1. The Vaishnavite Movement (1200-1500)
1.1. Background
1.2. Reasons for Vaishnavite Movement
1.3. Method of Worship
1.4. Conclusion
2. Shaivism
2.1. Early Origins and Historical Development
2.2. Canonical Texts and Theological Literature
2.3. Philosophical Schools within Shaivism
2.4. Ritual Practice and Forms of Worship
2.5. Iconography and Symbolism
2.6. Cultural Influence and Regional Traditions
2.7. Shaivism and Other Religious Traditions
2.8. Conclusion
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Topic – Vaishnavism and Shaivism (Notes)
Subject – History
(Early Medieval Indian History)
Table of Contents
The Vaishnavite Movement (1200–1500)
Background
- The Vaishnavite movement began prior to Chaitanya, primarily through Vaishnavite lyrics written by pre-Chaitanya poets, primarily Chandidas (14th century) and Vidyapatis (1380-1460).
- Chaitanya brought a new dimension to the movement, which grew into a social movement under his leadership.
- Although there was already a religion in Hinduism based on love and devotion to the divine, Chaitanya transformed it into a new religion by incorporating ideas from Sufi philosophy about liberal humanism and social equality.
- He took the concepts of Jivatma (the human soul) and Paramatma (the eternal soul) and added the concept of Dvaitadvaita tattva or the simultaneous diversity and unity of God and soul.
- According to this belief, Radha is the personification of Krishna’s ecstatic power. So, while they are two in physical form, they are essentially one.
- Radha and Krishna’s love is a manifestation of their desire to become one, demonstrating that the human soul can achieve union with the eternal soul through love and devotion.
- The Vaishnavite movement is distinguished by its deep respect for gurus and total surrender to them. Among the Vaishnavite, women were also accepted as gurus.
- Their philosophic beliefs were of Vedantic monism that emphasised God’s fundamental unity with the created world.
- Some important saints of the Vaishnavite movement were Narsinh Mehta in Gujarat, Meera in Rajasthan, Surdas in western Uttar Pradesh, and Chaitanya in Bengal and Orissa.
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