Class 7 Social Science Notes Chapter 8 (Devotional Paths To The Divine) – Out Pasts - II Book

Alright class, let's focus today on a very significant period in India's medieval history covered in Chapter 8: 'Devotional Paths To The Divine'. This chapter explores the rise and spread of Bhakti and Sufi movements, which profoundly impacted religious thought, social structures, and cultural expressions across the subcontinent. Understanding these movements is crucial, not just for your exams, but also for appreciating the diverse fabric of Indian spirituality.

Here are the detailed notes for your preparation:

Devotional Paths To The Divine: Detailed Notes

1. The Idea of a Supreme God (Before the Large Kingdoms)

• Before large kingdoms emerged, different groups worshipped their own gods and goddesses.
• With the growth of towns, trade, and empires, new ideas began to develop. The concept that all living things pass through countless cycles of birth and rebirth (samsara) based on their deeds (karma) became widely accepted.
• Similarly, the idea that social privileges derived from birth (caste system) was deeply entrenched. Many were uneasy with such ideas and turned towards the teachings of the Buddha or the Jainas, which offered simpler paths to salvation.
• Others felt drawn to the idea of a Supreme God who could deliver humans from bondage if approached with devotion or Bhakti. This idea, advocated in the Bhagavad Gita, grew popular.
• Shiva, Vishnu, and Durga became recognized as supreme deities, worshipped through elaborate rituals.
• Local myths and legends became part of the Puranic stories. The Puranas also recommended methods of worship for common people.
• The idea of Bhakti became so popular that even Buddhists and Jainas adopted these beliefs.

2. A New Kind of Bhakti in South India – Nayanars and Alvars

• Timeline: Emerged around the 7th to 9th centuries in South India.
• Nayanars: Saints devoted to Shiva. There were 63 Nayanars.
  • They came from diverse caste backgrounds, including "untouchables" like Pulaiyar and Panars.
  • Notable Nayanars: Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, Manikkavasagar.
  • Compilation of their songs: Tevaram and Tiruvachakam.
• Alvars: Saints devoted to Vishnu. There were 12 Alvars.
  • They also came from diverse backgrounds.
  • Notable Alvars: Periyalvar, his daughter Andal, Tondaradippodi Alvar, Nammalvar.
  • Compilation of their songs: Divya Prabandham.
• Characteristics:
  • Travelled widely, composing poems and songs in praise of their deities in local languages (Tamil).
  • Set poems to music.
  • Criticized rigid caste systems and the dominance of Brahmanas.
  • Emphasized love and devotion as the path to salvation, open to all regardless of caste.
  • Drew upon ideals of love and heroism found in Sangam literature.
  • Chola and Pandya kings built temples around shrines visited by these saints, strengthening the link between Bhakti and temple worship.

3. Philosophy and Bhakti

• Shankara (Adi Shankaracharya):
  • Born in Kerala (8th century).
  • Proponent of Advaita (Non-duality/Oneness).
  • Taught that the individual soul (Atman) and the Supreme Soul (Brahman), the Ultimate Reality, are one.
  • Believed Brahman was formless and without attributes.
  • Emphasized the path of knowledge (Jnana) to understand the true nature of Brahman and attain salvation.
  • Advocated renunciation of the world.
• Ramanuja:
  • Born in Tamil Nadu (11th century).
  • Deeply influenced by the Alvars.
  • Proponent of Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Oneness).
  • Taught that the soul, even when united with the Supreme God, remains distinct.
  • Emphasized intense devotion (Bhakti) to Vishnu as the means to attain salvation.
  • His teachings greatly inspired later Bhakti movements in North India.

4. Basavanna’s Virashaivism

• Origin: Karnataka, mid-12th century.
• Initiators: Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, and Akkamahadevi.
• Core Beliefs:
  • Strongly argued for the equality of all human beings.
  • Sharply questioned Brahmanical ideas about caste and the treatment of women.
  • Opposed all forms of ritual and idol worship.
  • Focused on devotion to Shiva (in his manifestation as a Linga).
  • Followers are known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the Linga).

