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The Bhakti Saints

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Bhakti initially flourished in South India through the great Vaishnava saints known as the twelve

Concepts

Alvars (6th9th centuries). Shaivism also has its bhakti traditions and during roughly the same

Practice

period 63 Nayanars (bhakti poets) wrote songs that now form the twelve books of the

Lifestyle
Tradition
Historical Perspective
Doctrine and Scripture
Movements and Leaders
The Four Main
Denominations
Vaishnavism
Shaivism

Tirumurai. Shortly after, and especially from 1500 CE onwards, a great devotional renaissance
swept through the entire sub-continent. The bhakti saints largely rejected the hereditary caste
system and its emphasis on prescribed ritual, stressing instead the need for morality, purity of
heart and an attitude of selfless service. They expressed their sentiments through song, poetry
and music, often attracting thousands of followers. Their preference for the spirit of the law
rather than its letter enabled many followers of apparently lower birth to participate. These
include a number of famous women saints. The considerable influence of the bhakti saints
continues up to the present time.

Kabir (14401518)

Shaktism
The Smarta Tradition

He is famous for his songs and poems used by Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims alike. His followers

Founders and Theologians

are called the Kabir Panthis.

The Bhakti Saints

The Reform Movements

Surdas (14791584)

Socio-Political Movements

Born blind, he became renowned for his beautiful songs glorifying Krishna. He was a follower of

Recent Spiritual and Cultural

Vallabha.

Leaders
Modern Hindu Groups and
Leaders
Famous Women within
Hinduism
Hinduism in Britain Today

Extras

Vallabha (14811533)
A brahmana from Telegu, he founded the Pushti-Marg (path of nourishment), which affirms the
role of grace in reaching salvation. He taught that sannyasa is not possible in the current age.
There are a good number of his Gujarati followers in the UK.

Chaitanya (14861534)
Founder of Bengali Vaishnavism, whose followers
express devotion through singing and dancing. He
was later considered a dual avatar of Radha and
Krishna. His influence still extends through various
groups including the Hare Krishna movement.

Tulsidas (15111637)
He wrote the popular version of the Ramayana

Chaitanya and his followers displayed symptoms of

ecstasy as they sang and danced in praise of Krishna.

known as the Rama Carita Manas perhaps the most popular book of North India.

Mirabhai (15471614)
Possibly the most famous woman saint within Hinduism (see Famous Hindu Women). She was
a Rajasthani princess who considered Krishna her real husband and was consequently
persecuted by her own family. Her songs and poems are still recited by Krishna devotees.

Tukarama (16081649)

A saint from Western India who worshipped the famous deity of Vishnu known as Vitthala (or
Vitobha) in Pandhapur, Maharastra. He was part of an important Vaishnava tradition known as
Dasa Kuta and which is still influential today. Other poet saints such as Namdev (12701350)
also came in this line.

Common Misunderstanding
The bhakti traditions are for emotional and sentimental people and place little
emphasis on philosophy
Not true. Many bhakti traditions, for example those connected with Chaitanya (above) and
Vallabha, have developed highly sophisticated theologies, emphasising both knowledge and
devotion. Devotion without wisdom is considered of a lower order.

Quote
"My dear Lord, when will my eyes be beautified by filling with tears that constantly glide down
as I chant your holy name? When will my voice falter and all the hairs on my body stand erect
in transcendental happiness as I chant your holy name?"
Chaitanya

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