INTERSECTION OF BELIEF AND LOGIC: A STUDY OF BHAKTI PHILOSOPHY IN INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KABIR AND GURU NANAK

In Indian History​​​, secular ideology and Bhakti philosophy have developed in parallel​​​. At times,​​​ secular thought emphasized humanism and the well-being of people in this life​​​. It embraced a scientific outlook on life​​​. Despite the growth of Jainism and Buddhism alongside Hinduism,​​​ there was more harmony than conflict among them​​​. Ancient India was characterized by tolerance and mutual regard among these faiths​​​. Following the different influences in India, a distinctive form of philosophy surfaced from the works and teachings of societal intellectuals. Their core focus revolved around promoting welfare and combating all forms of bias. The notable era is marked by a movement known as the Bhakti movement, which greatly contributed to confronting prejudices and advocating for societal transformation. The brave and resolute Bhakti thinkers actively opposed discrimination, serving as a source of inspiration for generations to come. Their role in promoting societal transformation is a testament to the power of philosophical thought. In this scenario, the 'Person' carried weight as the nation, religious group, and community did. The Bhakti philosophical thinkers who aimed to strike an equilibrium among individuals' roles within society and sects confirm this philosophical tenant. The distinct character of this new philosophical thought was that it concentrated on the secular well-being of an individual. The paper examines the intertwined development of secular ideology and the Bhakti Philosophy by separating it into two eras. The initial phase could cover the period from the 4th century, the period of Bhāgavad Gita to the thirteenth century, broadly when Islam started spreading into the country's heartlands. The second era, spanning from the 13th to the 16th century, was a period of intellectual growth due to the interaction between Islam and Hinduism. Secularism emphasizes the coexistence of beliefs and perspectives within society. Bhakti Philosophy promotes devotion and spiritual connection through love and faith. Humanism prioritizes the value and dignity of all individuals. Universal love transcends boundaries and Embraces humanity as a whole. The study adopted an analytic methodology by analyzing primary and secondary sources. The study concludes by exploring the philosophical tenets of Kabir and Guru Nanak to understand, and asses their contribution to the development of Bhakti thought. By analyzing and evaluating the Bhakti Philosophical thinking that appeared at different periods in Indian History, the study reveals the intertwinement between Logic and Belief in Indian Philosophical thinking.