Introduction

Bhakti literature emerged between the 8th and 17th centuries, advocating devotion to a personal deity over ritualistic practices. It revolutionized Indian culture by promoting spiritual inclusivity and social harmony.

Body

1.Nature of Bhakti Literature

i.Devotional Focus: Centred on love and surrender to deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and the Mother Goddess. Example: Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas extolled Lord Rama's virtues.

ii.Regional Vernaculars: Written in languages like Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Bengali, making spirituality accessible to the masses. Example: Alvars and Nayanars composed hymns in Tamil.

iii.Emotionally Rich: Emphasized love (prem) and divine union over ritualistic orthodoxy.

2.Contribution to Indian Culture