HISTORY

BHAKTHI AND SUFI MOVEMENT IN KARNATAKA

TUTORIAL - 1

SUBMITTED TO: M/s VASANTHALAXMI GAJJALA

DESIGNATION: HISTORY GUEST LECTURER

SYMBIOSIS LAW HYDERABAD

SUBMITTED BY
AKSHARA P KAMATH
19010323012, DIV: A
Introduction

In the medieval period, religion provided the frame work of society at the community and state
levels. The state allowed intellectual activity to grown to begin with, but later curtailed it for
reasons of state policy, even though confined to discrete groups and made subject of
philosophical reasoning and logical disputation. As a result, religions failed to play the role of
bringing about a harmonious process of living people therefore, had to develop their own
beliefs and practices. Sufi and Bhakti represented people's revolt against the ossified practices,
in search of, and as an endeavour to bring harmony in life. Sufism played the most important
role in working out the great synthesis.

Bhakti movement

It was a social and reformative movement initiated by Hinduism which brought harmony and
relationships between Hindus and Muslims. The progress of the Bhakti cult in Southern part of
India in 7 th and 8 th century to bridge the gulf between Shaivas and Vaishnavas. It witnessed
intensive personal devotion in terms complete sacrifice to God. It was believed that in the unity
of God, brotherhood of man and equality in all religions. The roots of the Bhakti can be traced
back to the Upanishads, Puranas and the Bhagavad Gita. Shri Adi Shankaracharya is the
principal exponent of this movement. When Islam came to India the necessity of making
Hinduism a superior force was felt in the society perhaps, due to its contradicting principles
like Monotheism, equality in status posed a threat to Hinduism where they were suffering from
ritualism, rigid caste system, untouchability and multiplicity of gods and goddesses. Most of
the people started to be get converted to Islam at this time the Bhakti Movement emerged.

The main features of the Bhakti Movement are its proponents preached the Unity of the God-
Head and emphasized that devotion to god and faith in him led to salvation. It also laid stress
on equality of all human beings and universal brotherhood. The other tenets of Bhakti Cult
were purity of heart and honesty. These characteristics of this cult had many similarities with
Sufism. The impact of Bhakti movement redefined faiths as it gained popularity among the
masses as the teachings were preached through popular languages in the form of hymns later
to folk songs.
The important leaders of the Bhakti movement were Tukaram, Ramdas, Eknath, Varman Pandit
were prominent in mobilizing the masses.

Sufi movement

The term Sufi derived from Arabic word Safa which has two distinct meaning - One who wear
woollen clothes; and Symbolises purity and sacredness. The Sufi Mysticism is associated with
the liberal interpretation of Quran called Tarikat. Shariat is the conservative interpretation of
Quran. It is believed that Haq (God) and Khalaq (Soul) are the same.

• Synthesises variety of ideas and practices from Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism and
Zoroastrianism.

• It aimed at service of mankind through spiritual self-development

• Eager for Hindu-Muslim unity and cultural synthesis

• Opposed to orthodoxy preached faith and devotion to the God.

• Opposes the materialistic life but not in favour of complete renunciation.

• Organised in different orders (Silsilas)

• The Sufi orders were divided into two: Ba-shara those who followed the Islamic law; and Be-
shara those who were not bound by Islamic law.

Similarities in Sufi and Bhakti movements

Both these movements were popular among the people as their compositions were composed
in local languages. Hindus and Muslims were regarded as the children of god which signifies
no difference between these two sects. Both of them have pilgrimages in tombs and worked
with common notion of serving poor and helpless people.

Impact of Bhakti Movement in Karnataka

It is a critical component of the development in Karnataka that it started as a socio-political

movement as it was religious. Basavanna, Allamaprabhu, Akkamahadevi and Siddarama the
pioneers of this development had an entourage of adherents who belonged to different sections
and castes of the society that were then viewed as modest.

Another significant gathering that proliferated Bhakti in Karnataka consists of Haridasas who
were votaries of the Dwaitha religion introduced by Madhvacharya. The Dasakuta segment of
this school lead by Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa have lectured the fundamentals of Bhakti
inside the parameters of their philosophical convictions. Their Keerthanas were very effective
in merging of writing and music in the administration of Bhakti. Here again Sanskrit was
pushed to the foundation. Some of the devotional lyrics by these savants and their successors
have enduring merits.

Mathas (The Centers of institutionalized religion and stations) have played a double job with
regards to these developments. From one perspective they have gotten solid replies by the main
lights of the development for being excessively unbending. Then again, the Mathas have
appropriated the movement and its writing and regarding them as their own.

Another aspect of Bhakti movement in Karnataka as else where is the large scale participation
the devotees belonging to the backward and oppressed classes. Some of our oral folk epics such
as ‘Male Madeshvara Kavya’ and ‘Manteswamy Kavya’ have furthered the cause of Bhakti in
their own unique way. They are essentially the body of devotional writings created with Dalits
and villagers at the centre stage. Veerashava saints such as Nijagunashivayogi, Muppina
Shadakshari, Sarpabhushan Shivayogi etc have furthered this movement by their songs and
lifestyle. This tradition was later encouraged by saints such as Shishunala Sharif, Kadakola
Madivalappa, Nagalinga Yogi and Kaivara Naranappa. Their compositions are called ‘Tattvada
Padagalu’(Philosophical songs. They and their ilk continue to yield a considerable influence
even to this day.

Bhakti, as a pathway to God finds many a supporter even in these days of uncertainty and
rationality