Page 96 - SST Class 07

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Reaching God Through

Devotion

After the arrival of Islam in India, some changes rituals and ceremonies. People from any caste,
can be seen in religious practice as well. Religious including the untouchables could join the move-
ideas (especially Hindu and Muslim religions) ment. They preached in the local language so
were exchanged. However, in context of religious that they could communicate with the common
trends, the following two movements are the people. They sang devotional songs in praise of
most noticeable : the deity which touched the hearts of one and

g Bhakti Movement all.
g Sufi Movement There were other great religious teachers of
South India. Among them, was Shankara who
BHAKTI MOVEMENT IN SOUTH INDIA
was born in Kerala and who preached the
During the seventh century, Bhakti Movement
oneness of the individual and the Supreme God.
evolved in the south part of the country (espe-
This is known as the Advaita Philosophy. He
cially in the Tamil speaking regions). Over a
taught that only by attaining complete knowl-
period of time, it spread in all the directions.
edge, one could understand the true nature of
It was spread by the Alvars who worshipped
the God and the Universe. Shankara (also known
Vishnu and the Nayanars who worshipped
as Shankaracharya) established four Mathas or
Shiva. The Bhakti Movement rejected caste
centers of learning and worship at Badrinath,
system. They believed that God can be reached
Puri, Dwaraka and Shringeri. These Mathas have
only through true love, devotion and complete grown into important pilgrimage centres.
self-surrender.
Teachings of the Bhakti Saints
They disregarded the rigidities of the caste
g Selfless love and devotion are the means to
system and carried their message of love and
come close to the God. Purity of heart and
personal devotion to the God to various parts of
mind is important. Closeness to the God
South India by using the local language – Tamil
cannot be found through ceremonies, rituals
and Telugu.
and sacrifices or by giving up the world.
The Alvars and Nayanars reached out to people
of all castes and classes including artisans cultiva-
tors an even the people who were regarded as
untouchables. The Alvars and Nayanars attracted
many female devotees. These women devotees
were courageous enough to challenge rigid social
norms and become a part of these Bhakti
Movements.
Bhakti saints like the Alvars and Nayanars gave
no importance to expensive and complicated Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

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