Question

How did the saints of Maharashtra contribute to the Bhakti Movement?

Answer 1

Instructions: The answer to this question should talk about how they promoted unity among people, stressed upon helping the needy as synonymous with devotion, and how they condemned the unnecessary rituals and customs.

Solution:

• In the 11th century, Bhakt Pundarike laid the foundation of the devotion of Viththalnath or Vithoba in Maharashtra.
• Between the 13th to 17th centuries, this devotion was furthered by many saints and poets in Maharashtra.
• These saint-poets composed various devotional songs. Tukaram was one of these saints.
• The saints of Maharashtra condemned elaborate rites and caste distinctions.
• They also preached that a person could worship God without renunciation.
• They also argued that helping the needy is synonymous with real devotion.
• The saints, thus, gave humanism an altogether different meaning.