encouraged inner reflection and introspection on the nature of
the Supreme (Brahman)

Kabir- He denounced the regressive rituals and through his Dohas(poetry) brought focus back on the
notion that all forms of worship eventually lead to one God, though his names may be many. He
encouraged surrender towards that being and compassion between others.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu- Follower of Vaishnava tradition who travelled widely and preached the
message of universal brotherhood. Being immersed in Love, devotion, song and dance one could
experience the divine.

Meera-Bai – A devotee of Krishna, through her Bhajans (devotional songs) she spread the message
of love for God. Her husband (crown prince of mewar) was killed in battle with the Delhi Sultanate
and her father & father-in-law in battle with Babur. She lived through a period of immense military
turmoil and overcame lot of hardships while staying devoted to her love for Krishna

Alwars&Nayanars of Tamil-Nadu- The Alwars popularised the Vaishnava(worship of Vishnu) path of

Bhakti, while the Nayanars popularised the Shaivaite(Shiva worship) path of Bhakti. The Bhakti
revival began in South India and slowly it spread across North India

Dnyneshwara-He was a saint from Maharashtra best known for Dnyneshwari which is an exposition
of the Bhagwad Gita for common people and his Abhangas(devotional songs). He followed the
Advaita Vedanta path of Bhakti, Yoga and the oneness of Vishnu and Shiva. He inspired other saints
such as Eknath and Tukaram and set the foundation for the Varkari (Vithoba bhakti) movement
Sikhism

Western scholars feel that Sikhism emerged from the Bhakti traditions of Hinduism
along with some Sufi influences; however Sikh scholars disagree and maintain that
it has an independent and different spiritual emergence

It evolved in a time of conflict and persecution by Mughals and emerged in

opposition to intolerance and a form of Islam which indulged in forced conversions.
Two of the Sikh gurus – Guru Arjan (1563–1605) and Guru Tegh Bahadur(1621–
1675) – were tortured and executed by the Mughal rulers after they refused to
convert to Islam.[

The persecution of Sikhs triggered the founding of the Khalsa as an order to protect
the freedom of conscience and religion,[26][28] with qualities of a "Sant-Sipāhī" –
a saint-soldier.[29][30] The Khalsa was founded by the last Sikh Guru, Guru
Gobind Singh.

Key aspects

 Monotheism-there is one ultimate God who is Nirankar(formless),

akal(timeless) and Alakh Niranjan(invisible). The most important form of
worship is Bhakti.
 The supreme purpose of human life is to reconnect with Akal(The Timeless
One), however, egotism is the biggest barrier in doing this
 Sikh ethics emphasize the congruence between spiritual development and
everyday moral conduct. spiritual life and secular householder life are
intertwined. everyday world is part of the Infinite Reality, increased spiritual
awareness leads to increased and vibrant participation in the everyday
world.Sikhs also carry 5 symbols –Kesh(hair), Kanga(comb), Kaccha(shorts),
Kirpan (sword) and Kada (steel bracelet).
 Guidance of the Guru who is a teacher, spiritual guide and mentor. The
word Sikh comes from the word for Disciple. The place of worship is a
Gurudwara (door to Guru)

Sufism

It also involves devotion towards the supreme which is formless. This emerged
through Islam. Modern scholars have used other definitions of Sufism such as
"intensification of Islamic faith and practice"[20] and "process of realizing ethical and
spiritual ideals".

Practitioners have held that Sufism is the strict emulation of the way of
Muhammad, through which the heart's connection to the Divine is strengthened.

It deals with the purification of the inner self. The inner law of Sufism consists of
rules about repentance from sin, the purging of contemptible qualities and evil
traits of character, and adornment with virtues and good character
Sufis also believe that it is possible to draw closer to God and to more fully embrace
the divine presence in this life.[81] The chief aim of all Sufis is to seek the pleasing of
God by working to restore within themselves the primordial state of fitra

As a mystic and ascetic aspect of Islam, it is considered as the part of Islamic

teaching that By focusing on the more spiritual aspects of religion, Sufis strive to
obtain direct experience of God by making use of "intuitive and emotional faculties"
that one must be trained to use.[53] Tasawwuf is regarded as a science of the soul
that has always been an integral part of Orthodox Islam

Is it a different sect?

