The Idea of a Supreme God and Bhakti
Notes
- Early Beliefs: Before big kingdoms were formed, different groups of people worshipped their own local gods and goddesses.
- New Ideas: As towns and trade grew, people started believing in reincarnation—the idea that living things are born and reborn many times based on their good or bad deeds.
- Social Inequality: Many believed that social status and "noble birth" were determined by the family or caste one was born into.
- Turning to New Teachings: Many people disliked these strict caste rules and turned to Buddhism and Jainism, which taught that people could break the cycle of rebirth through their own effort.
- The Supreme God: Some people were attracted to the idea of a Supreme God (like Shiva, Vishnu, or Durga). They believed this God could save them from the cycle of birth if they showed deep devotion.
- Bhakti: This path of deep, personal devotion is called Bhakti. It was open to everyone—rich or poor, "high" or "low" caste, man or woman.
- Puranic Influence: Local myths and legends became part of the Puranas. The Puranas taught that any devotee could receive God’s grace, regardless of their caste.
- The Bhagavad Gita: The idea of Bhakti is a central theme in the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu book.
- Spread of the Idea: The idea of Bhakti became so popular that even Buddhists and Jainas started adopting these beliefs.
Question and Answer Session
Q1: What did people believe about "rebirth" during this period?
A: People believed that all living things go through many cycles of birth and rebirth. Whether a person had a good or bad life depended on the deeds (karma) they performed in their previous lives.
Q2: Why did some people turn to Buddhism and Jainism?
A: Many people were unhappy with the idea that social privileges were decided by birth. They turned to Buddhism and Jainism because these religions taught that anyone could overcome social differences and break the cycle of rebirth through personal effort.
Q3: Who were the main deities (gods) worshipped as Supreme Gods?
A: The main deities were Shiva, Vishnu, and Durga.
Q4: What is "Bhakti"?
A: Bhakti is a person’s deep and loving devotion to their chosen God or Goddess. It is a path of worship that does not require elaborate status or wealth.
Q5: Who could follow the path of Bhakti?
A: Anyone could follow Bhakti. It was open to the rich and the poor, people from all castes ("high" or "low"), and both men and women.
Q6: What role did the Puranas play in spreading the idea of a Supreme God?
A: The Puranas included local myths and stories, making them part of religious teachings. They also stated that anyone, regardless of their caste, could receive the grace of God through devotion.
Q7: In which sacred book is the idea of Bhakti clearly present?
A: The idea of Bhakti is present in the Bhagavad Gita.
Q8: How did the growth of towns and trade affect religious ideas?
A: As towns and trade grew, people from different places met and shared ideas. This led to the development of new religious beliefs, like the idea of a Supreme God and the importance of personal devotion.
Bhakti in South India (Nayanars and Alvars)
Notes
- New Movements: Between the 7th and 9th centuries, new religious movements started in South India led by the Nayanars and Alvars.
- Who were they?
- Nayanars: Saints devoted to Shiva.
- Alvars: Saints devoted to Vishnu.
- All are Equal: These saints came from all backgrounds, including "untouchable" groups like the Pulaiyar and the Panars. They believed devotion was more important than caste.
- Teachings: They preached that intense love for Shiva or Vishnu was the path to salvation (freedom). They were critical of Buddhists and Jainas.
- Poetry and Music: They traveled from village to village, writing beautiful poems for the gods in local temples and setting them to music.
- The Nayanars: There were 63 Nayanars. Famous ones include Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, and Manikkavasagar. Their songs are in books called Tevaram and Tiruvacakam.
- The Alvars: There were 12 Alvars. Famous ones include Periyalvar, his daughter Andal, and Nammalvar. Their songs are collected in the Divya Prabandham.
- Temples and History: Between the 10th and 12th centuries, Chola and Pandya kings built grand temples at the shrines the saints visited.
- Hagiographies: People also wrote hagiographies (religious biographies or life stories) of these saints, which we use today to study history.
Question and Answer Session
Q1: Who were the Nayanars and the Alvars?
A: The Nayanars were saints devoted to Lord Shiva, and the Alvars were saints devoted to Lord Vishnu. They led the Bhakti movement in South India.
Q2: What was the social background of these saints?
A: They came from all parts of society, including potters, hunters, soldiers, Brahmanas, and even groups considered "untouchable" like the Pulaiyar and Panars.
Q3: What did the Nayanars and Alvars think about the caste system?
A: They ignored the caste system and believed that anyone, regardless of their birth or caste, could reach God through true love and devotion.
Q4: Name the two famous song compilations of the Nayanars.
A: The two sets of compilations are Tevaram and Tiruvacakam.
Q5: What is the name of the book where the Alvars' songs are collected?
A: Their songs are compiled in the Divya Prabandham.
Q6: What are "hagiographies"?
A: Hagiographies are religious biographies or stories written about the lives of saints.
Q7: How did the Chola and Pandya kings support the Bhakti tradition?
A: The kings built elaborate stone temples around the shrines that the saint-poets had visited. This made the link between temple worship and the Bhakti tradition stronger.
Q8: What literature influenced the Nayanars and Alvars?
