Page 78 - SST Class 06

god. The path of Bhakti could be followed by from all evil. Slowly and gradually, this form of
anyone, irrespective of the fact whether he worship spread to different parts of the country
belonged to the rich or poor, the so called high or and people, realizing the worth of this kind of
low caste prevalent in the then existing society. Bhakti began to follow the path of Bhakti, as
Men or women or even children could follow the shown by Lord Krishna to Arjun.
path of Bhakti. In fact, anyone who wished to The followers of Bhakti system laid emphasis on
follow Bhakti, could do so on his/her own. the devotion and individual worship of a particu-

Bhagavad Gita, the sacred book of the Hindus, lar god or goddess rather than the performance
has the idea of Bhakti which is included in the of big and elaborate sacrifices which were being
Mahabharata. Lord Krishna tells Arjun, his friend offered to gods earlier. Those rites and rituals
and devotee, to leave all dharmas and to take were very difficult to follow, but Bhakti was a
refuge in Him because only he can set him free simpler path to follow.

A POEM BY BHAKTA Appar was a Vellala. He says, in his poem which

It is true that only the riches, learning and high goes like this:
status are not the steps to a close relationship ‘The leper, with rotting limbs,
with god or the chosen deity nor do they ensure The man who is regarded as low by the
a higher or closer position up the ladder of a Brahmin, even the scavenger
close relationship with god. It is not a confirmed Even these men, if they are servants (i.e., Shiva)
seat as told to all by the Bhakti preachers as well
Of him who shelter the Ganga in his long hair
as the Bhakti literature, found around in the
(i.e., Shiva)
world. A Tamil poet, ‘Appar’ has tried to put
I worship them, They are gods to me.’
forward his feelings about this fact in a few line
What does the poet regard as more valuable-
composed by him. He was a stout devotee of
social status or devotion?
Lord Shiva, who lived nearly 1,400 years ago.

The images of these special gods or deities were It is said that Bhakti was responsible for inspiring
placed within big temples which were also called some of the best expressions of man, in the field
special homes. We shall learn about them in of art such as sculpture. Poetry and architecture.
detail in the later chapters.

Terminology

Merchandise : goods to be bought and sold
Manuscript : an author’s handwritten text
Entrant : a person or group that enters or takes part in something
Enlightment : the state of being enlightened
To and fro : move constantly backwards and forwards
Capsize : be overturned in the water
Confine : keep or restrict someone or something within certain limits of
Porticoes : typically attached as a Porch to a building or a structure consisting of a roof supported
by columns at regular intervals

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