Bhakti Movement – Rise and Impact on Society

Bhakti movement was an intellectual and religious movement in India during 14^th to 16^th century. It was a pan-India movement which was propagated by Bhakti saints throughout the length and breadth of country. It focused on the direct relation between devotee and God. This movement was basically focused on the revival of the good elements of the religions. The thoughts of Bhakti saints left a lasting effect on the life of common masses.

Also Read : Decline of Mughal Empire

18th Century – Debates on Its Characterization

Vedic Age – The Religious Life

Factors Responsible for the Rise and Popularity of Bhakti Movement

Bhakti movement represented the new ideas towards a better future but it could come at forefront only after the decline of Brahmanical dominance. Thus, it was a protest against the evils prevailing in the socio-economic and cultural life of peoples. The destruction of temples by Turkish invaders in India created need of a religion in which no need of temple or priest to pray. And the concept of Bhakti movement was also revolved around the idea of direct relationship between God and devotees.

The establishment of Islamic rule in India also threaten the existence of the Indian culture because Islam attracted untouchables and other lower section of the Indian society as Islam treated all men equals. Thus, Bhakti saints need to do something to counter these threats to their religion. But on the other hand, the egalitarian outlook of Islam left a positive impact on the Indian intellectuals like Guru Nanak, Kabir, Ravidas etc. thus, addition of these ideas also gave momentum to movement.

The Bhakti movement was also a reflection of inner vitality of Indian culture. Throughout the history of India, whenever Indian culture faced a serious challenge to its existence, the inner vitality inspired reform movements. For example, Bhagvatism in 4^th century BC. and Vaishnavism in 4^th century AD and Bhakti movement was another reflection of the same.

Nature and Character of Bhakti Movement

The ideas and teachings of the Bhakti saints like Kabir, Ramananda, Ravidas, Guru Nanak Dev etc. helped in the understanding of the nature and character of the Movement. It was a liberal movement as it raised voice against the evils prevailing in the Indian society and fought the liberty of individual. Bhakti saints were inspired by the better and brighter future and hence, they were progressive in nature.

Bhakti movement was assimilatory because the Bhakti saints adopted good elements from Islamic system as well. It was essentially a non-violent movement and they believed in peaceful co-existence. Tolerance and patience were the basic ideas of their philosophy. As we discussed earlier that it was non-discriminatory movement which condemned the practices like untouchability.

It focused on the virtue of rationality, logic and objectivity so that the evils like superstitions could be wipe out. The progress of mankind was the ultimate objective of the saints. It was characterized by the simplicity of ideas as it was free from any rituals and ceremonies. They believed in one supreme deity (Ekeshwarvad). The supreme deity could have a form (Saguna) and could be formless (Nirguna). It was nameless.

It was a mass movement because saints like Kabir, Ramananda, Guru Nanak and Ravidas had large number of followers. Vernacular languages were used by saints as the ideas could be propagated among the masses easily. Bhakti movement was essentially an ethical, moral movement and infused new energy in the life of people, institutions and practices.

Impact of Bhakti Movement

Bhakti saints fought against the prevailing evil practices like casteism, untouchability, superstitions, rituals and ceremonies. They tried to eliminated the role of priests. Although evil practices were not eliminated completely but their impact on the society was definitely get reduced. This helped in strengthening the ethical and moral foundation of the Indian socio-cultural.

The ideas and teachings of saints helped in tackling the challenges posed by the arrival of Islam. This movement helped in the growth of vernacular languages and literature and Bhakti saints himself contributed in poems and literature. For example, ideas and speeches of Kabir were compiled by his disciple in Bijak and Dasbodh was written by Guru Ramdas. The verses composed by Mira Bai were household phenomenon.

This movement helped in the upliftment of women and lower classes. They also contributed in the development of cultural activities like music as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was the originator of Kirtan. Guru Sankardev of Assam invented the dance of Sattriya. The liberal and progressive ideas also influenced the rulers like Akbar which was reflected in the policies of him. The emergence of composite culture helped in the intermixing of Indian and Islamic culture and that phenomenon came to known as Indo-Islamic culture.    

Thus, Bhakti movement played a significant role in the evolution of the Indian culture and society.