5. The Saints of Maharashtra

• Timeline: Flourished from the 13th to 17th centuries.
• Focus: Devotion to Lord Vitthala (a form of Vishnu), centered around the temple in Pandharpur. This tradition is also known as the Varkari movement.
• Key Saints:
  • Jnaneshwar (wrote commentary on Bhagavad Gita in Marathi)
  • Namdev
  • Eknath
  • Tukaram
  • Women saints like Sakkubai.
  • Saints from "untouchable" Mahar caste, like Chokhamela.
• Characteristics:
  • Rejected all forms of ritualism, outward displays of piety, and social differences based on birth.
  • Rejected the idea of renunciation; preferred to live with their families and earn livelihoods like common people.
  • Emphasized serving fellow human beings and sharing others' pain.
  • Composed devotional songs in simple Marathi called abhangs.
  • This regional tradition of Bhakti focused on a personal God residing in the hearts of all people.

6. Nathpanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis

• Criticized conventional religion's rituals and social order.
• Advocated renunciation of the world.
• Believed the path to salvation lay in meditation on the formless Ultimate Reality and achieving oneness with it.
• Emphasized intense training of the mind and body through practices like Yogasanas, breathing exercises, and meditation.
• Particularly popular among "low" castes.
• Their criticism of conventional religion created a base for devotional religion to become popular in Northern India.

7. Islam and Sufism

• Islam:
  • Strict monotheism (belief in one God, Allah).
  • Rejection of idol worship.
  • Considerable simplification of rituals into collective prayers (namaz).
  • Developed holy law called Shariat.
• Sufism:
  • Mystical dimension of Islam.
  • Sought deeper, personal understanding of God through love and devotion (ishq).
  • Rejected outward religiosity demanded by orthodox Ulema (theologians).
  • Emphasized compassion towards all fellow human beings.
  • Sufis: Muslim mystics, often rejected elaborate rituals and codes of behaviour.
  • Key Ideas/Practices: Union with God like a lover seeks the beloved, composition of poems, development of methods like Zikr (chanting of a name or sacred formula), contemplation, Sama (singing), Raqs (dancing), discussion of parables, breath control under the guidance of a master or Pir.
  • Silsilas: Spiritual genealogies or orders of Sufi teachers, each following a slightly different method (tariqa) of instruction and ritual practice. Examples: Chishti silsila.
  • Khanqahs: Hospices or centres where Sufi masters lived, taught, and held assemblies. Devotees of all descriptions, including royalty, nobility, and common people, flocked here.
  • Prominent Sufis: Ghazzali, Rumi, Sa‘di (Central Asia); Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer), Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (Delhi), Baba Farid (Punjab), Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi), Bandanawaz Gisudaraz (Gulbarga) (India).
  • Interaction: Sufi masters held assemblies in their khanqahs. They discussed spiritual matters, sought blessings, and attended music/dance sessions (sama). There was often interaction and exchange of ideas between Sufis and Hindu yogis (Nathpanthis, Siddhas).
  • Popularity: Like Bhakti saints, Sufis were popular among common people due to their inclusive approach and emphasis on love and devotion. Their shrines (dargahs) became centres of pilgrimage.

