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EACHINGS & PHILOSOPHY OF BHAKTI & SUFI SAINTS

SHIVANSH KHURANA

“Actual joy is a product of spiritual nature. It spontaneously manifests when the living entity begins to love for One God.”Bhakti Saying. The Bhakti Movement has a great emphasis and influence on the human life today because of concept: Supreme God’s love and devotion. People in earlier times worshipped their own gods and goddesses. With the emergence of big kingdoms and development of the caste system, new forms of worship emerged. Now worship included elaborate rituals and ceremonies. Caste structure divided people into low born and high born. In most of the cases, the Brahmins were given the task of performing religious ceremonies while the low castes were forbidden to even enter the temple premises! This form of isolation and discrimination led people to believe in the teachings of Buddhism and Jainism which disregarded the social differences. The concept of the Supreme God and simple peace of religion is devotion or Bhakti which is the true form of worship. Guru Nanak and Ravidas were two Bhakti Saints who’s Teachings and Philosophy is famous among people. Guru Nanak was born in 15th century. Guru Nanak believed in worship of

one God. He denounced caste distinctions and rituals like bathing in holy rivers. According to him, liberation meant a pursuit of active life and social commitment and not just a state of inert bliss. The terms Nam, Dan & Insan, which meant right worship, welfare of others and purity of conduct, were important part of his ideology. His conception of religion was highly practical and sternly ethical. He exhorted people to give up selfishness, falsehood and hypocrisy and lead to a life of truth, honesty and kindness. “Abide pure amidst the impurities of the World”, was one of his famous sayings. His life was dedicated to establishing harmony between Hindus and Muslims.

Ravidas was born in 15th century. He taught that one is not distinguished not by one’s caste but by one’s actions and that every person has the right to worship God and read holy text. Ravidas accepts that Brahman is monistic. Guru Ravidas taught removal of social divisions of caste and gender, and promoted unity in the pursuit of personal spiritual freedoms. Philosophy-Tohi Mohi Mohi Tohi Antar Kaisa Kanak Katik Jal Tarang Jaisa. There’s no

difference between Thee and me and me and Thee, It’s just as an ornament as gold in itself, just as a wave is nothing but water only.

The Bhakti Movement gave simple religion, without complicated rituals and removed the bitterness between Hindus-Muslims with pure devotion to God and charity Life!

“There are 4 rules for spiritual path of God,” Begin, continue, make own spiritual progress & serve the mankind.”Sufi Sayings. The Sufi Movement Saints emphasized and influenced the human mind about the harmony, equality and brotherhood of humans. They believed in that God is Spiritual.Sufism, which started as a reform movement, laid emphasis on free-thinking, liberal ideas and toleration. They believed in the equality of all human beings and brotherhood of man. Their concept of universal brotherhood and the humanitarian ideas of the Sufi saints attracted the Indian mind.  The Sufi movement proved very helpful in bridging the gap between the followers of the two religions and in bringing the Hindus and the Muslims together. Moinuddin Chisti from Chisti Order and Nizamuddin Auliya were two Sufi Saints who’s Teachings and Philosophy is important contribution to Sufi Movement & other Indian Socities.Moinuddin Chisti; was active in 11th -12th century. He laid stress on renunciation of material goods; strict regime of self-discipline and personal prayer; participation in Sufism as a legitimate means to spiritual transformation; reliance on either cultivation or unsolicited offerings as means of basic subsistence;

independence from rulers and the state, including rejection of monetary and land grants; generosity to others, particularly, through sharing of food and wealth, and tolerance and respect for religious differences. He, in other words, interpreted religion in terms of human service and exhorted his disciples "to develop river-like generosity, sun-like affection and earth-like hospitality." The highest form of devotion, according to him, was "to redress the misery of those in distress – to fulfill the needs of the helpless and to feed the hungry."

Nizamuddin Auliya was active in 13th-14th century. He emphasized on renunciation and having complete trust in God. He taught the unity of mankind and shunning distinctions based on social, economic and religious status, helping the needy, feeding the hungry and being sympathetic to the oppressed. He was against strong disapproval of mixing with the Sultans, the princes and the nobles. He exhorted in making close contact with the poor and the downtrodden and adopted an uncompromising attitude towards all forms of political and social oppression. He took a bold stance in favor of Sema.

 Sufism became a vehicle of spiritual and cultural upliftment of people. It neutralized the Hindu-Muslim tension

in society. Their belief in equality led them to protest against caste domination, consumption of alcohol, gambling and slavery.