Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contribution to Indian culture.

The term Bhakti refers to devotion. Bhakti literature which began to be composed in the 6th century AD in South India reflects a new form of devotion to God, a personal bond between the devotee and the deity.

Nature of the Bhakti Movement.

1. Use of Vernacular Language: The Bhakti saints did their entire teaching in the local vernacular language to make it comprehensible. E.g.: Bhattadeva had translated the Bhagavad Gita into Assamese.

2. Social Reform: The bhakti literature opposed caste rigidity, blind faiths, and social dogmas.

3. Simple approach to religion: The sophisticated philosophy of Vedas and Upanishads literature was difficult for people to understand. Bhakti literature formed an alternative.

4. Secular Nature: Although the bhakti literature was propagated by Hindu saints, it was tolerant to other religions.

Contribution to Indian Culture:

1. Religious Contribution: The movement aroused awakening among the Hindus and Muslims regarding the futility of ritualism.

2. Contribution to the regional languages: In the south, the Bhakti movement aided the establishment of regional languages such as Telugu and Kannada.

3. Socio-Political Contribution: The followers of the Bhakti movement rejected the caste distinction and emphasized on Equality.

4. Moral Contribution: It emphasized earning of wealth through hard work and honest means and encouraged the value of social service to the poor and the needy. 

The Bhakti literature definitely succeeded in realizing its two-fold objective i.e., bringing about reforms in Hinduism and developing harmonious relations between the Hindus and the Muslims. However, it further divided the Hindu society. For example, the followers of Kabir came to be known as Kabir Panthis. 

Development of the Literature: 

• South India: The Bhakti literature (7th to 10th century AD) was mostly in the Tamil poems of Alvars and Nayanars addressing Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva respectively. Example: Nammalvar, Andal.

• Mahabharata was translated into Telugu by Nannaya in the 11th century AD. This was considered as the beginning of literary work in Telugu.

• The kirtans written by the poet-saint Annamacharya on Lord Vishnu led to an increase in the popularity of Telugu.

• Vallabhacharya had enriched Telugu literature with his works like the Bhagavata Tika, Subodhami, etc.

• In Kannada, the trio of Pampa, Ponna, and Ranna had produced their works which contributed to the development of the language.

• North India: The literature was popularized in north India by Ramananda in the 12th century AD. Example: Tulsidas, Mirabai, Guru Nanak.

• Jayadeva's Gita Govinda is a popular devotional work on Lord Krishna. It is considered to be the most Sanskrit lyrical work of the Bhakti period. Its theme is the love between Lord Krishna and Radha. It laid the foundation for the growth of Bengali literature. His work represents a mix of passion, devotion, and lyricism.

• Mirabai's work includes over 1300 songs which symbolize passion, eroticism, and a complete surrender to her master Lord Krishna.

• The works of Narasimha Mehta, Bhalana, and Akho led to the growth of Gujarati literature under the influence of Vaishnava Bhakti.