Devotionalism in the Cultural and Social Spheres of India: Popular and Monastic Aspects of Hinduism in History

Popular Hinduism can be understood by examining into the institution of the Guru, name the Hindu monastery or matha. Gurus are held in great respect due to their wisdom, exemplary behavior, and spiritual knowledge. The gurus as heads of Hindu monasteries are ascetics and are considered to have performed miracles With the growth of Hindu monasteries during the medieval period, particularly of Vedanta mathas in South India, bhakti (devotion) began to grow among the populace as a major attitude towards the guru as well as towards God. Vaisnavite Vedanta monastic establishments, particularly of Ramanuja and Madhwacharya redefined as devotion towards the guru whose spiritual stature was similar to that of God. This article investigates into the reconciliation of two opposing concepts, asceticism and bhakti. It queries into the phenomenon of the ways the ascetic head of Vaisnavite Vedanta monastery redefined, redirected or re-intepreted bhakti into the monastic norms of asceticism, teaching and spirituality. What were the changes in doctrine, worship, and imagery within the monastery that attracted numerous devotees? What were the reasons for bhakti to become an intrinsic part of the religious doctrine of the guru and of his institution, the matha?