Medieval India Foundations: Bhakti and Philosophy

1. The Bhakti Movement: Early Phase (South India)

The Bhakti movement originated in South India between the 7th and 9th centuries, emphasizing personal devotion to God over ritualism.

Alvars: Devotees of Vishnu. There were 12 Alvars, including Andal (the only female Alvar). Their hymns are collected in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Nayanars: Devotees of Shiva. There were 63 Nayanars. Their hymns are collected in the Tevaram and Tiruvacakam.

Social Equality: Rejected the caste system and included saints from lower castes (e.g., Nandanar).
Vernacular Focus: Composed hymns in Tamil, making the message accessible to the masses.
Temple Centered: The movement was closely linked to the growth of major temple complexes under the Pallavas and Cholas.

These schools provided the intellectual framework for the Bhakti movement.

Philosopher — School — Key Concept — Technical Nuance
Shankaracharya — Advaita (Non-dualism) — Brahm Satyam Jagan Mithya — Absolute oneness of Atman and Brahman. The world is an illusion (Maya). Emphasized Jnana (Knowledge) as the path to liberation.
Ramanujacharya — Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-dualism) — Saguna Brahman — Brahman is the supreme reality but has attributes. The world and souls are real and form the "body" of God. Emphasized Prapatti (Total surrender).
Madhvacharya — Dvaita (Dualism) — Pancha-bheda — Complete distinction between Vishnu and souls. Taught in Kannada; potentially influenced by the Christian church of Malabar (concept of mediator Vayu/Wind-god resembling the Holy Ghost).
Nimbarkacharya — Dvaitadvaita (Dual-non-dualism) — Bheda-abheda — Relation between God and soul is like the sun and its rays — both different and same.

Founder: Basavanna (12th century, Karnataka).
Core Institution: Anubhava Mantapa (Hall of Spiritual Experience); an academy for spiritual discussion open to all.
Social Reform: Vehemently opposed the caste system, sacrificial rituals, and the authority of the Vedas. Encouraged remarriage of widows and opposed child marriage.
Vachanas: Influential poetic prose composed in Kannada.

Arrival: Sufi saints began arriving in India before the Delhi Sultanate (e.g., Al-Hujwiri / Data Ganj Baksh in Lahore).
Silsilahs: Organizations or orders of Sufis. The Chishti and Suhrawardy orders would later become dominant.
Concept: Emphasized Ishq (Divine Love) and Fana (Dissolution of self in God).