PPT Cha-6 Bhakti Sufi Traditions (4).pptx

FOR HINDI TEACHERS

1. Bhakti - Sufi Traditions Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts(8 th to 18 th century) Dr. Ajit Kumar Bharti PGT History

2. Introduction to Bhakti & Sufi Traditions What are the sources to understand Bhakti and Sufi Traditions? Writers and sages throughout this era utilised a variety of written sources, including compositions attributed to poets and saints. Most of these were in local dialects. Often, these compositions were set to music and compiled by devotees or disciples after the musician or composer had died. Hagiographies written by the faithful are also referred to as source. Although these could not be considered literal truths.

3. India is a Mosaic of Religious Beliefs and Practices Integration of Various Cults There were two processes at work to integrate different cults: One was the process of disseminating ( Spred ) Brahmanical ideas. This is exemplified by the composition of Puranic texts in simple Sanskrit verse, meant to be accessible to women and Shudras . There was a second process at work that of the Brahmana accepting & reworking the beliefs and practices of Shudras .

4. *In fact, many beliefs and practices were shaped through a continuous dialogue between “great” Sanskritic Puranic traditions and “little” traditions throughout the land. *One of the most striking examples of this is in Puri , Orrisa , where Jagannatha , Lord of the World, a form of Vishnu, was identified as the main deity.

5. *Goddess cults are also showing signs of integration. Goddess worship was evidently widespread, often in the form of a stone-coloured with red and yellow mud. *Local deities were frequently incorporated into the Puranic framework by giving them the identity of a wife of the main male deities – Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu, or Parvati , the wife of Shiva, and Saraswati , the wife of Brahma, in some cases.

6. Difference & Conflicts between cults and traditions • Tantric Practices • Puranic Traditions • Vedic Traditions

7. * Q. Hagiography is a life story of a ……………. (a) religious leader or a saint (b) place (c) king or queen (d) common man

8. * Q. Prabhu Shree Jagannath is the incarnation of which God? (a) Vishnu (b) Shiva (c) Indra (d) Brahma

9. * * * Q. What are the three major cults and traditions of Hinduism?

10. Early Tradition of Bhakti in Tamil Nadu The Bhakti tradition is often classified into two broad categories: Saguna Nirguna .

11. The Saguna bhakti tradition focuses on the worship of specific deities such as Shiva, Vishnu & his avatars (In-carnations) and forms of the goddess or Devi. In anthropomorphic forms. Nirguna bhakti on the other hand was the worship of an abstract form of god.

12. The Alvars : Some of the earliest bhakti movements (c. sixth century) were led by the Alvars (literally, those who are “immersed” in devotion to Vishnu) and Nayanars (literally, leaders who were devotees of Shiva). They travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their gods. During their travels the Alvars and Nayanars identified certain shrines as abodes of their chosen deities. Very often large temples were later built at these sacred places. These developed as centres of pilgrimage.

13. Attitude Towards Caste • Alvars & Naynars initiated a movement against the caste system & Dominance of Brahmanas . • Many Bhakts joined from different social backgrounds like cultivators and even those who were considered untouchables. • They claimed that their compositions were as important as Vedas. The composition of Alvars , the Nalayira-Divyaprabandham was described as Tamil Veda. • Tevram was the composition of Nayanars .

14. Women Devotees This was the most striking feature of these traditions, which is the presence of women. The compositions of Andal , The women Alvar were widely sung and to be sung till date.   Andal saw herself as a beloved of Vishnu, in her versus she was expressed for her deity. Karaikkal Ammaiyar , a devotee of Shiva adopted a path of extreme asceticism in order to attain her goal. Her compositions were preserved with the Nayanar Traditions.

15. ** Q. The Bhakti tradition is often classified into which two broad categories? (a) Saguna & Nirguna (b) Vaishnav and Shaiva (c) Rama and Krishna (d) Tantric and Vedic

16. ** Q. Which among the following is considered as the Tamil Veda? (a) Nalayira Divyaprabandham (b) Manimekalai (c) Tirukkural (d) Tevram

17. * * * Q. Who is the female saint of Nayanar ?

18. Relation with the State Cholas, Pallavas & pandyas ruled South India. Buddhism & Jainism had been prevalent in this region for several centuries.

19. Alvars and Nayanars opposed Buddhism and Jainism through their hymns. This hostility was due to competition between religious traditions for royal patronage. Chola rulers supported Brahmanical and bhakti traditions, making land grants and constructing temples for Vishnu and Shiva. The most magnificent Shiva temples like Chidambaram , Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram , were constructed under the patronage of Chola rulers. In this period some of the most spectacular representations of Shiva in bronze sculpture were produced.

20. The Virashaiva Tradition in Karnataka This tradition was led by a Brahman named Basavana ; he was a Jain and a minister in the court of a Chalukya king.   The followers of Basavana were known as Virashaivas (Heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (Wearers of Linga ). They worship Shiva in his manifestation as a Linga , and men usually wear a small linga in a silver case on a loop strung over the left shoulder.

21. Those who were revered include the Jangama ( wandering monks).   Lingayats do not practice Cremation instead they bury their dead, as they believe the devotee will be united with Shiva after death.   The also challenged the idea of Caste and pollution attributed to certain groups by Brahmanas . The theory of rebirth was also questioned by Lingayats . This won them, followers, amongst those who were neglected by the Brahmans. The practice of post-puberty marriages and re-marriage of widows were encouraged. The understanding of Virashaivas traditions is derived from Vachanas , composed in Kannada.

22. Religious Ferment in North-India In north India deities such as Vishnu and Shiva were worshipped in temples, often built with the support of rulers. Historians have not found evidence of anything resembling the compositions of the Alvars and Nayanars . Several Rajput states emerged in North India. In most of these states, Brahmans were the dominant actors & were performing a range of secular and ritual functions.

23. Little attempts have been made to change the Brahmanical position, like Naths , Jogis & Siddhas. Many of them came from artisanal groups, including weavers, who had long-distance trade in Central Asia and West Asia. Many of the new religious leaders questioned the authority of the Vedas & expressed themselves. The religious leaders were not in the support to win the support of the rulers. The arrival of Turks and the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate undermined the power of many states and Brahmans who were associated with these kingdoms.

24. * Q. Who was the leader of the Virashaivas ? (a) Basavanna (b) Appar (c) Sambandar (d) Sundrar

25. * Q. Who do not practice Cremation ? (a) Lingayats (b) Alavars (c) Nayanars (d) Vaishnav

26. * * * * Q. Who were / are Naths ?

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