Gaur Purnima ...Bhakti Movement 2

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>From the time Islam entered the country it was

inevitable that the two religions would clash and challenge

each other. While the two religions weighed and

watched each other suspiciously as well as curiously, the

broadminded as well the enlightened among both sections of

society tried to find similarities among the two

religions and worked for religious harmony.<br><br>They

were probably more successful than the Delhi Sultans

or the Mughals in fulfilling their objective. Many

ancient Indian scriptures were translated into Persian

and Urdu, the new language of the land slowly became

a popular native language in its own

right.<br><br>The Islamic art and architecture, music and cuisine,

modes of dressing etc, found their way into the Indian

milieu, while Hindu art and architecture found ready

patrons among the Muslim nobility. The Sufi saints found

acceptance among the Hindus, while many of the native

traditions were continued to be followed by the new converts

to Islam.<br><br>During the medieval period,

Hinduism witnessed a great and silent revival through the

rise of bhakti movement. Bhakti or devotion to a

particular God became the central theme of many social and

religious reform movements of this period.<br><br>This

movement laid particular emphasis on devotion and

surrender to God as the best way to attain salvation. It

set aside knowledge and asceticism as the means for

salvation and took up devotion as the best and the easiest

path to achieve the same.<br><br>The rise of bhakti

was very timely and momentous in the religious

history of Hinduism because it not only protected the

religion from degeneration but also enabled the masses to

participate in it. In all fairness we must say that instead

of destroying Hinduism, Islam strengthened it. It

helped Hindus to come together and regroup themselves

silently and religiously. By challenging its tenets, it

helped Hindus to look at their religion afresh and

strengthen its weaker aspects.<br>Many prominent

personalities like Shri Ramanuja, Shri Ramananda, Nimbarka,

Shri Vallabhacharya, Shri Basava, Lord Chaitanya,

Mirabai, Tulsidas, the Nayanars and Alvars of south, Shri

Namdev, Shri Chandidas and Vidyapati, Sant Tukaram and

many more played a key role in the bhakti

movement.<br><br>Through their sincere efforts and total devotion to God,

they raised the religious fervor of the masses,

bringing God closer to their homes and hearts. They

completely relied upon simple faith and total devotion as

the best means to protect Hindu Dharma from

destruction.<br><br>Bhakti movement also contributed to the rise of

devotional literature. Many of the scriptures and epics were

translated into native languages, as Sanskrit was slowly

losing ground to other languages due to absence of royal

patronage. Tulsidas translated the epic Ramayana into

Ramacharitmanas. Shri Surdas composed the Sursagar containing

devotional hymns depicting the childhood exploits of Lord

Krishna. Many famous literary figures from the south

translated the epics into vernacular languages.<br><br>In

south, Hinduism found great patronage among some strong

and powerful rulers like the Rayas of Hampi and

Gajapatis of Orissa. These rulers aware of the political

situation in the north, did their best to prevent the

Muslim rulers from entering deep into the south and also

worked for the welfare of Hinduism. Themselves great

devotees, they encouraged religious activity among their

subjects and were responsible for the construction of many

temples in their kingdoms.<br><br>Another momentous event

of this period was the birth of Guru Nanak in 1469

in the region of Punjab, whose teachings gave raise

to the formation of a new faith called Sikhism.

Sikhs played a very prominent role during the medieval

period and along with Hindus they stood against any

unjust treatment in the hands of Mughal emperors.