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One of the saints― Namadeva a tailor, belonged to low caste. Chokhamela, a member
of a community considered untouchable, was a Varakari poet of Pandharpur. He advised
his followers to share in the pain of others. His wife and sons also composed poetry.

Chokhamela was denied access to the Vitthala temple.
naThPanThis, siddhacharas and yOgis

They were the religious groups that criticised prevalent rituals and unequal social order.
According to them, meditation on the formless Brahma and the realisation of oneness with
him leads to salvation. That is, to achieve salvation, they advocated intense training of
the mind and body through practices like Yogasanas, breathing exercises and meditation.
These groups became popular particularly among lower castes.

bhaKTi mOvemenT in nOrTh india

The Fourteenth century was an age when Islam, Brahmanical Hinduism and Sufish influenced
the people of India.
Even people also adopted new professions especially crafts persons, peasants, traders and
labourers showed interests in new saints and their ideas. Some of them like Kabir and Baba Guru
Nanak rejected all orthodox religions. Others like Tulsidas and Surdas accepted existing beliefs.

tulsidas

Tulsidas was born in Rajpur, in the district of Banda in Uttar Pradesh, in
1532. He was by birth regarded as an incarnation of Valmiki, the author of
Ramayana written in Sanskrit.
Tulsidas did not cry at the time of his birth. He was born with all the thirty-
two teeth intact. In childhood, his name was Tulsiram or Ram Bola. Tulsidas
Tulsidas wrote tweleve books. The most famous book is his Ramayan—‘Ram Charit Manas’
in Hindi. He wrote this book under the directions of Hanuman. This Ramayan is read and
worshipped with great reverence in every Hindu home in northern India. It is an inspiring
book. It contains sweet couplets in beautiful rhyme. Vinaya Patrika is another important
book written by Tulsidas.

suRdas

Surdas was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. His exemplary works include
Sursagara, Surasarvali and Sahitya Lahari.
Surdas Attains Fame : Surdas lilting music and fine poetry attracted many
laurels. As his fame spread far and wide, the Mughal emperor Akbar (1542-
1605) became his patron. Surdas spent the last years of his life in Braj, the
place of his birth and lived on the donations, which he received
in return of his Bhajan singing and lecturing on religious topic Surdas
until he died in 1586.

Ravidas

He was a great saint who belonged to a caste considered untouchable. He
Ravidas was ardent devotee of Lord Krishna.

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