Tag: bhakti movement : south and north india

The Sundar Vilas is a poetic verse written in Hindi by Dadu in 1887, this highlights the teachings of Dadu and his sect. Each verse narrates the sect's philosophy about some important aspect of human life and human society. The verses written in it are lyrical, fluent and communicative and propagates Indian spiritual values.

In the late fifteenth century, Sankaradeva emerged as one of the leading proponents of Vaishnavism in Assam. His teachings, often known as the Bhagavati dharma because they were based on the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. It focused on absolute surrender to the supreme deity, in this case, Lord Vishnu. 

The doctrine of the oneness of the individual soul and intense devotion or love towards the God was the the best means of attaining salvation.

Nayanars and Alvars saints belonged to South India. They led religious movement during the 7th to 9th century in South India. During this period in South India major dynasties were Pallavas, Pandyas, and Cholas.

Ramanuja was the Vaishnav saint of 12th century. He preached the Vishishtadvaita philosophy. Ramanuja gave stress on social equality. He denied caste based restriction on entering temples. His disciples Ramananda took his message to the northern parts of India.

Different saints of the north and south India had started a movement against the caste hierarchy, rituals, and blind faith. This movement is called the Bhakti movement. Saints of this movement stressed on equality. They said that 
God can be achieved through devotion and good deeds. Two forms of bhakti were introduced

Ramanuja, born in Tamil Nadu in the eleventh century, was deeply influenced by the Alvars. He propounded the doctrine of Vishishtadvaita or qualified oneness in that the soul, even when united with the Supreme God, remained distinct.

During medieval period discrimination on the basis of caste, sex, religion was at the boom. People believed in untouchability and to fulfil useless rituals.  Due to these practices, people were suffering and as a result different saints, poets and social reformers gave birth to the Bhakti movement. Though the ideology of different saints might differ yet they all were agreed on the following points

Shankara, one of the most influential philosophers of India, was born in Kerala in the eighth century. He was an advocate of Advaita or the doctrine of the oneness of the individual soul and the Supreme God which is the Ultimate Reality. 

Ramanand was born in Allahabad. He was a disciple of Ramanuja. He spread the message of devotion to Lord Rama. He challenged caste distinctions. He was against bad customs and ceremonies. He accepted his disciples without discrimination of caste, gender, religion, and birth.