Medieval Period: The Bhakti Movement Exam Review Flashcards

100 comprehensive practice flashcards in Question and Answer format covering saints, regional movements, philosophical frameworks, texts, and social developments of the Bhakti Movement based on lecture notes.

What timeframe defines the Bhakti Movement in Medieval India?

From the sixth/seventh century to the seventeenth century.

How is the Bhakti Movement broadly characterized in terms of its social impact?

A significant socio-cultural and counter-hegemonic movement that led to socio-religious changes and the emergence of modern Indian literatures.

What new spiritual figure emerged in India in the sixth century CE?

The "Saint".

According to the lecture notes, what is considered the best introduction to a saint?

Their poems.

Which philosophical system taught by Adi Shankaracharya influenced the background of the Bhakti Movement?

Monism or Advaita philosophy.

Which two prominent Vaishnava Acharyas are highlighted as major influences on the movement?

Ramanuja and Madhva.

Which classical texts served as primary religious foundations for the Bhakti Movement?

The Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.

Which two South Indian saint traditions served as early catalysts for the Bhakti Movement?

The Alvars and the Nayanmars.

What role did vernacular languages play in the Bhakti Movement's literary contributions?

Poets sang in the common vernacular languages rather than Sanskrit, making spiritual reflection accessible and founding modern Indian literatures.

What is the primary contention of the Bhakti Movement regarding a devotee's path to salvation?

A devotee can achieve salvation through direct, personal worship of God without priests as intermediaries.

How did Bhakti saints differ from earlier sages or figures like the Buddha and Mahavira regarding public presence?

Bhakti saints did not appear alone; they appeared in groups or droves.

What type of lifestyle was characteristic of many Bhakti saints?

Peripatetic lives lived outdoors.

Who were the Alvars of Tamil lands?

A group of 12 Vaishnavite saints active from the 5th century to the 9th century CE.

What is the linguistic transition in meaning from "Azhvars" to "Alvars"?

From "those immersed in worship of Vishnu" to "conquered".

What does the concept "Amsas of Vishnu" signify regarding the Alvars?

That the Alvars were considered aspects or incarnations of Vishnu.

In what language did the Alvars express their devotional poetry?

Tamil.

How many Alvars are said to have appeared miraculously?

Three (including Andal).

What is the primary canonical compilation of the Alvars' hymns?

Nalaayira Divya Prabhandam.

How many sacred Vishnu temples, known as Divya Desams, are associated with the Alvars?

108 Divya Desams.

Who was the only female saint among the 12 Alvars?

Andal (Sri Andal).

Name the first three Alvars in the Tamil Vaishnavite tradition.

Poigaiyalwar, Boothathalwar, and Peiyalwar.

Which image in the lecture notes displays all 12 Alvars with their names in Tamil and English?

The banner illustration depicting the 12 Alvars of Tamil lands.

Which Alvar saint was the father of Andal?

Periyalwar (also known as Visnucitta).

Name three Alvars who followed the initial trio in the tradition.

Thirumazhisai alwar, Madurakavialwar, and Nammalwar.

Name three additional Alvars from the list of twelve Tamil saints.

Kulasekaralwar, Thondaradippodialwar, and Thirupanalwar (or Thirumangai alwar).

Who were the Nayanmars (or Nayanars)?

A group of 63 Shaivite saints ("Hounds of Shiva / Teachers of Shiva") who led the development of Shaivism from the 6th to 8th century CE.

Who are considered the foremost four Nayanmars?

Appar, Sundarar, Sambhandar, and Manikkavacakar.

Which Nayanmar first compiled a list of the Nayanmars through his verses?

Sundarar.

Who compiled the 12-volume Shaivite canonical work known as Tirumurai?

Nambiyandavar Nambi.

Which regional religious movement in Karnataka was heavily influenced by the Nayanmars?

Virashaivism (or Lingayatism).

How many volumes make up the Tirumurai collection?

12 volumes.

Which figure illustrates four standing Nayanmar statues draped in white cloth?

The photograph showing four stone statues of Nayanmar saints in a shrine.

What divine manifestations are commonly associated with the lives of the Nayanmars?

Miracles.

What main religious tradition in South India did the Nayanmars help establish and spread?

Shaivism.

Which figure displays the grid depicting statues of all 63 Nayanmars?

