Page 43 - Journeys Through Society-7

6. Devotional Paths

to the Divine

Get Ready

What do you observe in the picture? Write a short note about it.
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During the medieval period in India, new religious heart and mind, devotion to one God (monotheism),
beliefs and cults, like Sikhism, the Bhakti movement freedom from all kinds of ritualism and preaching in
and Sufism, arose. On the other hand, there were the language of the common people.
efforts to reform the rigid caste-based Hinduism.
Saints and reformers, like Kabir, Nanak, and Mirabai, Wow Fact
and others, preached concepts like oneness of God There is a Hollywood film based on the
and equality among human beings. This made people Bhagavad Gita about a golfer and his
see things in a different light and also shaped the way mysterious caddy. Matt Damon plays R.
Junuh (Arjuna) while Will Smith plays Bagger
people thought. These new ideas affected the
Vance (Bhagavan).
religious ideologies beliefs rituals and cults of
Hinduism and Islam.
Development of Bhakti Movement in South India
Popular Beliefs during the Medieval Period
The greatest proponents of Bhakti in south India were
Some religious thinkers revived the idea of ‘Bhakti’ or the Nayanars (worshipers of Shiva) and the Alvars
devotion to God mentioned in ancient text such as the (worshipers of Vishnu). The Nayanars and the Alvars
Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas. There is also mention emphasised ardent love for Shiva and Vishnu as
of the three margas or paths for attainment of moksha means of attainment of salvation. Around 12 Alvars
or salvation, namely, the Gyan Marga (path of and 63 Nayanars started this movement in the Tamil
knowledge), Karma Marga (path of duty) and the region. They followed Saguna (believers of God with a
Bhakti Marga (path of devotion). form or image worship) or Nirguna (formless God)
Bhakti emphasised aspects like equality irrespective worship.
of caste, creed, colour, etc, the virtues of kindness of
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