Bhakti
sampradaya: It is related to devotion towards Gods. Common
man who was not capable of understanding the nature of universe and the
super power of God had no interest in various theories related to them
and their differences of opinion. The roots of Bhakti lies in Vedic period
where prayers of God in the form of verses are mentioned. The form of
God changed over a period of time.
Principles related to bhakti are as follows: Aim of life is to
relate to the God. It is neither the accumulation of wealth nor salvation.
It is achievable only by devotion and love for God, not by any other means
such as mastering veda, yoga, denation etc. Bhakti does not insist on
presupposition related to gender, age, qualification, etc.
It is the easiest form to follow. It is easier to worship a symbol which
is related to human form with minor modifications as to head of different
animal, number of hands and related powers of God. It acquired large followership
throughout India.
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The
Bhakti can be perfomed in various different way.The symbol
of God can be of different forms. Hence Vedic deities were
unified in groups or new forms of deities were generated
around which the devotional sect was formed Some of the
prominent sects are:
Shaivism:Devotion
to god Shiva and its various forms since prevedic age such
as Hara, Shiva, Rudra, Mahadeva, etc.
Vaishnavism: Devotion to god Vishnu, in various different
reincarnations. Ten reincarnations, specially in near-human
form such as Rama, Krishna etc.
Bhagawat sampradaya : It is mainly a sect of devotees
of Vithala or Panduranga and unification of various sects.
Datta sampradaya : Devotees of unified God of
Shiva, Vishnu. Some of the streams from Nath sampradaya
and sect equivalent to sufis also contributed to this sect.
Mahanubhava: Devotees of Krishna, founded by
Swami Chakradhara in Maharashtra.
Nath sampradaya: Founded by Machindra Nath, and
propagated by nine genrations of Gurus,mainly associated
with devotion coupled with Ha thayoga.
Ramdas sampradaya: Founded by Samarth Ramdas
swami. They are mainly devotees of Rama (and subsequently
his ardent follower- God Hanuman.)
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