Ch -8 Devotional Paths To The Divine (Part 1)

The intense devotion or love of God that we witness today, has its roots in the various kinds of Bhakti & Sufi movements that evolved since the eighth century.

The Idea Of A Supreme God

• Earlier, different groups of people used to worship their own gods and goddesses.
• New ideas of religion emerged with the emergence of large kingdoms and empires.
• The new belief that social status and privileges came from birth in “noble” family, gained popularity.
• Many people were unhappy with such ideas and turned to Buddhism and Jainism.
• Others were attracted to the idea of Supreme God who could deliver humans from bondage of life and death, if approached with devotion.
• Eventually, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Durga were identified as supreme gods and goddess.
• The local myths and legends became a part of Puranic stories and later Puranas laid down that people of all castes can receive the grade of God.

Nayanars & Alvars

• New religious movements by Nayanars (saints devoted to Lord Shiva) and Alvars (saints devoted to Lord Vishnu) emerged during the seventh to ninth centuries.
• These saints came from all castes.
• They travelled from place to place composing exquisite poems in praise of deities enshrined in the villages.
• They preached the ardent love of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu as the path to salvation.
• Some of the famous Nayanars were Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkavasagar.
• The two sets of compilations of songs of Nayanars are Tevaram and Tiruvacakam.
• Some of the famous Alvars were Periyalvar, his daughter Andal, Tandaradippodi Alvar and Nammalvar.
• The songs of Alvars were compiled in the Divya Prabandham.
• During this time, Chola kings built elaborate temples to show connection between bhakti and temple worship.

Shankaracharya

• He was born in Kerala in the eight century.
• He was an advocate of Advaita or the doctrine of the oneness of the individual soul and the supreme God.
• He taught that Brahma was the only Ultimate Reality, everything else in the world was maya or illusion.
• He preached about renunciation of world in order to follow the path of Brahma and salvation.

Ramanujan

• He was born in Tamil Nadu in the eleventh century.
• He was deeply influenced by Alvars.
• He preached that intense devotion to Lord Vishnu may lead one to salvation.
• He propounded the doctrine of Vishishtadvaita (the soul remains distinct even when it is united with the Supreme God).
• This doctrine of Ramanuja gained popularity especially in North India.

Virashaiva Movement

• This movement was initiated by Basavanna and his companions like Allama Prabhu and Akkamahadevi.
• It began in Karnataka in the mid-twelfth century.
• They preached about equality of all human beings.
• They were against the Brahmanical ideas about caste and treatment of women.
• They opposed idol worship and other rituals.

Saints Of Maharashtra

• Many saint-poets emerged in Maharashtra from thirteenth to seventeenth century.
• Some of the famous saints were Janeshwar, Namdev, Eknath, Tukaram, Sakkubai and the family of Chokhamela.
• They believed in the notion of personal god residing in the hearts of all people.
• They rejected all forms of ritualism, outward display of piety and social differences based on birth.
• They believed in living with their families and helping fellow human beings instead of renouncing the world.
• They insisted that bhakti lay in sharing other’s pain.

Nathpanthis, Siddhas And Yogis

• They preached about renunciation of the world.
• They advocated intense training of mind and body through yogasanas, breathing exercises and meditation, in order to achieve oneness with the Ultimate Reality and salvation.