The Hindu Bhakti tradition, which began in South India around the 7th century CE, was championed by poet-saints such as the Alvars and Nayanars, who composed devotional hymns like the Tiruvaymoli and Tiruvacakam that emphasized personal devotion to Vishnu and Shiva. Later, figures like Ramanuja (11th century) expanded the movement by integrating Bhakti with Vedantic philosophy, while the 15th-century saint Kabir and 16th-century poet-saint Mirabai popularized the tradition in North India, advocating for devotion beyond caste and religious boundaries. These leaders’ works and messages, centered on the accessibility of divine grace to all, significantly influenced India’s religious and cultural landscape.
Bhaktiशास्त्र** Śāstra - Hindu Scriptures