Trace the genesis of the Bhakti movement.

Bhakti is an age-old concept. Right from the time of the compilation of the Vedas, the word Bhakti has come into vogue. In Rig Veda Samhita, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Chhandyoga Upanishad, Katha and Kausitaki Upanishad, the word Bhakti has been referred to several times. The Bhakti Yoga of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is more descriptive on this point. It prescribes Gnana (knowledge), Karma (action) and Bhakti (devotion) as the three essential features to shatter the bondage of material world and to serve the Almighty God. Thus, Bhakti is one of the three recognized means of achieving salvation.

The movement started in the 9th century A.D. by Shankaracharya which continued up to 16th century A.D. by a number of Hindu devotees, preachers and religious reformers.

The genesis of the Bhakti movement lies in the social evils prevalent in the then Hindu society. During the time of Muslim rule in India, the Hindu society was full of many social anomalies like rigidity of caste system, irrelevant rituals and religious practices, blind faiths and social dogmas. The society also suffered from polytheism, segregation, severe economic disparity due to casteism, untouchability etc.

The religion itself was monopolized by the Brahmans who at times led a degenerated and corrupt moral life. Common men in general had developed an averse attitude towards these social evils and were in need of a liberal form of religion where they could identify themselves with simple religious practices. Therefore, popular dissatisfaction against the existing social religious evils was a major catalyst behind the spread of Bhakti movement all over India for a long period of time.

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