Bhakti Movement
Definition
The Bhakti Movement was a development in medieval India that emphasized love and devotion towards Hindu deities as a means to attain salvation.
Analogy
Imagine going to your favorite band's concert where you sing along passionately to every song. That's similar to what devotees in the Bhakti movement did – they expressed intense devotion towards their chosen deity through songs, prayers and rituals.
Related terms
Vaishnavism: This is one major tradition within Hinduism focused on Lord Vishnu (and his associated avatars) as the Supreme Being. It played an important role during Bhakti movement.
Sant Mat: This refers to a loosely associated group of teachers that became prominent in the Indian subcontinent from about the 13th century. Their teachings are a synthesis of Hinduism and Islam, but are based on inward loving devotion towards a divine principle.
Ramananda: A 14th-century Vaishnava devotional poet sant, in the bhakti movement, Ramananda is considered the pioneer of the Bhakti movement in northern India.
"Bhakti Movement" appears in:
Practice Questions (1)
- Which empire is known for its deeper connection between Islam and Hinduism leading to popular religious movements such as Sufism and the Bhakti Movement?
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