Devotional Paths to the Divine - Long Answer Questions
Bhakti is intense devotion or love of a devotee for God. It does not require priests or elaborate rituals. It is open to all, regardless of caste or gender.
Saints devoted to Shiva, who lived in Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries. There were 63 Nayanars from different castes.
Saints devoted to Vishnu, who lived in Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries. There were 12 Alvars.
Chola and Pandya kings built big temples around the shrines visited by these saint-poets. Their poems were compiled, and their statues were worshipped.
An influential philosopher born in Kerala (8th century). He advocated 'Advaita' (Non-dualism) - the soul and the Ultimate Reality are one. The world is an illusion (Maya).
Born in Tamil Nadu (11th century). Influenced by Alvars. He advocated 'Vishishtadvaita' (Qualified Non-dualism) - the soul even when united with God remains distinct. He focused on devotion to Vishnu.
Initiated by Basavanna in Karnataka (12th century). It argued for the equality of all human beings and against Brahmanical ideas of caste and ritual.
Jnaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, and Tukaram. They worshipped Vitthala (form of Vishnu). They wrote in Marathi. They rejected rituals and renunciation.
A Marathi devotional hymn.
Religious groups that criticized rituals and social order using simple logic. They advocated renunciation and training the mind/body through Yoga/meditation.
Muslim mystics who rejected outward religiosity and emphasized love and devotion to God and compassion for all fellow beings.
A hospice or a place where Sufi masters held their assemblies. Devotees of all descriptions visited here.
A great 13th-century Sufi poet from Iran who wrote in Persian.
One of the most influential saints (15th-16th century). He was a weaver. He rejected both major religious traditions (Hindu/Muslim rituals) and preached a religion of love. His verses are called Sakhis and Pads.
The founder of Sikhism (1469-1539). He emphasized the worship of one God. His followers ate together in a common kitchen (Langar).
The holy scripture of the Sikhs, compiled by Guru Arjan in 1604 and later added to by Guru Gobind Singh.
A Rajput princess who became a disciple of Ravidas (an untouchable saint). She was devoted to Krishna and composed many bhajans challenging upper-caste norms.
He conceived of God in the form of Rama. He wrote 'Ramcharitmanas' in Awadhi.
A genealogy or chain of Sufi teachers. The Chisti silsila was very popular in India.
It challenged the caste system, empowered women (like Mirabai), and promoted regional languages.
Devotional Paths to the Divine - Important Facts
Nayanars were devotees of Shiva.
Alvars were devotees of Vishnu.
Tevaram and Tiruvacakam are Nayanar compilations.
Divya Prabandham is an Alvar compilation.
Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar are famous Nayanars.
Periyalvar and Andal were famous Alvars.
Shankara taught Advaita.
Ramanuja taught Vishishtadvaita.
Basavanna led the Virashaiva movement.
Virashaivas were against idol worship.
Jnaneshwar wrote a commentary on the Gita (Jnaneshwari).
Pandharpur was the centre of the Vitthala cult.
Warkari sect is associated with Pandharpur.
Narasimha Mehta wrote 'Vaishnavajan to...'.
Sufis sought union with God like a lover.
Ghazali and Rumi were Central Asian Sufis.
Sufis used Zikr (chanting) and Raqs (dancing).
Chisti order includes Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.
Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki was a Chisti saint.
Baba Farid and Nizamuddin Auliya were Chistis.
Dargah is the tomb of a Sufi saint.
Tulsidas lived in the 16th century.
Surdas was a devotee of Krishna (Sursagar).
Shankaradeva of Assam emphasized Vishnu (Namghar).
Kabir's verses are found in Guru Granth Sahib.
Kabir believed in a formless Supreme God.
Gurmukhi is the script used for Punjabi.
Amritsar (Ramdaspur) developed around the Golden Temple.
Mughal Emperor Jahangir executed Guru Arjan.
Khalsa Panth founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
Sikhs became a political military entity.
Martin Luther started the Reformation in Europe.
Paramhansa is a title for a liberated soul.
Hagiographies are writings of saints' lives.
Mawali is a term related to Sufis.
Urs is the death anniversary of a Sufi saint.
Langar expresses equality.
Dharamshal was the place of worship for Nanak.
Nam-dan-isnan: Right worship, welfare, purity.
Ravidas belonged to the untouchable caste.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu popularized Krishna bhakti in Bengal.
Music flourished under Bhakti influence.
Qawwali is a form of Sufi music.
Bhakti used common people's language.
Sanskrit was left to the Brahmanas.
God is accessible to everyone.
Love is superior to knowledge/rituals.
Saints travelled and shared ideas.
Devotional Paths to the Divine - Important Dates/Terms
Guru Nanak's life
Compilation of Guru Granth Sahib
Establishment of Khalsa Panth
Execution of Guru Arjan