Expalain any two causes of the rise of bhakti movment
Answers
The literal meaning of Bhakti is devotion. But the Bhakti movement implied the movement which emphasized intense devotion to God.
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This devotion was expressed by a devotee through the repetition of the name of Almighty. The mode of expression was usually singing and dancing in the praise of God.
The saints of the Bhakti movement also emphasized that there was no distinction of class, colour, caste etc. All were equal. All had the right to salvation i.e. freedom from the cycle of births and deaths.
November | 2012 | The Hare Krishna Movement
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The saints of the Bhakti movement believed in leading a pure and simple life.
The saints emphasized that one need not go to pilgrimages to holy places for securing salvation.
Causes for the rise of the movement:
The Bhakti movement was the outcome of a number of causes. The root of the movement lay deep into the soil of India. There was nothing new in the bhakti cult, which did not already exist in India. The elements of the cult could be traced from the Vedas onwards.
Secondly the impact of the Muslim rule and Islam put dread in the heart of Hindu masses. The Hindus had suffered a lot under some of the fanatic rulers. They wanted some solace to heal their despairing hearts.
The bhakti movement brought them hope and support and inner strength to save Hinduism. The Sufi saints of the Muslim community also inspired the movement. Some similar chords in the two evoked resonance.
The Muslim society firmly believed in the unity of God, the equality and fraternity of mankind and complete surrender to God. It is a coincidence that the Hindu reformers and the mystic saints were also trying to stress these features besides others.
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Kabir’s (1425-1518) emphasis on Ram and Rahim: Unity of religions:
Kabir’s mission was to bridge the gulf between the Hindus and the Muslims and so he described himself “Kabir is the child of Allah and Ram.” “Hindus and Turks were pots of the same clay. Allah and Rama were but different names.” His God is the nirguna Supreme Being, the God of gods. He equated Rama with Rahim (the Merciful) and it went a long way to make the bhakti movement a unique religious experience.
Pure heart i.e. pure living:
To him, the prayers, pilgrimages and fasting of the Hindus as well as of the Muslims were equally mechanical. He was against idolatry, as he said, “If by worshipping stones one can find God, I shall worship a mountain.” To him what mattered was total absorption in the devotion to the Supreme with a pure heart. He was fond of oral teachings in the shape of couplets in Hindi which were later collected in the Bijaka (the Seed Book). The simple fine rhythm of these couplets helped their easy remembrance and great popularity.
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The essence of his teachings may be found in his couplets and poems like the following:
“Mo Ko Kahan dhunro bande…”
O Servant where dost thow seek me, Lo I am beside thee.
I am neither in temple nor in mosque…
If thou art a true seeker, thou shall at once see me…”
Kabir’s teachings may be summed up as:
(i) God is one but has different names
(ii) Devotion to God.
(iii) Harmony between the Hindus and the Muslims,
(iv) No caste system,
(v) Welfare of others
(vi) No lust for riches.
1. God is one and he alone should be worshipped
2. By following the path of true devotion or bhakti one can find salvination