Ch 06 - T6: BHAKTI –SUFI TRADITIONS: Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts (c. 8th to 18th centuries)12th Themes in Indian History
Great vs. Little Traditions
Who coined the terms 'Great' and 'Little' traditions, and what do they signify in the context of Indian cultural history?
Who coined the terms 'Great' and 'Little' traditions, and what do they signify in the context of Indian cultural history?
Robert Redfield's Cultural Framework
- Coined by: Sociologist Robert Redfield in the 20th century to describe cultural practices in peasant societies.
- Great Tradition: Rituals and customs emanating from dominant, elite social categories such as priests and rulers.
- Little Tradition: Local, regional folk practices followed by peasants that did not necessarily correspond with the dominant Great Tradition.
- Interaction: These traditions influenced each other over time through a process of synthesis. For example, local village goddesses were often integrated into the broader Puranic Hindu pantheon.
Prism Memory Hook
Redfield Read the Rituals.
The Cult of Jagannatha
How does the deity Jagannatha at Puri exemplify the sociological concept of 'Integration of Cults'?
How does the deity Jagannatha at Puri exemplify the sociological concept of 'Integration of Cults'?
From Tribal Deity to Universal God
- Origin: Originally, the deity was a local spirit or god carved from wood by local tribal specialists.
- Integration: By the 12th century, Brahmanical traditions absorbed this local cult. The principal deity was identified as Jagannatha (Lord of the World), a form of the principal Hindu deity Vishnu.
- Visual Synthesis: Unlike traditional classical stone sculptures of Vishnu, Jagannatha is depicted in a unique wooden form with large, round eyes. This visually demonstrates the synthesis of local tribal practices and elite Sanskritic traditions.
Prism Memory Hook
Jagannatha is Joined Gods, combining Tribal wood with Vishnu.
Tantric Worship Characteristics
What were the distinguishing features of Tantric practices in early medieval India compared to orthodox Vedic norms?
What were the distinguishing features of Tantric practices in early medieval India compared to orthodox Vedic norms?
Tantricism vs. Vedic Orthodoxy
- Deity Focus: Tantric worship was typically associated with the worship of the Goddess (Devi).
- Social Inclusivity: Unlike Vedic traditions which often restricted participation, Tantric practices were open to both men and women. Practitioners frequently ignored traditional caste and class boundaries.
- Theological Conflict: Tantric followers often ignored or outright rejected the supreme authority of the Vedas. This led to ideological conflicts with orthodox Vedic proponents who valued strict adherence to sacrifices and mantras.
Prism Memory Hook
Tantric is Totally Open, with no caste or gender barriers.
Also in this chapter
48 more cards to study in Prism
- 4Saguna vs. Nirguna Bhakti
- 5Timeline of Bhakti-Sufi Saints
- 6Alvars and Nayanars
- 7The Tamil Veda
- 8Tevaram
- 9Andal: The Beloved of Vishnu
- 10Karaikkal Ammaiyar: The Ascetic
- 11Manikkavachakar
- 12Chola Patronage of Bhakti
- 13Parantaka I and Metal Images
- 14Basavanna and the Virashaivas
- 15Lingayat Beliefs: Rebirth and Burial
- 16Lingayat Social Reforms
- 17Vachanas
- 18Naths, Jogis, and Siddhas
- 19Shankaradeva of Assam
- 20Mirabai's Defiance
- 21The Three Traditions of Kabir
- 22Kabir's Ultimate Reality
- 23Ba-sharia vs. Be-sharia
- 24Ulatbansi
- 25Baba Guru Nanak's Philosophy
- 26Consolidation of Sikhism
- 27The Five Symbols of Khalsa
- 28Mlechchha
- 29Pre-colonial Names for Muslims
- 30The Five Pillars of Islam
- 31Zimmi and Jizya
- 32The Ulama
- 33Khojahs and Ginans
- 34Universal vs. Local Mosque Architecture
- 35Origins of Sufism
- 36Malfuzat, Maktubat, Tazkiras
- 37Khanqah and Silsila
- 38Ziyarat and Urs
- 39Kashf-ul-Mahjub
- 40Suhrawardi vs. Chishti Lifestyle
- 41The Five Great Chishti Saints
- 42Life in the Chishti Khanqah
- 43Amir Khusrau and the Qaul
- 44Sufi Language and Poetry
- 45Be-sharia Groups
- 46Dakhani Sufi Poetry
- 47Sufis and the State
- 48Akbar and the Church in Khambat
- 49Data Ganj Bakhsh
- 50Aurangzeb and the Jogi
- 51Baba Farid in the Guru Granth Sahib
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12th Themes in Indian History
The remaining 48 cards of Ch 06 - T6: BHAKTI –SUFI TRADITIONS: Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts (c. 8th to 18th centuries) are available in the Aspira Prism App with full interactive study tools, spaced repetition, and memory hooks.
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