The Bhakti movement centered around the worship of Rama and Krishna, incarnations of Vishnu.
- The Bhakti movement in north India developed around the worship of Rama and Krishna, incarnations of Vishnu.
- The childhood escapades of the boy Krishna and his dalliance with the milk-maids of Gokul, especially with Radha, became the themes of a remarkable series of saint-poets who lived and preached during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.
- These poets used the love between Radha and Krishna in an allegorical manner to depict the relationship of love between the individual soul and the supreme soul.
Saint-Poets
- Saint-poets such as Narsinha Mehta in Gujarat, Meera in Rajasthan, Surdas in western Uttar Pradesh, and Chaitanya in Bengal and Orissa preached and popularized devotion to Krishna.
- Chaitanya popularized musical gatherings or kirtans as a form of mystic experience where the outside world disappeared by dwelling on God's name.
- According to Chaitanya, worship consisted of love, devotion, song, and dance which produced a state of ecstasy and realization of God's presence.
- Writings of these saint-poets transcended caste and creed, welcoming all into their fold.
- Chaitanya's influence was profound, especially in eastern India, attracting followers from diverse backgrounds, including Muslims and people from low castes.
Inclusiveness and Philosophical Beliefs
- Chaitanya did not reject the scriptures or idol-worship, though he cannot be classified as a traditionalist.
- Their philosophical beliefs were influenced by Vedantic monism, emphasizing the unity of God and the created world, notably influenced by Vallabha, a Tailang Brahman.
- The saint-poets' approach was broadly humanistic, emphasizing the sentiments of love and beauty in all their forms.
- Despite their efforts, they did not effectively breach the caste system, but they softened its rigidity and promoted a platform for broader unity.
Humanistic Approach
- Their approach was broadly humanistic, focusing on sentiments of love and beauty.
- Despite their efforts, the saint-poets did not effectively breach the caste system, but they softened its rigidity and promoted a platform for broader unity.
Influence of Sufi Mysticism
- The Bhakti movement found resonance with Sufi mysticism, particularly the monistic ideas of the great Arab philosopher, Ibn-i-Arabi, and his concept of the Unity of Being (Tauhid-i-Wajud).
- Sufi poets and saints, influenced by Bhakti songs and ideas, helped create a common platform for inter-religious understanding during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.
- During the fifteenth century, the monistic ideas of Ibn-i-Arabi became popular among broad sections in India.
- Arabi's doctrine of Unity of Being is known as Tauhid-i-Wajud, which points that all beings are essentially one, and everything is a manifestation of the divine substance.
- The Indian Sufis started taking more interest in Sanskrit and Hindi, with some, including Malik Muhammad Jaisi, composing works in Hindi.
- The Bhakti songs of the Vaishnavite saints written in Hindi and other languages touched the hearts of the Sufis more than Persian poetry did.
- Abdul Wahid Bilgrami wrote a treatise, Haqaiq-i-Hindi, explaining Sufi mystic terms using Hindi words like 'Krishna', 'Murli', 'Gopis', 'Radha', 'Yamuna', etc.
