List of Saints and Teachers of the Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti Movement was the outcome of rigidity in religion and the objects of worship. The Bhakti Movement Saints and teachers belonged to various backgrounds, but mainly from the lower castes. They strongly preach the need for tolerance among humans and religions. It became popular just because this movement challenged the caste system and superiority of Brahamana

List of Saints and Teachers of the Bhakti Movement

Saints and teachers of the Bhakti Movement	Contribution
Shankara (788 - 820 AD)	1. Integrated the essence of Buddhism in Hindu thought and interpreted the ancient Vedic religion 2. Consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta
Ramanuja (1017-1137 A.D)	1. Exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism 2. Literary works: Traditionally 9 Sanskrit texts, including Vedartha Sangraham, Sri Bhashyam, Gita Bhashyam 3. Propagator of Vishishtadvaita Vedanta or qualified monism
Basava (12th Century)	1. Founder of the Lingayats 2. Literary works: Vachana Sahitya in Kannada Language 3. Propagator of shakthi Visishtadvaita
Madhva (1238-1319 AD)	1. Broke away from the doctrine of unity of God and the human soul prevalent at the time 2. He preached "Dvaita" or dualism, where the divinity was separate from the human conscience
Ramanada (15th century)	1. Founder of Sant-parampara (literally, the tradition of bhakti saints) in north India 2. Disciple(s): 2 poetess-saints and 10 poet-saints including Kabir, Ravidas, Bhagat Pipa, Sukhanand 3. Literary works: Gyan-lila and Yog-cintamani (Hindi),Vaisnava Mata Bhajabhaskara and Ramarcana paddhati (Sanskrit)
Kabir (1440-1510 AD)	1. Disciple of Ramananda 2. He believed in formless God. 3. He was the first to reconcile Hinduism and Islam.
Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1538 AD)	1.  Founder of Sikhism religion 2. Opposes idol worship and caste system, and taught worship of one God through prayer and meditation.
Purandara (15th century)	1. One of the chief founding-proponents of the South Indian classical music (Carnatic Music). 2. He is often quoted as Karnataka Sangeeta Pitamaha
Dadu Dayal (1544-1603 AD)	1. Disciple of Kabir 2. He was a supporter of Hindu-Muslim unity 3. His followers were called Dadu Panthis
Chaitanya (1468-1533 AD)	1. Founder of modern Vaishnavism in Bengal 2. Popularized Kirtan
Shankaradeva (1499-1569 AD)	1. Spread the Bhakti cult in Assam
Vallabhacharya (1479-1531 AD)	1. Exponent of Krishna cult 2. He worshipped Krishna under the title "Srinathji"
Surdas (1483-1563 AD)	1. Disciple of Vallabhacharya 2. Showed intense devotion to Radha and Krishna 3. Regarded as the outstanding devotional poet in Brajbhasha
Mirabai (1498-1563 AD)	1. Staunch devotee of Lord Krishna 2. Composed number of songs and poems in honour of Krishna.
Haridas (1478-1573 AD)	1. A great musician saint who sang the glories of Lord Vishnu
Tulasidas (1532-1623 AD)	1. Depicted Rama as the incarnation 2. Wrote Ramcharitmanas
Namdeva (1270-1309 AD)	1. Disciple of Vishoba Khechar 2. He was a devotee of Vittoba (Vishnu)
Jnanesvar (1275-1296 AD)	1. Wrote "Jnaneswari", a commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita
Eknath	1. Wrote commentary on verses of the Bhagavad-Gita 2. Devotee of Vithoba
Tukaram	1. Contemporary of Maratha king Shivaji 2. Devotee of Vithal 3. He founded the Varkau sect 4. His teachings are contained in Abhangas.
Ram Das	1. Author of Dasabodh 2. His teachings inspired Shivaji to establish an independent kingdom in Maharashtra.

In the above list of Saints and Teachers of the Bhakti Movement will enhance the general knowledge of the readers.