Question.9 Read any five of the sources included in this chapter and discuss the social and religious ideas that are expressed in them.
The Bhakti-Sufi tradition, which emerged between the 7th and 17th centuries in the Indian subcontinent, was a significant movement that sought to challenge rigid religious orthodoxy, caste systems, and hierarchical structures. Through the use of poetry, hymns, and spiritual teachings, both Bhakti and Sufi thinkers expressed ideas that focused on universal spirituality, social equality, community welfare, and love for God. This chapter in the NCERT Class 12 History book provides various primary sources that highlight these social and religious ideas. In this discussion, we will examine five such sources and analyze the key social and religious concepts that they convey.
- Source: Hymn by Saint Kabir
Saint Kabir (1440–1518) was one of the most prominent figures of the Bhakti movement. His dohas (couplets) expressed direct, simple, and universal ideas that conveyed spiritual equality, rejection of ritualism, and opposition to caste distinctions.
Social and Religious Ideas Expressed:
Unity of All Religions: Kabir’s teachings often emphasized oneness of God and the futility of ritualistic worship performed in temples and mosques. He rejected the rigid boundaries of Hinduism and Islam, advocating universal love.
Equality of All Humans: His poetry made clear that devotion to God was not limited by caste, gender, or social status. He believed that every individual had equal access to God.
Criticism of Rituals: Kabir’s dohas criticize the performance of rituals and idol worship by pointing out that true devotion lies in pure love and service to humanity.
Example:
“Kahe ko mangi pichhure, tumri pichhure din-rat” (Why do you go begging for images? You carry on praying day and night). This verse reflects his opposition to idolatry and external rituals.
- Source: Abhang by Sant Tukaram
Sant Tukaram (1608–1649) was a Maratha saint from Maharashtra, whose Abhangs (devotional songs) conveyed devotion to Lord Vitthal and criticism of caste-based discrimination.
Social and Religious Ideas Expressed:
Devotion through Service: Tukaram’s Abhangs highlight the importance of selfless service (seva) and love for God, emphasizing that true devotion is shown through acts of kindness and caring for others.
Rejection of Caste Divisions: His poetry rejects caste-based distinctions, stating that all individuals are equal in the eyes of God and every person has a place in spiritual salvation.
Criticism of Rituals and External Symbols: Like Kabir, Tukaram criticized ritualism and material symbols of devotion, urging people to look inward for spiritual connection.
Example:
“Bhagwan nimantram nahi, bhakt te karanbhav” (God cannot be captured by rituals; He responds to love and devotion). This reflects Tukaram’s emphasis on inner spirituality over external rituals.
- Source: Poem by Sant Meera Bai
Meera Bai (1498–1547) was a devotee of Lord Krishna whose devotional poetry focused on spiritual longing and rejection of worldly attachments.
Social and Religious Ideas Expressed:
Love as the Path to God: Meera Bai’s poems emphasize spiritual love as the primary means to connect with God, particularly Krishna. She believed that true devotion transcends caste, gender, and wealth.
Rejection of Materialism: Her verses consistently express disdain for material wealth and earthly desires, advocating that true joy lies in spiritual surrender.
Criticism of Social Norms: Meera Bai also challenges traditional expectations by refusing to remarry after the death of her husband, showing her devotion to Krishna over social obligations.
Example:
“Chalo man gopala ki gali, man ki abhilasha puri” (Let us go to the street of Lord Krishna, where the desires of the heart are fulfilled). This conveys devotion to God as a personal and spiritual quest beyond worldly life.
- Source: Poem by Sufi Saint Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah (1680–1757) was a Punjabi Sufi poet who used simple folk language to express spiritual love, rejection of hypocrisy, and critique of social inequality.
Social and Religious Ideas Expressed:
Rejection of Hypocrisy: Bulleh Shah often targeted false religious practices and self-proclaimed religious elites. His poems urge people to seek God within themselves rather than through external rituals.
Criticism of Caste and Class Divisions: He used vernacular Punjabi to emphasize the futility of material wealth and social hierarchy, pointing out that all individuals are spiritually equal.
Love for God Over Rituals: Bulleh Shah’s poetry focuses on the power of love to unite people and transcend religious differences.
Example:
“Parmatma pyaar da deewar” (God is the wall of love). His poems focus on God’s love as the sole path to spiritual fulfillment.
- Source: Poem by Sufi Saint Mirabai
Mirabai, like Bulleh Shah, was a Sufi poetess who wrote devotional poems expressing spiritual longing for Lord Krishna.
Social and Religious Ideas Expressed:
Spiritual Love Above All: Mirabai’s poetry places love for Krishna as the supreme devotion, urging people to renounce worldly attachments and seek union with God.
Criticism of Worldly Desires: Her verses focus on the transient nature of materialism and the enduring value of spiritual purity.
Rejection of Social Boundaries: Like other Bhakti poets, she rejects caste and hierarchical social norms, asserting spiritual equality.
Example:
“Mero man hare Krishna, kho gaya jagat sang” (My heart has been captivated by Krishna, I have lost interest in worldly things). This reflects her devotion as the driving force of her life, beyond social limitations.
Conclusion
The sources from the Bhakti-Sufi tradition—such as the poetry of Kabir, Tukaram, Meera Bai, Bulleh Shah, and Mirabai—express profound social and religious ideas that challenged orthodox religious practices, criticized rigid caste systems, and emphasized the universality of devotion. These poets used vernacular languages to ensure that common people could understand and relate to their spiritual teachings. The themes of love for God, spiritual equality, community service, and the rejection of materialism remain central to their poetry, offering a spiritual vision that transcends social boundaries and speaks to all individuals seeking meaning in life.