The Bhakti Poet Saints

Whilst Europe endured the Dark Ages in the 6th & 7th Centuries devotees of Shiva and Vishnu in Southern India were creating the Bhakti Movement. Some of these exponents, as in our volume, were bestowed with the title of saint but some had the additional title of sant, swami or goswami.Broadly speaking, Bhakti poetry, as in Hinduism itself, is divided into 'Nirguna', the idea that the divine is formless as exampled by Kabir and 'Saguna' which interprets the divine as having physical form as captured by Mirabai. The rapid spread, of the Bhakti movement, with its theme of love and devotion to God, proffered by these rebellious poet saints, did, over the following centuries, meld with much needed Hindu reforms and went to the heart of human existence. These 'God possessing' rather than 'God fearing' poets rejected hierarchies and intermediaries in their spiritual devotion and were critical of rules, regulations and ritual observances administered by Brahmin priests in the sacred but elitist court and temple Sanskrit. Their poems, in their local language, emphasised personal devotion as a route to salvation with kind deeds and a humble life rather than ritual mediation, stretched the fabric of society. They were all from lower castes and many were women giving the movement an egalitarian spirit that helped reinforce the message that god's love was all-encompassing for every person willing to surrender to the divine. Furthermore, their verse was accessible, simple, innovative with new poetic forms and often expressed in songs with a fierce passion and ecstasy that demonstrated the movement's focus on inner, mystical and authentic devotion and humility. Impromptu performances with provocative outbursts of singing and dancing in unconventional settings or public gatherings evolved into poetic presentations and community recitals as the rapid popularity of the movement spread. Although the language is every day and simple, many verses carry undercurrents of complex ideas, philosophical and psychological dilemmas, nuance and humour.1 - The Bhakti Poet Saints - An Introduction2 - His Ears Ringeth by Sambandar3 - Thiruppavi (An Extract) by Andal4 - Tiruvasiriyam by Nammalvar5 - Navada Bhakti in An Untainted Heart by Gangasati6 - Show Me Your Way Out by Akka Mahadevi7 - Would A Circling Surface Vulture by Akka Mahadevi8 - The True Name is Like Sandalwood by Namdev9 - Amrutanubhav (An Extract) by Dnyaneshwar10 - Vakh - If in the Flux of Time by Lal Ded11 - Vakh - They Who Have Gained Experience by Lal Ded12 - Acceptance by Janabai13 - Where Shall I Go by Ramananda14 - Vaishnav by Narsinh Mehta15 - Pointless It Is To Lament by Narsinh Mehta16 - Illusion and Reality by Kabir17 - Song 6 - The Moon by Kabir18 - I Laugh When I Hear That the Fish in the Water is Thirsty by Kabir19 - It is the Mercy of My True Guru by Kabir20 - Song 1 - Oh Servant Where Dost Thou Seek Me by Kabir21 - Song 69 - If God Be Within the Mosque by Kabir22 - The Light of the Sun by Kabir23 - You Are Me and I Am You by Ravidas24 - The Name Alone Is The Truth by Ravidas25 - How to Escape by Ravidas26 - Dhanasri Measure by Guru Nanak27 - Gauri Dipaki Measure by Guru Nanak28 - Shikshashtakam by Chaitanya29 - Mine is Gopal by Mirabai30 - Beloved Mohan by Mirabai31 - Mira is Steadfast by Mirabai32 - I Will Sing the Praises by Mirabai33 - O Deluded Ones by Mirabai34 - Enjoy the Company of True Saints by Mirabai35 - Listen by Mirabai36 - Sister Without the Lord I Cannot Carry On by Mirabai37 - Hanuman Chalisa by Tulsidas38 - To Arrange Words by Tukaram39 - The Secret of Peace by Tukaram40 - Drive Me Out of My Mind by Ramprasad Sen