A: They drew inspiration from Sangam literature, which is the earliest Tamil literature, and mixed its ideals of love and heroism with the values of Bhakti.
Philosophy and Bhakti
Notes
- Shankara (8th Century)
- Origin: He was born in Kerala in the eighth century.
- Advaita Doctrine: He taught the idea of Advaita, which means "oneness." This is the belief that the individual soul and the Supreme God are actually one and the same.
- Ultimate Reality: He called the Ultimate Reality Brahman. He taught that Brahman is formless and has no specific qualities.
- The World as Maya: Shankara believed the world around us is an illusion (Maya).
- Path to Salvation: He preached that people should give up worldly things (renunciation) and use the path of knowledge to understand the true nature of God.
- Ramanuja (11th Century)
- Origin: He was born in Tamil Nadu in the eleventh century.
- Influence: He was deeply influenced by the Alvars (the Vishnu-devoted saints).
- Devotion to Vishnu: He taught that the best way to reach God (salvation) was through intense devotion to Lord Vishnu.
- Vishistadvaita: He taught the doctrine of "qualified oneness." This means that even when the soul joins with God, it still remains distinct or separate in its own way.
- Legacy: Ramanuja’s ideas inspired a new wave of the Bhakti movement that later spread to North India.
Question and Answer Session
Q1: Where and when was Shankara born?
A: Shankara was born in Kerala during the eighth century.
Q2: What is the meaning of the doctrine of "Advaita"?
A: Advaita is the belief in the oneness of the individual soul and the Supreme God. It teaches that they are not separate but are the same Ultimate Reality.
Q3: How did Shankara describe the world we live in?
A: Shankara described the world as an illusion or Maya. He believed we should look beyond it to find the truth.
Q4: What path did Shankara suggest for attaining salvation?
A: He suggested the path of knowledge. He believed people should give up worldly desires (renunciation) to understand the true nature of Brahman.
Q5: Who influenced Ramanuja’s thinking?
A: Ramanuja was deeply influenced by the Alvars, the South Indian saints who were devoted to Lord Vishnu.
Q6: What was Ramanuja’s doctrine called, and what did it mean?
A: His doctrine was called Vishistadvaita (qualified oneness). It means that even after the soul unites with God, it remains distinct and does not completely merge into nothingness.
Q7: According to Ramanuja, how could a devotee attain salvation?
A: He believed that through intense devotion to Vishnu, a devotee could receive God's grace and attain the bliss of being united with Him.
Q8: What was the major difference between Shankara and Ramanuja?
A: Shankara focused on the path of knowledge and the idea that God is formless. Ramanuja focused on the path of devotion (Bhakti) and a personal relationship with Lord Vishnu.
Basavanna, Virashaivas & Saints of Maharashtra
Notes: Basavanna and the Virashaivas
- Origin: The Virashaiva movement started in Karnataka in the mid-twelfth century.
- Leaders: It was led by Basavanna and his companions, Allama Prabhu and Akkamahadevi.
- Equality: They fought for the equality of all human beings. They strongly spoke out against caste rules and the poor treatment of women.
- Simple Worship: They were against rituals and idol worship. Instead, they believed in a direct connection with God.
- Vachanas: These are sayings or poems written by these saints in simple language. Basavanna taught that your own body can be a temple for God, even if you are poor.
Notes: The Saints of Maharashtra
- Deity: These saints were devotees of Lord Vitthala (a form of Vishnu) in Pandharpur.
- Famous Saints: The most well-known were Jnaneshwar, Namadeva, Eknath, and Tukaram.
- The Varkari Sect: This movement emphasized an annual pilgrimage (a holy journey) to the temple at Pandharpur.
- Focus: This style of devotion was very popular among common people because it focused on love and simple faith rather than complex rituals.
Question and Answer Session
Q1: Where and when did the Virashaiva movement begin?
A: It began in Karnataka during the mid-twelfth century.
Q2: Who were the main leaders of the Virashaiva movement?
A: The main leaders were Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, and Akkamahadevi.
Q3: What were the main ideas the Virashaivas argued for?
A: They argued for the equality of all human beings. They were against the caste system, the mistreatment of women, and the use of idols or expensive rituals.
Q4: What is a "Vachana"?
A: A Vachana is a saying or a short poem. The Virashaiva saints used Vachanas to explain their ideas in a way that regular people could understand.
Q5: In his poem, what does Basavanna compare his body parts to?
A: Basavanna says that for a poor man, his legs are pillars, his body is the shrine, and his head is the golden top (cupola) of a temple. He is offering his own self as a temple to God.
Q6: Who was the main deity worshipped by the saints of Maharashtra?
A: They worshipped Lord Vitthala, who is a form of Lord Vishnu.
Q7: Name some famous poet-saints of the Maharashtra Bhakti movement.
A: Some famous saints were Jnaneshwar, Namadeva, Eknath, and Tukaram.
Q8: What is the "Varkari" sect?
A: The Varkari sect is a group of devotees in Maharashtra who emphasize an annual pilgrimage to the holy town of Pandharpur.
Q9: Why was the cult of Vitthala so popular?
A: It was popular because it focused on simple devotion that anyone could follow, and it brought people together through songs and shared journeys.
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