Bhakti: Devotion to Supreme God

• Bhakti is surrendering devotion to a personally conceived Supreme God, open to all regardless of social status
• Bhakti is rooted in the Bhagavad Gita
• Bhakti emphasizes devotion to deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, and Durga, who were worshipped through elaborate rituals
• Bhakti became a significant spiritual practice, transcending societal barriers and promoting a personal connection to the divine

The Idea of a Supreme God

• There was a belief in an eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which was influenced by one's actions
• Social privilege came from birth into a noble family
• This concept was deeply tied to the idea of karma and reincarnation in Hindu thought

Supreme Deities

• Shiva (Narayanars)
• Vishnu (Alwars)

Bhakti in South India

• influencing both spiritual and social spheres
• Sangam literature, Virashaivism by Basavanna, Sufism, and the broader Bhakti movement all contributed to the rise of thiIn South India, the Bhakti movement gained momentum between the 7th and 12th centuries CE, breaking down caste distinctions
• The Pulaiyars and Panars—who were considered untouchables—embraced Bhakti
• Bhakti was seen as a personal devotion to a Supreme God, and the practice became a means to attain salvation
• Bhakti evolved from a religious tradition into a popular movement, ins devotional path

Bhakti and Its Evolution

• Bhakti evolved as a powerful religious movement in South India that challenged established social norms
• Sangam Literature, Virashaivism (by Basavanna), Sufism, and the broader Bhakti movement all contributed to the rise of devotional practices that critiqued ritualistic practices and the social order

Basavanna's Virashaivism

• The Virashaivism movement, founded in Karnataka in the mid-12th century by Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, and Akkamahadevi, emphasized the equality of all human beings
• Virashaivism rejected the Brahmanical caste system and challenged the subordinate treatment of women, advocating for spiritual equality

Saints of Maharashtra

• Jnaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, Tukaram, Sakkubai, and Chokhamela were key figures in the Bhakti movement who centered their devotion around Vitthala, a form of Vishnu
• Many of these saints are from lower castes and rejected ritualism and the caste system, focusing on direct, personal devotion to the deity

Nathpanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis

• Several religious groups emerged, such as the Nathpanthis, Siddhcharas, and Yogis
• Nathpanthis, Siddhcharas, and Yogis criticized conventional religion's ritualistic practices and social order
• These groups used simple, logical arguments to challenge established norms, focusing instead on personal spiritual experience and direct devotion to the divine