8. New Religious Developments in North India (Post-13th Century)

• This period saw a convergence of influence from Bhakti, Sufism, Nathpanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis.
• New leaders emerged who questioned orthodox religion and social norms.
• Kabir (c. 15th-16th centuries):
  • Likely brought up in a Muslim weaver (julaha) family near Varanasi (Banaras).
  • Influenced by Bhakti saints, Sufis, and Yogis.
  • Strongly rejected major religious traditions (Hinduism and Islam), priestly classes, and the caste system.
  • Criticized all forms of external worship, idol worship, and rituals.
  • Preached devotion to a formless Supreme God (Nirguna Bhakti).
  • Believed the path to salvation was through Bhakti or devotion.
  • Composed verses called sakhis and pads in a form of spoken Hindi widely understood. These were later collected in texts like the Bijak.
  • His teachings formed the basis of the Kabir Panth.
• Guru Nanak (1469-1539):
  • Born in Talwandi (Nankana Sahib, now in Pakistan). Travelled widely.
  • Established a centre at Kartarpur (Dera Baba Nanak on Ravi river).
  • Taught worship of One Formless God (Nirankar).
  • Insisted caste, creed, or gender were irrelevant for attaining liberation.
  • His idea of liberation was based on active life with social commitment, not withdrawal.
  • Emphasized Nam (right worship), Dan (welfare of others), Isnan (purity of conduct). Later summarised as Nam-japna (remembering God), Kirt-karna (honest earning), and Vand-chakna (sharing with others).
  • His teachings emphasized equality.
  • Used the word 'Guru' for God.
  • Followers gathered in a dharmsal (later Gurdwara) for community worship (sangat) and collective recitation.
  • Appointed a successor, Guru Angad, before his death, establishing the importance of the Guru.
  • Guru Angad compiled Guru Nanak's compositions and added his own in a new script called Gurmukhi.
  • Three subsequent Gurus also wrote under the name 'Nanak'.
  • Compiled by Guru Arjan in 1604 (including writings of Sheikh Farid, Kabir, Bhagat Namdev, Guru Tegh Bahadur). This scripture is the Adi Granth Sahib (later Guru Granth Sahib).
  • His followers formed the Sikh community.
  • The community became politicized in the 17th century, leading to the institution of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
• Other Contemporary Saints:
  • Mirabai (c. 16th century): Rajput princess married into royalty of Mewar. Became a disciple of Ravidas (saint from an "untouchable" caste). Devoted to Krishna (Saguna Bhakti). Composed numerous bhajans expressing intense devotion. Challenged upper-caste norms. Her songs remain popular.
  • Tulsidas (c. 16th century): Conceived of God in the form of Rama (Saguna Bhakti). Composed the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi (a dialect of Hindi used in eastern Uttar Pradesh), a highly influential work.
  • Surdas (c. 16th century): An ardent devotee of Krishna (Saguna Bhakti). His compositions, compiled in the Sursagar, Surasaravali, and Sahitya Lahari, express his devotion.
  • Shankaradeva (Assam, late 15th century): Emphasized devotion to Vishnu. Composed poems and plays (ankiya nat) in Assamese. Established namghars (houses of recitation and prayer) and monasteries for transmission of his teachings. His teachings are known as Ekasarana nama dharma (supreme surrender to the One).

9. Conclusion: Impact of Bhakti and Sufi Movements

• Promoted regional languages as saints composed works in local vernaculars.
• Challenged rigid caste hierarchies and Brahmanical dominance.
• Emphasized love, devotion, and compassion as paths to God, making religion more accessible.
• Led to the development of new religious communities (Sikhs, Kabir Panthis, Lingayats).
• Contributed significantly to the cultural and religious synthesis in medieval India.
• Left a lasting legacy on Indian music, literature, and spirituality.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Here are 10 MCQs based on the chapter for your practice:

1. The Nayanars were devotees of which deity?
   A. Vishnu
   B. Shiva
   C. Durga
   D. Brahma

2. Which philosopher advocated the doctrine of Advaita (Oneness of the individual soul and the Supreme Soul)?
   A. Ramanuja
   B. Basavanna
   C. Shankara
   D. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

3. The compilation of the songs of the Alvars is known as:
   A. Tevaram
   B. Divya Prabandham
   C. Bijak
   D. Ramcharitmanas

4. Virashaivism, initiated by Basavanna, primarily emerged in which region?
   A. Tamil Nadu
   B. Maharashtra
   C. Karnataka
   D. Kerala

5. The saints of Maharashtra, like Jnaneshwar and Tukaram, composed devotional songs in Marathi called:
   A. Sakhis
   B. Pads
   C. Bhajans
   D. Abhangs

6. What is a Khanqah in the context of Sufism?
   A. A Sufi shrine or tomb
   B. A hospice or centre where Sufi masters lived and taught
   C. A collection of Sufi poems
   D. The holy law of Islam

7. Which of the following Bhakti saints emphasized devotion to a formless God (Nirguna Bhakti)?
   A. Mirabai
   B. Tulsidas
   C. Kabir
   D. Surdas

8. Guru Nanak's teachings emphasized the importance of Nam-japna, Kirt-karna, and:
   A. Dhyana-lagana (Meditation)
   B. Vand-chakna (Sharing with others)
   C. Tirtha-yatra (Pilgrimage)
   D. Murti-puja (Idol worship)

9. The Ramcharitmanas, a retelling of the Ramayana in Awadhi, was composed by:
   A. Surdas
   B. Kabir
   C. Tulsidas
   D. Shankaradeva

10. The Chishti Silsila is associated with which religious tradition?
    A. Nathpanthis
    B. Virashaivism
    C. Bhakti Movement
    D. Sufism

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. B
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. D
6. B
7. C
8. B
9. C
10. D

Study these notes thoroughly. Remember to connect the different movements and understand their core philosophies, key figures, and social impact. This will provide a strong foundation for your exam preparation. Let me know if any part needs further clarification!