GS Paper I

News Excerpt:

This year, 2023, 'Sant Mirabai Janmotsav' marks the 525th birth anniversary of Sant Mirabai, which was celebrated with great pomp in Uttar Pradesh.

• During this event, the Prime Minister of India also unveiled a commemorative stamp and coin as a tribute to Mirabai. 

About Mirabai:

• Mirabai was born in the present-day Pali district of Rajasthan in the Rajput royal family. After getting married in 1516 to the prince of Mewar, Bhoj Raj, she faced various challenges in her marital life.
• Mirabai is well known for her fond love towards  Lord Krishna. 
• Due to her unwavering devotion towards Krishna, she abandoned the royal palace and embarked on a spiritual journey.
  • However, after the death of her husband, she ultimately left Mewar Palace's luxurious life and embarked on a further journey to various pilgrimages, especially Dwarka.
• Mirabai advocated for social issues like inequality prevailing due to birth, poverty, age, and sex.
• A saint like Mirabai showed that women's self-confidence can guide the whole world.
• Her famous contributions were her songs and poems in Bhakti like, ‘Payoji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo.’
• She is also mentioned in Bhaktamal, which Nabha Dass wrote. 

Bhakti Movement in India:

• In Southern India:

• • The Bhakti Movement originated in the Tamil region during the 6th-7th centuries AD.
  • However, it gained prominence during the 12th century, when Basavanna, a minister in the Kalachuri Dynasty, initiated a significant phase of the Bhakti movement in the Kannada region.

• In Western India:

• In Maharashtra, the Bhakti movement gained momentum in the late 13th century, led by the Varkaris like Saint Dyanadev, Namdev, and Tukaram who played a pivotal role, leaving behind verses that encapsulated the essence of Bhakti. They rebelled against societal norms and defied Brahminical dominations through their writings and poems. 

• In North India:

• The Bhakti movement, originating in South India, spread to Western India and eventually reached North India until the 15th century. For example, Saint Ramanuja introduced the doctrine of Vishistadvaita, which stood in contrast to the complete monoism.

Significance of the Bhakti Movement:

• Awareness: The Bhakti movement awakened Hindus and Muslims (through Sufism) to the futility of ritualism and superstitions.
• Resistance to the Orthodoxy system: One of the most significant social impacts was the rejection of caste distinctions by followers of the Bhakti movement. The practice of ‘Sati’ faced resistance, and the Bhakti saints emerged as social reformers condemning various social evils.
• Life lessons: The movement instilled a powerful message that promoted hard work, honest means of earning wealth, and social service to the poor. It emphasised humanitarian values, contentment, and self-control.

Prelims PYQ

Q. Consider the following Bhakti Saints : (UPSC 2013)

1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja

Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 2

Mains PYQ

Q. Evaluate the nature of Bhakti Literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (UPSC 2021)