Before we begin with understanding this topic, we must first gain insights into what “Bhakti/Bhakti Literature” actually means. “Bhakti” is a Sanskrit word that translates to “devotion” or “devoted worship” in English. Bhakti Literature refers to a genre of Indian devotional literature that emerged in the medieval period, from the 6th to the 18th centuries. The nature of Bhakti Literature is characterized by its focus on devotion to a personal deity and its emphasis on the experience of divine love. This genre of literature is also known for its emotional intensity and its emphasis on the devotion of the devotee to the deity.

Bhakti Literature has its roots in the Bhakti movement, which was a spiritual revival movement that spread across India in the medieval period. The movement was characterized by its focus on the personal devotion of the individual to the deity, as opposed to the ritualistic worship that was prevalent in the Hindu religion at the time. The Bhakti movement was a response to the societal and religious tensions that existed in medieval India and was a way for people to express their devotion to a higher power in a way that was meaningful to them.

The Bhakti movement had a profound impact on Indian culture and society, and Bhakti Literature played a significant role in this. Bhakti Literature was written in a variety of regional languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and Sanskrit, making it accessible to a wide range of people. The accessibility allowed the Bhakti message of devotion and love to reach a large audience, and it helped to spread the Bhakti movement throughout India.

One of the key contributions of Bhakti Literature to Indian culture is its emphasis on the devotional experience. Bhakti Literature is filled with stories and poems that describe the intense love and devotion that the devotee feels for the deity. This focus on the devotional experience helped to bring a more personal and emotional aspect to Hindu worship, and it allowed people to connect with the deity on a deeper level. The devotional experience that is described in Bhakti Literature also had a profound impact on the way that people viewed the deity, and it helped to promote the idea that the deity was approachable and compassionate.

Bhakti Literature also played a role in promoting the idea of equality and inclusiveness in Indian society. The Bhakti movement was inclusive of people from all castes and social classes, and Bhakti Literature reflected this. The literature often featured stories of devotees from all walks of life, and it emphasized the idea that devotion to the deity was available to everyone, regardless of their social status or background. This emphasis on inclusiveness helped to challenge the caste system that was prevalent in India at the time and helped to promote the idea of equality.

Another important contribution of Bhakti Literature to Indian culture is its influence on the arts. Bhakti Literature was often accompanied by music, and it played a role in the development of devotional music in India. Bhakti Literature also influenced visual arts and many paintings and sculptures from the medieval period depict scenes from Bhakti Literature. The impact of Bhakti Literature on the arts helped to spread the Bhakti message and to bring the devotional experience to life for those who were not able to read the literature themselves.

Finally, Bhakti Literature has had a lasting impact on Indian Literature as a whole. Bhakti Literature was written in a variety of regional languages, and it helped to preserve and promote these languages. Additionally, Bhakti Literature has inspired countless other works of literature and has helped to shape the way that people view love and devotion.

To conclude, Bhakti Literature is a genre of Indian devotional literature that emerged in the medieval period.