The poster image presenting rows of bronze/gold-colored statues representing the 63 Nayanmars.

In which century did the Lingayat / Veerashaiva movement originate in Karnataka?

The 12th Century CE.

Who was the founding leader of the 12th-century Veerashaiva movement in Karnataka?

Basavanna.

Who were the Panchashakas of Odisha?

Five great poets of 12th to 15th/16th century Odisha who wrote in Odia and created transcreations of the Ramayana and Bhagavatha Purana.

What famous 12th-century Sanskrit poem was written by Jayadeva in Odisha?

Gitagovindam (featuring Ashtapadi and Madhurya Bhava).

How did the Panchashakas preach their devotional message to the masses in Odisha?

Through public Sankirtans.

What was the name of the 13th-century Vaishnavite sect in Maharashtra centered around Vithoba at Pandharpur?

The Warkaris (or Warkari movement).

Name four key Marathi saints of the Warkari tradition.

Namdev, Tukaram, Eknath, and Jnaneshwar.

Which female Marathi saint accepted Sant Tukaram as her guru?

Bahinabai.

What genre of short Marathi devotional poetry was popularized by Warkari saints?

Abhangs (and Bhajans).

Who was the 14th-century saint in the Gangetic Plains who popularized a personalized worship of Rama?

Sri Ramananda Acarya.

Who was the famous 14th-15th century disciple of Ramananda who founded Sant Mat and composed Dohas in Hindi?

Kabir (Sant Kabir).

Who was the 15th-16th century saint who spearheaded Bengal Vaishnavism?

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Who was the 15th-16th century founder of Sikhism in Punjab?

Guru Nanak.

Who was the prominent 14th-century female Shaivite mystic saint of Kashmir?

Lal Ded.

Who was the 15th-century saint who led the Bhakti movement in Assam?

Shankardeva.

Which figure in the notes shows Sant Tukaram seated with instruments?

The portrait image labeled "Sant Tukaram".

Which figure depicts a massive crowd gathering for the Warkari pilgrimage in Maharashtra?

The photograph showing the dense crowd during a Warkari procession.

Which figure shows Sri Swami Ramanandacharya Ji seated under a golden umbrella?

The portrait illustration of Sri Swami Ramanandacharya Ji holding a staff.

Which figure shows Sant Kabir wearing a peacock feather on his turban?

The portrait labeled "Sant Kabir".

Which figure depicts Guru Nanak seated in a yellow turban giving a blessing gesture?

The portrait painting of Guru Nanak.

What defines Nirguna Brahman in Bhakti philosophy?

Ultimate Reality without attributes or qualities, focused inward through Gnana Marga and Upanishadic Monism.

What defines Saguna Brahman in Bhakti philosophy?

God with personal form and qualities that can be understood, focused outward through Bhakti Marga and Puranic traditions.

Where does the concept of Saguna Brahman primarily originate?

In the Puranas.

Where does the concept of Nirguna Brahman primarily originate?

In Upanishadic Monism.

Which two Bhakti leaders are prominent examples of Nirguna Bhakti practice?

Kabir and Guru Nanak.

Which saint is a major representative of Saguna Bhakti in Bengal Vaishnavism?

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Name two saints whose compositions demonstrate a correlation between monism and monotheism.

Tulsidas and Namdev.

What two scriptural pairs correspond to Nigama and Agama in Hindu tradition?

Sruti and Smriti.

Was the Bhakti Movement a completely unified and homogenous movement across India?

No, it consisted of diverse, heterogeneous regional traditions, sects, and varied philosophical perspectives.

Which holy book of Sikhism includes verses from non-Sikh saints of various religious backgrounds?

Guru Granth Sahib (Grantsaheb).

What is the literal meaning of the name "Andal"?

"She who rules the Lord".

What is Andal's other name, meaning "She of the fragrant tresses"?

Kotai.

In what timeframe did Andal live?

After 800 CE.

What are the two major poetic works composed by Andal?

Thiruppavai and Natchiyar Tirumozhi (Nacciyar Tirumoli).

What is the central narrative setting of Andal's Thiruppavai?

The Pavai Vow set in Ayarpati, centered on Krishna.

With which prominent temple in Tamil Nadu are Andal's legend and daily rituals associated?