Existing in both Sunni and Shia Islam, Sufism is not a distinct sect, as is
sometimes erroneously assumed (by Western Orientalists & Islamic
Fundamentalists), but a method of approaching or a way of understanding the
religion, which strives to take the regular practice of the religion to a higher level of
devotion.

To the Sufi, it is the transmission of divine light from the teacher's heart to the
heart of the student, rather than worldly knowledge, that allows the adept to
progress. They further believe that the teacher should attempt inerrantly to follow
the Divine Law. Devotion to Muhammad is an exceptionally strong practice within
Sufism.[92]Sufis have historically revered Muhammad as the prime personality of
spiritual greatness

It emerged in West Asia. In the eleventh-century, Sufism, which had previously

been a less "codified" trend in Islamic piety, began to be "ordered and crystallized"
into orders which have continued until the present day. Turkey and Persia together
have been a center for many Sufi lineages and orders. Sufism is popular in such
African countries as Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Senegal, where it is seen
as a mystical expression of Islam

In Indian subcontinent it blended with the local culture and took on values of
compassion, tolerance and openness to the divine irrespective of religion. In India
Sufism also influenced religions such as Sikhism in terms of the approach to the
divine and incorporating it into ones existing life
The framers of the constitution envisaged a Welfare State. In such a country, the state takes the
responsibility of providing employment, equal distribution of wealth and equality of opportunity for all.

This was the need of the hour given the condition of the country after over 200 years of oppressive British
rule. While the goals could not be achieved overnight, certain guidelines and principles (called Directive
Principles) were laid out to provide direction to the progress of the society and country.

The framers of the constitution were influenced by the Constitution of Ireland, the UN declaration of Human
Rights and Gandhian principles. Directive principles(unlike fundamental rights are non-justiciable). So while
the state makes an effort towards implementing them, the citizen cannot force their implementation by
going to the courts.

Economic Principles Gandhian Principles General Principles

 Fair & Equitable distribution of  Establish village  Promote international
wealth and material resources; Panchayats peace and security
resources should be used for  Maintain honourable
common good of all relations with other
countries
 Adequate means of livelihood  Promote cottage
for all industries in villages
 Right to work to reduce  Modernise agriculture
unemployment and animal husbandry
 Living wage for every worker to
provide for basic necessities
 Equal pay for equal work for
men and women
 Assistance for the old, sick,  Protect educational and  Provide legal aid to needy
people with special needs and economic interests of citizens so that justice is
unemployed SC,ST and weaker promoted
 Protection of children and sections  Protect the environment,
youth from exploitation  Prohibit slaughter of forests and wildlife
cows and cattle  Protect National
 Free and compulsory monuments and places of
education till age 14 National importance
 Decent Standard of living and  Prevent consumption of
leisure alcohol and other
harmful drugs
 Improve level of
Nutrition & health
A lot of progress has been made in the implementation of the Directive principles. It started with
agricultural reforms and abolishing Zamindari & achieving Local self government (Panchayati Raj). It
was followed by giving opportunities to the SCs, STs and backward classes. India has also made a lot
of progress in improving the literacy rate. However in the future some challenges remain...

1. Population has gone beyond 1.3 Bilion and generating employment for Youth is key
2. High Income inequality and tax evasion makes wealth redistribution difficult
3. Protection of Environment and Wildlife - overpopulation & human-animal conflict
4. Excessive populism and giving subsidies to get votes-erodes faith in the principles
5. Drug problem has resurfaced; mental health is an emerging challenge
6. Newer challenges in health-Heart Disease, Diabetes and newer diseases
7. Small farmers are in a bad condition and are moving out of agriculture