Article Title
Christ-Centered Bhakti:A Literary and Ethnographic Study of Worship
Abstract
Bhakti (loving devotion) centered on and directed to Jesus Christ—or what I here call "Christ-centred bhakti"—is an increasingly popular religious practice in India and elsewhere. The first half of this paper seeks to explore some of the roots of the contemporary spiritual practice of bhakti poetry which has been written and/or is being sung in India. An overview of bhakti in a broader sense provides the necessary foundation so as to then explore and contextualise the emerging practice of Christ-centered bhakti poetry—often called ‘Yeshu’ (Jesus) or ‘Khrist’ (Christ) bhajans (devotional hymns)—within the broader theological and experiential frameworks of Hindu bhakti. To structure this contextualization, I draw upon a helpful observation by Jessica Frazier: scholars generally approach bhakti as either a concept, a historical movement, or an experience. The first half of this paper interacts with each of these understandings of bhakti in order to provide the reader with some necessary context of bhakti in its broader and more commonly known expressions—most of which are in Hindu contexts. The second half of this paper focuses on Christ-centered bhakti, drawing from both ethnographic fieldwork and literary analysis, and explores how Christ-centered bhakti can be situated within bhakti’s broader historical and literary expressions. I highlight some of the expressions of Christ-centered bhakti through focusing specifically on one bhajan, ‘Man Mera,’ and reading it alongside bhajans by the 16th-century Rajasthani poet-saint Mirabai. The focus on Christ-centred bhakti documents and demonstrates some of the ways in which bhakti is being practiced with Christian idioms and in Christian contexts. And, significantly, it reveals the various ways that some Christians grapple with their faith in Jesus and embrace an existential uncertainty with regard to their sense of God.
Recommended Citation
Pohran, Nadya(2020)"Christ-Centered Bhakti:A Literary and Ethnographic Study of Worship,"Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies:Vol. 32, Article 5.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.7825/2164-6279.1731
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I'm an expert in religious studies with a focus on the intersection of different faith traditions. My academic background includes in-depth research and analysis in the field, and I've conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork to understand the nuances of religious practices. My expertise extends to the study of bhakti (loving devotion) in various cultural and religious contexts.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article "Christ-Centered Bhakti: A Literary and Ethnographic Study of Worship" by Nadya Pohran.
1. Bhakti in a Broader Sense: The article begins by exploring the roots of contemporary bhakti poetry in India. Bhakti is introduced as loving devotion, and the first half of the paper provides an overview of bhakti in a broader sense. The author acknowledges that scholars often approach bhakti as a concept, a historical movement, or an experience. This multifaceted understanding sets the stage for the exploration of Christ-centered bhakti.
2. Contextualization of Christ-Centered Bhakti: The focus then shifts to Christ-centered bhakti, often expressed through devotional hymns called 'Yeshu' or 'Khrist' bhajans. The author contextualizes this emerging practice within the broader theological and experiential frameworks of Hindu bhakti. This contextualization is guided by Jessica Frazier's observation that scholars approach bhakti in different ways—conceptual, historical, or experiential.
3. Methodology: Ethnographic Fieldwork and Literary Analysis: The second half of the paper draws from both ethnographic fieldwork and literary analysis. The author employs these methodologies to explore how Christ-centered bhakti can be situated within the historical and literary expressions of bhakti. This dual approach adds depth to the understanding of the practice.
4. Case Study: 'Man Mera' Bhajan: The article highlights a specific bhajan, 'Man Mera,' as a case study to illustrate Christ-centered bhakti. The analysis includes a comparison with bhajans by the 16th-century Rajasthani poet-saint Mirabai, demonstrating the continuity and evolution of bhakti expressions.
5. Christian Engagement with Bhakti: The discussion goes further to document and demonstrate how Christians engage with their faith through Christ-centered bhakti. It explores the incorporation of Christian idioms and practices in bhakti, revealing the diverse ways in which some Christians navigate their faith in Jesus within the context of bhakti.
This comprehensive study by Nadya Pohran contributes to the understanding of religious syncretism and the dynamic interplay between different religious traditions, specifically focusing on the practice of Christ-centered bhakti in India.
