Indian History and World History (Part-17)

He is one of the best-known figures in the Bhakti Movement, especially in the Vaishnava tradition (devotion to Vishnu and his avatars like Krishna).

He was known for his work written in praise of Krishna mainly in Braj language, which is one of the two dialects of Hindi apart from Awadhi.

He wanted to preach his message of devotion to God and God’s grace called Pushtimarg.

Vallabhacharya represented the culmination of philosophical thought during the Bhakti Movement in the middle ages.

He is the founder of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition and a major figure of the Bhakti Movement in eastern India, especially Bengal and Odisha.

Key Teachings:

• Chant the Holy Names of Krishna (Harinam Sankirtan) as the easiest way to attain God in Kali Yuga.

• Bhakti (pure love) is the highest goal of life.

• God (Krishna) and His name are non-different.

• Taught the philosophy of Achintya Bheda Abheda — God and living beings are simultaneously one and different.

Tulsidas was a Hindu saint and poet devoted to the deity Rama. His epic Ramacharitamanasa was written in the Awadhi dialect.

Major Works of Tulsidas:

• Ramcharitmanas — A devotional retelling of Ramayana in Awadhi, loved across North India.

• Hanuman Chalisa — A hymn of 40 verses praising Lord Hanuman (very popular even today).

• Vinay Patrika — A prayer collection.

• Dohavali, Kavitavali, Gitavali — Other poetic works.

He is considered the founder of the Ramanandi Sampradaya, the largest Vaishnava monastic tradition in India today. His devotion focused mainly on Lord Rama.

Key Teachings of Ramananda:

• God is one (Hari, especially in the form of Rama) and available to all, irrespective of caste or background.

• Bhakti (devotion) is the best path to realize God.

• He rejected rigid caste rules and social discrimination.

• Emphasized Naam-Smaran (chanting the divine name, especially Ram Naam).

His followers were known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the linga). The movement focused on the annihilation of caste-based and gender based inequality in society.

Key Teachings of Basavanna:

• Kayakave Kailasa: "Work is worship." (Honest work is equal to worshiping God.)

• All humans are equal — He strongly opposed the caste system and discrimination.

• God is within you — Worship through personal devotion (Ishtalinga) rather than elaborate temple rituals.

• Simple living, spiritual life — Devotion through purity, honesty, and service.

He promoted the worship of Lord Krishna and emphasized bhakti (devotion) over ritualistic practices.

The Bijak is one of the earliest of the major texts in modern Hindi. The term Bijak means a document containing sacred texts.

Ramcharitmanas literally means "Lake of the deeds of Rama".

Ramcharitmanas is considered one of the greatest works of Hindi literature.

It is located at Ajmer comprised of Chishti's grave.