Page 77 - SST Class 06

The Bhakti Movement

Usually it is accepted that the most characteristic
feature of the religious development during the
medieval period was the movement which
emphasised single-minded intense devotion to
God. It was a complete surrender of oneself to
God.
The movement which emphasised primarily
these ideas was the Bhakti movement—devotion
Nalanda University to God. Bhakti to God was accepted as salva-
like medicine, mathematics, grammar, besides tion.
religion and philosophy. Its medium of instruc-
tion was Sanskrit. It was, by and large, confined
to the upper sections of society. “The teachers
were men of the highest ability and talent. They
followed the teachings of Buddha in all sincerity.
The rules of the monastery were strict and
everyone had to followed them. The old and the
young help each other in the discussions that
were held throughout the day,” said Xuan Znag.
The candidates who came for admission had to
Bhakti Movement
undergo tough tests and were not generally able
The Beginning of Bhakti
to answer all the question. “Even the gatekeeper
asks new entrants, difficult questions,” Zang said. Deities like Shiv, Vishnu and goddesses such as
Durga, became central features of later Hinduism
After reading the above passage, what do you
gained importance in worship, during this time.
conclude?
The idea and felling of Bhakti which had become
BHAKTI
very popular during the period, was the only way
Further, it was explained that the word, Bhakti
in which these deities were worshipped. Let’s
came from a Sanskrit term ‘Bhaj’ meaning to
now come to understand the term Bhakti.
divide or share. This suggests an intimate, two
Bhakti, in simple language, is understood as a
ways relationship between the devotee and the
person’s devotion to his or her chosen deity or
deity. And if worshipped with a pure heart and
real felling, no one could come between the two
– devotee and deity. Bhakti is directed towards
Bhagavad, which is thought to be interpreted as
god, but it also means one who possesses and
shares ‘bhaha’ meaning good fortune or bliss. It
is also said that the ‘deity and devoted’ both
share his or her chosen duty’s bhaga. It is also
known as the Bhakta and the Bhagwat’s, rela-
tion.
Vishnu, Krishna and Lord Shiva
Social Science-6 77