Bhakti movement and Sufi movement

Question 1

Sufi movement (Intro)

Answer 1

1. Sufism was a liberal movement within Islam and is better known as tasawwuf.
2. It stresses on self realisation, tolerance, righteousness and universal love for all.
3. While orthodox Muslims emphasize external conduct, the Sufis lay stress on inner purity.
4. Sufi saints such as Moinuddin Chisti, Nizamuddin Auliya, Fariduddin Ganj E Shakar were the pioneer Sufis who are still loved, respected and honoured in India.

Question 2

Important Features Sufism

Answer 2

1. The Sufies were very liberal in their religious outlook.
2. They believed in the essential unity of all religions. Even today, Dargahs of Sufi Saints are visited by both Hindus and Muslims. It played a key role in bringing the Hindu and Muslim communities together.
3. The Sufis rejected the elaborate rituals and code of behaviour demanded of Orthodox Muslim scholars.
4. The Sufies tried to purify their inner self by rigid introspection and mental struggle so as to remove even the smallest of sign of selfishness and attain ikhlas (absolute purity of intention and act).
5. They took ideas not only from Quran, but also from Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity etc.
6. In the later period, Akbar appreiciated Sufi doctrines which shaped his religous outlook and religious policies.
7. They preached spirituality through music and doctrines that professed union with God. Their musical gatherings were called Sama.
8. Sufis composed poems and a rich literature in prose, including anecdotes and fables, developed around them. The most notable writes of this period was Amir Khusrao, the follower of Nizamuddin Auliya.

Question 3

Sufism and music

Answer 3

1. Sufism encourages musicas a way of deepening ones relation with God, remembereing God by zikr (reciting name), same or performance of mystical music.
2. Reach to masses : Music as a way of worship, got greater acceptance, even among orthodox sects. many women too were able to enjoy and contribute to Sufi music
3. Instruments - Sufi saints are credited with invention of Sitar and Tabla.
4. Style - It contributed to evolution of classical music. Khayal style ower a lot to Sufism.
5. Linguistic richness - Before prayers, verses etc were usually in elite class languages. As Sufi Saints came from different classes and linguisitic groups, they contributed to music in their respective dialects.
6. Communication - Music became a mean for Sufi Saints to convey their teachings to common masses.
7. Spread - With its simple to understand ideas presented throught music, Sufism became popular among masses and allower fora fusion with Bhakti prayers too.
8. Patronisation - Sufi singers were patronised by elite class which also served as a means of their sustenance.
9. Thus, music and Sufism evolved with each other and became inseperable from each other in coming centuries.

Question 4

Bhakti movement origin

Answer 4

1. The Bhakti movement originated in the Southern parts of India, especially Tamil Nadu between 6th and 10th century AD.
2. It slowly perlocated to the Northern belts by the end of 15th Century.

Question 5

Main Features of Bhakti Movement

Answer 5

1. Intense love and devotion as the means of salvation - most of their poetries were focused on the love between the devotee and God.
2. Unity of God (universalism) and repeating the one true name again and again.
3. Rejection of rituals and ceremonies. - Presence of a priest was not required in Bhakti tradition.
4. They disregarded the austerities preached by Buddhism and Jainism.
5. No caste discrimination and keeping an open mind on religious and gender issues. They condemned woman infanticide and Sati practice.
6. They spoke and wrote in vernaculars like Tamil and Telugu so that the common People could easily read and recite it.
7. They stressed on the idea of a personal God.
8. Need of a true Guru (teacher) to realise God.
9. They propogated equality and spirit of brotherhood like Sufis.
10. They despised priests who they thought were middlemen and instead focused on establishing a personal connection with God.

Question 6

The two schools of Bhakti - Nirguna School

Answer 6

1. The Bhakti saints were divied into two schools depending on the way they imagined God.
2. One school of thought imagined God as formless with no attributes or quality. This school is Nirguna School.
3. They are more focused on acquiring knowledge. They rejected the scriptures and condemned every form of idol worship.
4. The prominent figures of this school of thought were Kabir, Guru Nanak and Dadu Dayal.

Question 7

Two schools of Bhakti - Saguna School

Answer 7

1. On the other hand, the Saguna school of thought of God as having a definite form, quality and positive attributes and the God manifiests himself in incarnations such as Rama and Krishna.
2. His spirit is to be found in the idols and images worshipped at home and it temples.
3. The Saguna school emphasised on love and devotion. They accepted the spiritual authority of Vedas and the need of a human Guru as mediator between God and his devotee.
4. Ramanuja, Ramananda and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu belonged to this school of thought.

Question 8

Bhakti Saints - Narsinh Mehta

Answer 8

1. He was a prominent Bhakti Saint - poet of 15th century AD, Gujarat.
2. He belonged to Vaishnava sect with an expertise in Vaishnava poetry.
3. He has a great contribution to Gujarati literature and his famous bhajan ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ was Mahatma Gandhi’s one of teh favourites.
4. He was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. He wrote many bhajans and aarties for Lord Krishna and they are published in many books.
5. He is famous for his great literary works. They are called ‘Pada Verse’, ‘Aankhyan’ and ‘Prabhatiya’.
6. Narsinh Mehta is also referred to as Adikavi.

Question 9

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Answer 9

1. He is a Bengali Hindu saint of 15th Century AD.
2. He is the chief proponent of the Achintya Bheda Abheda and Gaudiya Vaisnavism tradition.
3. Being a prominent Saguna Saint, he also expounded the Vaishnava school of Bhakti yoga and was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna.
4. He popularised Kirtans (religious songs) as a form of worship to Krishna.
5. ISKCON has taken its inspiration from his teachings.
6. He wrote a text ‘Sikastakam’ which is a Gaudiya vaishnava prayer in 8 verses.

Question 10

Essential features of Sufism

Answer 10

1. Sufism strictly follows the concept of pir murshidie (similar to Guru Shisya tradition).
2. The ultimate goal of Sufism is Union with God.
3. According to Sufism, Love of God meant towards humanity and they believe service to humanity equals service to God.
4. Sufism inculcated a spirit of tolerance among its followers.
5. Essential characteristics of Sufism are -
   * Fana - Spiritual merger of devotee with Allah
   * Insan E Kamil - Perfect human with all good virtues
   * Zikr Tauba - Remembrance of God all the time (zikr)
   * Wahadat Ul Wajood - One God for entire Universe, unity of God and well being.
   * Sama - Spiritual dance and music to promote their concepts, though music is un Islamic.
   * They rejected elaborate rituals but didnt promote strict ascetisicsm like the Bhakti Saints.