Chapter 6
devotional paths to the divine
Let’s recall
- Match the following: The Buddha namghar Shankaradeva worship of Vishnu
Nizamuddin Auliya questioned social differences
Nayanars Sufi saint
Alvars worship of Shiva
Alvars worship of Shiva
(a) Shankara was an advocate of _.
(b) Ramanuja was influenced by the _.
_, _ and _ were advocates of Virashaivism.
_ was an important centre of the Bhakti tradition in Maharashtra.
scribe the beliefs and practices of the Nathpanthis, Siddhas and Yogis.
at were the major ideas expressed by Kabir? How did he express these?
Let’s understand
- What were the major beliefs and practices of the Sufis?
- Why do you think many teachers rejected prevalent religious beliefs and practices?
- What were the major teachings of Baba Guru Nanak? Let’s discuss
- For either the Virashaivas or the sants of Maharashtra, discuss their attitude towards caste.
- Why do you think ordinary people preserved the memory of Mirabai? Let’s do
- Find out whether in your neighbourhood there are any dargahs, gurudwaras or temples associated with saints of the bhakti tradition in your neighbourhood. Visit any one of these and describe what you see and hea
- For any of the saint-poets whose compositions have been included in this chapter, find out more about their works, noting down other poems. Find out whether these are sung, how they are sung, and what the poets wrote about.
- There are several saint-poets whose names have been mentioned but their works have not been included in the chapter. Find out more about the language in which they composed, whether their compositions were sung, and what their compositions were about.