Srivilliputhur Andal Temple (one of the 108 Divya Desams).

What does the term "Nirattal" signify in Andal's poetry?

Bathing or spiritual immersion, with Krishna himself viewed as the sacred "Tirtha".

In Nacciyar Tirumoli, what items does Andal request to sustain her life?

Sacred basil, cool nectar from Krishna's flute, and dust from his footprints.

In Nacciyar Tirumoli Hymn 8 Verse 7, what does Andal ask Krishna to wipe away by staying with her for one day?

The saffron paste adorning her breasts.

What question does Andal address to the white conch regarding Madhavan's lips?

Whether his sacred lips smell of camphor or lotus bloom, and whether they taste sweet.

What heroic deed of Madhavan is mentioned in Andal's poem addressed to the conch?

He broke the elephant's tusk.

Which figure in the notes displays the exterior of the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple?

The photo labeled "SRIVILLIPUTHUR ANDAL TEMPLE".

What reward is promised in Nacciyar Tirumoli to those who recite Andal's garland of thirty songs faultlessly?

The grace of Tirumal will be upon them, and they will live in joy.

What were the birth and death dates recorded for Basavanna?

1106 to 1167/68 CE.

Who were Basavanna's foster parents, and what was their background?

Madiraja and Madambika, Shaivite Brahmins from Bagevadi in Bijapur district.

At what age did Basavanna reject Brahminical rituals, stating "Love of Shiva cannot live with rituals"?

At age 16 (following his initiation in 1114 CE).

Which sacred river confluence is located at Kudalasangama?

The confluence of the Krishna and Malaprabha rivers in Bagalkote district.

What signature name (ankita) did Basavanna dedicate his Vachanas to?

Kudalasangamadeva.

What is an Ishta Linga in the Veerashaiva tradition?

A personal linga worn directly on the body of a Lingayat devotee.

What is the core Lingayat spiritual principle expressed as "Kayakave Kailasa"?

Work is worship (or Labor is Heaven).

What was the Anubhava Mantapa established by Basavanna in Kalyana?

The Pavilion of Experience, which functioned as a Spiritual Parliament for Vachana poets.

What three elements constitute the Lingayat/Veerashaiva trinity?

Guru, Linga, and Jangama (considered three in one).

In Basavanna's Vachana 820, what metaphors are used for the human body as opposed to static temples built by the rich?

Legs are pillars, body is the shrine, head is a cupola of gold; "things standing shall fall, but the moving ever shall stay".

Where was Akka Mahadevi born?

Udutadi in Shivamogga district.

What divine signature name (ankita) did Akka Mahadevi adopt in her Vachanas?

Cennamallikarjuna ("The Lord White as Jasmine").

Who was the king/chieftain Akka Mahadevi was married to, whom she considered a "bhavi" (non-devotee)?

King Kausika.

In Vachana 114, how does Akka Mahadevi describe her conflict between worldly marriage and devotion?

"Husband inside, lover outside. I can't manage them both… I cannot hold in one hand both the round nut and the long bow."

In Vachana 93, how does Akka Mahadevi characterize all men other than her Lord?

As "thorn under the smooth leaf" who have "thorns in their chests".

How does Akka Mahadevi address modesty and clothing in Vachana 184?

She asks how one can be modest when the Lord's eye is looking everywhere in the world, making physical concealment meaningless.

In Vachana 328, who does Akka Mahadevi metaphorically identify as her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and maid?

Maya as mother-in-law, the world as father-in-law, and her mind as her maid.

What social injustice did Mirabai specifically rebel against in the Rajput region?

Injustice done to her as a woman by her family and kinship group, resisting practices like Sati and Jauhar.

Who was Mirabai's guru, who belonged to a marginalized lower caste?

Raidas (a Chamar saint).

How did Mirabai openly subvert traditional Rajput female modesty?

She wore taboo ghungroos (ankle bells) and danced publicly in the company of fellow bhakts.

How did female Bhakti saints differ from male Bhakti saints regarding marriage and domestic life?

Male saints could remain householders, whereas female saints stepped out of marriage, renounced family and material wealth, and had no children.

How did female Bhakti saints view their physical bodies and sexuality in their spiritual journey?

Their bodies were not a source of embarrassment, but the primary site and instrument through which devotion was expressed within bridal mysticism.