Devotional Paths to the Divine Class 7 Notes: CBSE History Chapter 6

The Idea of a Supreme God

Before the emergence of large kingdoms, people were not only free to worship their gods and goddesses but were also brought together through the growth of towns, trade, and empires and also shared new ideas. The idea that all living things pass through countless cycles of birth and rebirth performing good deeds and bad came to be widely accepted. Besides that, the idea that all human beings are not equal even at birth gained ground during this period. People had believed that social privileges came with a child who was born in a noble family. Slowly people who were not comfortable with such concepts turned towards new religions like Buddhism and Jainism.

Nayanars and Alvars - New Kind of Bhakti in South India.

The 7th to 9th centuries saw the emergence of new religious movements, led by the Nayanars (saints devoted to Shiva) and Alvars (saints devoted to Vishnu) who came from all castes including those considered 'untouchable' like the Pulaiyar and the Panars but critical of the Buddhists and Jainas and preached ardent love of Shiva or Vishnu as the path to salvation.

The Nayanars and Alvars went from place to place composing exquisite poems in praise of the deities enshrined in the villages they visited and set them to music. Between the 10th and 12th centuries, the Chola and Pandya kings built elaborate temples around many of the shrines visited by the saint-poets, strengthening the links between the bhakti tradition and temple worship.

Philosophy and Bhakti

Shankara

Shankara, one of the most influential philosophers of India, was born in Kerala in the 18th century. He advocates Advaita or the doctrine of the oneness of the individual soul and the Supreme God that declares that there is but Ultimate Reality, that the individual self and the Brahman are one. He opines that the reality of the world is then relative as opposed to the absolute nature of Brahman. He considered that the world is an illusion or maya and preached renunciation of the world and adoption of the path of knowledge to understand the true nature of Brahman and attain salvation.

Ramanujan

In the 11th century, Ramanujan was born in Tamil Nadu. Alvars swayed him. He stated that one could get salvation through an intense dedication of God Vishnu.He propounded the doctrine of Vishishtadvaita or qualified oneness in that the soul even when united with the Supreme God remained distinct. Ramanuja's doctrine greatly inspired the new strand of bhakti which developed in north India subsequently.

Basavanna’s  Virashaivism

The connection between the Tamil bhakti movement and temple worship, in turn, led to a reaction that is best represented in the Virashaiva movement initiated by Basavanna and his companions like Allama Prabhu and Akkamahadevi. This movement began in Karnataka in the mid-12th century. The Virashaivas argued strongly for the equality of all human beings and against Brahmanical ideas about caste and the treatment of women. They were also against all forms of ritual and idol worship.

The Saints of Maharashtra

During the 13th to 17th century, Maharashtra saw several saint poets who sang Marathi songs and inspired many people. The most important among them were Dnyaneshwar (Gyaneshwar), Namdev, Eknath, and Tukaram as well as women like Sakhubai and the family of Chokhamela, who belonged to the “untouchable” Mahar caste. These saint-poets rejected all forms of ritualism, outward display of piety, and social differences based on birth.

Nathpanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis

A number of religious groups that emerged during this period criticised the ritual and other aspects of conventional religion and the social order, using simple, logical arguments. Notables among them were the Nathpanthis, Siddhacharas, and Yogis. They advocated renunciation of the world & which can be achieved by intense training of the mind and body through practices like yogasanas, breathing exercises, and meditation.

Islam and Sufism

• Sufis were Muslim mystics.

• They rejected outward religiosity and emphasised love and devotion to God and compassion towards all fellow human beings.

• Muslim scholars developed a holy law called Shariat.

• A large number of Sufis from Central Asia settled in Hindustan from the 11th century onwards. This process was strengthened with the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate when several major Sufi centres developed all over the subcontinent.

• They developed elaborate methods of training using zikr (chanting of a name or sacred formula), contemplation, sama(singing), raqs (dancing), discussion of parables, breath control, etc. under the guidance of a master or pir.

New Religious Development in North India

• The period after the 13th century saw a new wave of the bhakti movement in North India. 

• Kabir and Baba Guru Nanak rejected all orthodox religions.

• Tulsidas and Surdas accepted existing beliefs and practices but wanted to make these accessible to all.

• Tulsidas conceived of God in the form of Rama. Tulsidas's composition, the Ramcharitmanas, written in Awadhi (a language used in Eastern Uttar Pradesh), is important both as an expression of his devotion and as a literary work.

• Surdas was an ardent devotee of Krishna. His compositions, compiled in the  Sursagara, Surasaravali, and Sahitya Lahari, express his devotion.

• Shankaradeva of Assam (late 15th century) who emphasised devotion to Vishnu, and composed poems and plays in Assamese. He began the practice of setting up namghars or houses of recitation and prayer, a practice that continues to date.

• Mirabai was a Rajput princess married into the royal family of Mewar in the sixteenth century. Mirabai became a disciple of Ravidas, a saint from a caste considered “untouchable”. She was devoted to Krishna and composed innumerable bhajans expressing her intense devotion.

Kabir

• Kabir, who probably lived in the fifteenth-sixteenth centuries, was one of the most influential saints.

• He was brought up in a family of Muslim julahas or weavers settled in or near the city of Benares (Varanasi).

• Kabir believed in a formless Supreme God and preached that the only path to salvation was through bhakti or devotion. Kabir drew his followers from among both Hindus and Muslims.

Baba Guru Nanak (1469-1539)

• Born at Talwandi (Nankana Sahib in Pakistan), he traveled widely before establishing a centre at Kartarpur (Dera Baba Nanak on the river Ravi).

• Before his death in 1539, Baba Guru Nanak appointed one of his followers as his successor. His name was Lehna but he came to be known as Guru Angad, signifying that he was a part of Baba Guru Nanak himself.

• Guru Angad compiled the compositions of Baba Guru Nanak, to which he added his own in a new script known as Gurmukhi.

• By the beginning of the seventeenth century, the town of Ramdaspur (Amritsar) had developed around the central Gurdwara called Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple).

5 Important Topics of Class 7 History Chapter 6 Devotional Paths to the Divine

Importance of Class 7 History Chapter 6 Devotional Paths to the Divine

• Revision notes help us quickly understand and remember key concepts before exams.

• They save time by focusing on essential information and skipping unnecessary details.

• These notes simplify complex topics, making them easier to understand and use.

• They provide practical examples that show how theoretical knowledge is used in real-life situations.

• Revision notes ensure thorough preparation by covering all important topics in a structured manner.

• They increase confidence by clearly understanding what to expect in exams.

• Accessible formats like PDFs allow for easy studying anytime and anywhere.

Tips for Learning the Class 7 History Chapter 6 Devotional Paths to the Divine

• Focus on understanding the Bhakti and Sufi movements, as they are central to the chapter.

• Learn key saints and poets, such as Kabir and Guru Nanak, who played a significant role in these devotional paths.

• Understand how these movements influenced Indian society and culture, making connections with other historical events you've studied.

• Create a timeline to remember when and where different devotional traditions emerged.

• Relate the concepts to real-life examples or current events to make them easy and more understandable.

Conclusion

The Revision Notes for Class 7 History Ch 6 Notes on "Devotional Paths to the Divine" by Vedantu provide a clear and concise understanding of the various devotional movements in India. These notes highlight the significance of the Bhakti and Sufi traditions, along with their impact on Indian culture and society. By summarising key concepts and figures, the notes make it easier for students to grasp the essence of the chapter. Whether you're preparing for exams or revising key topics, these notes are a valuable resource to reinforce your learning and ensure a solid understanding of the chapter's content.

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