Bhakti, sufi and Medieval Poetry as Social Reform

                 Reformation means to change for the better in social or political or religious Bhakti and Sufi movement was very important movement in medieval poetry. It was important and powerful tool for spiritual revolution as well as social reform. In medieval Indian society was divided into caste system, religious custom and gender discrimination. In that period in Hindu Culture Brahmins was high caste of people and Christens belives that priests are higher than any other people. Religious leaders could connect with god. The common people was suffering from poverty, superstitions and gender discrimination as well as casteism but Bhakti Saints as well as Sofi poets used poetry and songs in local languages to spread message of peaceness, love, equality is important in social life.The bhakti poets Saint Kabir (Kabir ke Dohe) Mirabai (Devotee of Krishna) Tukaram 17^th century Marathi poet, Hindu saint and follower of Lord Shri Vithhal, also known in Maharashtra as Tuka, Tukobaraya and Tukoba ) These all belived that God lives in every heart. They rejected Casteism, Worship of Idol, Religious rituals. That period of poetry was very emotional and devotional. They taught us true religious is not in idol and temples. God lives in each and every heart. Compassion and helping to others is very important. In this way saint express their devotion to God. Sufi poets Rumi, Saint Kabir, Amir khusrau, Omar Khayyam, Yunus Emre, Ibn Arabi, Baba Farid, Nizamuddin Auliya, Bulleh Shah spoke about divine love to god. They used Metaphors to show love between man and god. Bulleh Shah’s Punjabi kafis are very famous that taught us real worship of god. He criticized both Hindu and Muslim orthodoxy culture. Together, Bhakti and Sufi poets and poetry changed peoples way of thinking about religion and society with simple language and great devotion. These poets brought spirituality, tolerance, gender equality as well as social equality. Their message inspire in modern times. Thus, bhakti and sufi poetry in the medieval period was bridge between man and god and voice for love and humanity.