Mysticism across Boundaries: Vernacular Devotional Expressions in Indian Spiritual Traditions

Author(s): Dr. Jabbar Ahmed

Abstract:

The Bhakti, Sufi, and Sant traditions of medieval India collectively represent a profound spiritual and cultural movement that redefined mysticism through the use of vernacular languages. Rejecting the exclusivity of Sanskrit, Arabic, and Persian, these traditions articulated devotional and mystical experiences in regional tongues, thereby democratizing spiritual knowledge and fostering social inclusivity. This paper examines the role of vernacular devotional expressions in shaping mysticism as a trans-boundary spiritual discourse within Indian spiritual traditions. Concentrating on the Bhakti, Sufi, and Sant movements of medieval India, the study explores how the articulation of mystical experience in regional languages enabled sacred knowledge to move across religious, social, and linguistic boundaries. By conducting a comparative examination of foundational devotional writings by Amir Khusro, Bulleh Shah, Kabir, and Mirabai, the research contends that vernacular mysticism served as a means of spiritual democratization and as a cultural activity that promoted interfaith dialogue and societal unity. By prioritizing personal experience above established teachings, these traditions contributed to the formation of an inclusive spiritual ethos that continuous to impact India’s varied cultural heritage.

keywords:
Bhakti, Sufi, and Sant Traditions, Devotional Literature, Trans-boundary Spirituality, & Vernacular Mysticism

Pages: 76-78     |    14 View     |    1 Download