Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya and Bhakthi Movement:

Religion in India is more a direct experience than a code of conduct and

from an early age different systems of margas (paths) have been prescribed
for attaining the goal, variously called liberation, bliss and heaven. However
the different margas are not contradictory and in some respects they
supplemented each other; for example proficiency in Gnana-yoga,
Raja-yoga and Bhakthi-yoga are demanded from the highest Sadhakas
(devotees).

The word Bhakthi derived from the root bhaj by the application of the ktin
suffix, which expresses an action, and means among other things service,
devotion, attachment, loyalty and homage.

The Bhakthi movement of the Alwars derived an

impetus and momentum in the hands of Sri Ramanuja. SriVaishnavism is
one of the pre-eminent traditions of Hinduism. An unbroken lineage of
teachers (the Acharyas) and a wealth of literature in Tamil and Sanskrit and
the Vishistadvaitha philosophy form the backbone of the Sri Vaishnava sect
of Hindu religion.
Twelve Alwars lived their lives dedicated to expressing their devotion to
Maha Vishnu – considered to be the supreme manifestation of Divinity in
the Vaishnava system of beliefs. These saints composed verses in chaste
Tamil, and revitalized the spirit of the region, sparkling a renewal of
devotional worship in what is generally referred as Bhakthi Movement.

Sri Ramanuja was essentially a propagator of Bhakthimarga –quoting him,

“love and total surrender alone would be the only way to receive the grace of
God”.
Vaishnavism as a school of thought and religion is ancient. The original
bhakthi movement spread with vigour after the 10th century. It took religion
to the common man, to the lowest strata of society, those classes to whom
the highly formalized and Vedic religion was beyond reach. Hence Bhakthi
movement was also a social movement.

Bhakthi according to the Alwars is not confined to the worship of the image
in the temple or singing (devotional songs) but practicing in daily life the
principle of LOVE ALL and SERVE ALL. They practiced to the letter the
message as in Bhagavad Gita in the XII Chapter:
“Adveshta Sarva bhoothaanam Maithram Karuna evacha
Nirimamo nirahamkaarah Sama dukka Sukha Kshami

(It means) One who does not hate any species of creation, One who is kind
and compassionate, One who is humble, and treats joy and sorrow alike – he
alone is my dear devotee says Lord Krishna.

Basically Yakshagana – the folk drama of

Karnataka – is the product of Vaishnavite Bhakthimovement, and its origin
is connected with a wider historical situation. In order to propagate and
spread the message of devotion it adopted the existing folk as well classical
literary forms and performances. It created its own form. Most of the
traditional theatre forms are the results of this phenomenon.
Hence there are clear resemblances among the members of the
“Traditional Theatre Family” like Ankhia Nata (Assam), Jathra (Bengal),
Chau (Bihar, Bengal ), Prahlada Nata (Orissa), Veedhi Natakam and Chindu
(Andhra), Terukoothu and Bhagavata Mela (Tamilnadu), Kathakali (Kerala).
Harinama Sankeerthanam (Chanting of the name of God) also form part of
the Bhakthi Movement.

-Extract from the book –THE PATH OF RAMANUJA –

By Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran