Bhakti Movement

Origins: Began in South India (7th–9th century) with the Alvars (devotees of Vishnu; Andal was the only woman Alvar; Nammalvar) and the Nayanars (devotees of Shiva).
Philosophers: Shankaracharya (Advaita), Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita), Madhvacharya (Dvaita), Nimbarka (Dvaitadvaita), Vallabhacharya (Shuddhadvaita/Pushtimarg).
North India saints: Ramananda (Rama; disciples include Kabir, Ravidas), Kabir (nirguna; Bijak), Guru Nanak (founder of Sikhism), Tulsidas (Ramcharitmanas), Surdas (Sur Sagar), Mirabai (Krishna devotee), Chaitanya (Bengal; Gaudiya Vaishnavism; sankirtan).
Maharashtra (Varkari tradition): Jnaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, Tukaram, Ramdas; deity Vitthal of Pandharpur.
Assam: Shankaradeva (Ekasarana Dharma).
Two streams: Nirguna (formless God: Kabir, Nanak, Ravidas) and Saguna (God with form: Tulsidas, Surdas, Mirabai).
Key features: Emphasis on personal devotion; opposition to caste hierarchy, ritualism and idol worship (in nirguna strand); use of vernacular languages; guru-centred; singing of devotional songs.
Impact: Social reform and egalitarianism; growth of regional literature; Hindu–Muslim cultural synthesis.

Q1. The Alvars were devotees of: (a) Shiva (b) Vishnu (c) Shakti (d) Buddha Answer: (b). The Nayanars were Shiva devotees.

Q2. Who propounded Vishishtadvaita? (a) Shankaracharya (b) Ramanuja (c) Madhvacharya (d) Nimbarka Answer: (b).

Q3. Pushtimarg is associated with: (a) Chaitanya (b) Ramananda (c) Vallabhacharya (d) Tukaram Answer: (c).