Surdas was a 15th-century blind poet and saint, known for his devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. He was a prominent figure in the Bhakti Movement and a key contributor to Krishna Bhakti (Vaishnavism). His compositions are filled with love, devotion, and the divine childhood of Krishna.
Basic Information on Surdas
- Full Name: Surdas
- Born: 1478 CE (Approximate)
- Birthplace: Sihi, Haryana, India
- Philosophy: Krishna Bhakti, Bhakti Movement, Vallabhacharya’s Pushtimarg
- Religious Tradition: Vaishnavism
- Major Influence: Vallabhacharya (Guru), Bhakti Saints
- Main Themes: Krishna’s childhood (Bal Leela), Radha-Krishna devotion, Bhakti (love for God)
- Sacred Texts: Sur Sagar, Sur Saravali, Sahitya Lahari
- Death: 1583 CE (Approximate)
Early Life of Surdas
- Born blind, believed to have been abandoned by his family due to his disability.
- Became a devotee of Lord Krishna from a young age.
- Inspired by Vallabhacharya, who accepted him as a disciple and introduced him to Krishna Bhakti.
- Lived near Vrindavan, singing praises of Krishna and composing devotional songs.
Philosophy and Teachings of Surdas
1. Krishna Bhakti (Devotion to Krishna)
- Worshiped Krishna as the Supreme God (Saguna Bhakti).
- His poetry focused on Krishna’s childhood (Bal Leela) and Radha-Krishna love.
2. Bhakti as the Path to Liberation
- Rejected ritualistic worship and caste discrimination.
- Believed in pure devotion (Bhakti) as the only way to attain God.
3. Divine Love & Emotions
- His poetry describes the emotions of Radha, gopis, and devotees towards Krishna.
- Emphasized Prem Bhakti (love-filled devotion).
4. Simplicity and Surrender
- Taught that God loves simple-hearted devotees, not scholars or kings.
- Encouraged total surrender to Krishna (Pushtimarg philosophy).
Major Works of Surdas
| Work | Description |
|---|---|
| Sur Sagar | His most famous work, containing 100,000 verses on Krishna’s life, but only 8,000 survive. |
| Sur Saravali | Describes the Ras Leela of Krishna and compares it to the Holi festival. |
| Sahitya Lahari | Collection of mystical and philosophical poems on Bhakti. |
Famous Poems by Surdas
- “मैया मोहि दाऊ बहुत खिझायो”
Meaning: Little Krishna complains to his mother Yashoda about his elder brother Balram troubling him. - “अब लौ नसानी, अब न नसैहो”
Meaning: Radha scolds Krishna for teasing her but eventually forgives him. - “अंखियन हरि दर्शन की प्यासी”
Meaning: A devotee expresses the deep longing to see Lord Krishna. - “चारु चंद्र की चंचल किरणें”
Meaning: Describes the beauty of the moonlit night in Vrindavan.
Surdas and the Bhakti Movement
- Spread Krishna Bhakti through simple Hindi songs (Braj Bhasha).
- Inspired Tulsidas, Meera Bai, and other Bhakti poets.
- Promoted Bhakti for all, irrespective of caste or background.
Surdas and Vallabhacharya (Pushtimarg)
- Surdas followed Vallabhacharya, the founder of Pushtimarg (Path of Grace).
- Vallabhacharya encouraged devotion to Krishna in his child form (Baal Krishna).
- Surdas’s poems fit well into Pushtimarg traditions and are still sung in Krishna temples.
Comparison: Surdas vs Tulsidas
| Feature | Surdas | Tulsidas |
|---|---|---|
| Main Theme | Krishna Bhakti | Rama Bhakti |
| Sacred Text | Sur Sagar | Ramcharitmanas |
| Worship Style | Bhakti (Prem Bhakti) | Bhakti (Rama’s Maryada Purushottam Ideal) |
| Philosophy | Pushtimarg (Vallabhacharya) | Saguna Bhakti (Rama’s Dharma) |
| Language Used | Braj Bhasha | Awadhi |
Major Temples Associated with Surdas
- Shri Banke Bihari Temple (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)
- Dedicated to Krishna, where Surdas composed many of his hymns.
- Govind Dev Ji Temple (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
- Follows Pushtimarg traditions, influenced by Surdas.
- Nathdwara Temple (Rajasthan)
- Main center of Vallabhacharya’s Pushtimarg sect, where Surdas’s hymns are sung.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
- Born In: Sihi, Haryana
- Philosophy: Krishna Bhakti, Pushtimarg
- Main Teachings: Love for Krishna, Bhakti over rituals
- Sacred Texts: Sur Sagar, Sur Saravali, Sahitya Lahari
- Guru: Vallabhacharya
- Famous Poems: Krishna’s childhood, Radha-Krishna devotion
- Death Place: Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
MCQs on Surdas
1. What was the main theme of Surdas’s poetry?
A) Shiva Worship
B) Krishna Bhakti
C) Advaita Philosophy
D) Buddhism
✅ Answer: B) Krishna Bhakti
2. What is the name of Surdas’s most famous book?
A) Sur Sagar
B) Ramcharitmanas
C) Bhagavad Gita
D) Kabir Ke Dohe
✅ Answer: A) Sur Sagar
3. Who was the spiritual guru of Surdas?
A) Ramananda
B) Vallabhacharya
C) Kabir
D) Tulsidas
✅ Answer: B) Vallabhacharya
4. In which language did Surdas write his poetry?
A) Sanskrit
B) Awadhi
C) Braj Bhasha
D) Persian
✅ Answer: C) Braj Bhasha
5. What is the philosophy followed by Surdas?
A) Nirguna Bhakti
B) Pushtimarg (Saguna Bhakti)
C) Shaivism
D) Advaita Vedanta
✅ Answer: B) Pushtimarg (Saguna Bhakti)
Subjective Questions for Further Revision
Short Answer Questions (2-5 Marks)
- Who was Surdas, and what were his main teachings?
- What is Sur Sagar, and why is it important?
- How did Surdas contribute to Krishna Bhakti?
- Name any two famous poems of Surdas.
- What was Surdas’s relationship with Vallabhacharya?
Long Answer Questions (8-15 Marks)
- Discuss the role of Surdas in the Bhakti Movement.
- Explain the themes of Krishna Bhakti in Surdas’s poetry.
- Compare Surdas and Tulsidas in their devotional teachings.
- How did Surdas’s works influence Vaishnavism?
- What are the main teachings of Surdas on love and devotion?
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