“Though devotional in essence, the Bhakti Movement carried a deeply reformist tone.” Critically examine the role of the Bhakti Movement in challenging caste-based discrimination in Indian society.

Answer: 

Approach to the answer:

Recognizing how the response is structured: There is only one portion to the question. You must discuss the ways in which the Bhakti movement and its saints have critiqued it. 

• For Example: In Southern India, the Bhakti movement began in the 7th century CE. It alludes to a devotional submission to a Supreme God who is personally imagined. Only nirguna Bhakti saints like Kabir and Nanak vehemently criticized the caste system, despite the fact that it was criticized.

Overview: 

Give a succinct overview of the Bhakti movement and Provide a synopsis of the Bhakti movement’s development.  

Body: 

You must discuss how different Bhakti saints criticized the caste system in the body of the essay.

In summary:

Explain the importance of the Bhakti movement and Discuss how the Bhakti movement’s modifications have affected societal structure.

• For Example: In addition to providing the necessary catalyst for the development of vernacular literature, the Bhakti movement fundamentally emancipated the underbelly of Indian society. As a result, it attempted to implement religious changes by using devotion as a means of learning and obtaining salvation.

Practice Question: 

Bhakti and Sufi traditions helped develop a counterculture to the caste-based orthodoxy of their times. Discuss the contributions of Bhakti saints in promoting an egalitarian society.

Mains PYQs

Question: Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti Literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (2021)

Prelims PYQs 

MCQ: The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja? (2022)

(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.

(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.

(c) Logical arguments were meant for the highest bliss.

(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.

Answer:  a

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