Bhakti and Sufi Movement

1. Which one of the following was not a Shaiva tantric sect ?

Which one of the following was not a Shaiva tantric sect ?

Sahajiyas
Kapalikas
Kalamukhas
Nathas
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Sahajiyas are primarily associated with Vaishnavism and Buddhism, emphasizing the concept of Sahaja, the innate or natural state of being, often explored through devotional practices and esoteric rituals. While they might incorporate elements from various traditions, they are not classified as a Shaiva tantric sect in the same way as Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, or Nathas, which are direct branches of Shaivism with distinct tantric practices.
– Kapalikas and Kalamukhas were ascetic Shaiva sects known for their extreme tantric rituals, often involving practices considered outside mainstream norms.
– The Nath tradition is a major Shaiva movement, particularly known for Hatha Yoga and tantric sadhanas aimed at achieving physical immortality and spiritual liberation.
– Sahajiyas belong to a different stream of religious thought, focusing on innate truth and spontaneous expression of devotion or realization, more aligned with certain Tantric Buddhist and Vaishnava traditions.
The question asks which was NOT a Shaiva tantric sect. Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, and Nathas are well-documented historical and contemporary Shaiva tantric traditions or sects. Sahajiyas, while Tantric, are not typically considered a branch of Shaivism.

2. Early Bhakti Saints, Alvars in South India were immersed in the devoti

Early Bhakti Saints, Alvars in South India were immersed in the devotion of

Ram.
Krishna.
Shiva.
Vishnu.
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The Alvars were a group of 12 Tamil poet-saints of South India who were proponents of Vaishnavism, deeply devoted to Vishnu and his avatars.
– Their devotional poems, compiled as the Divya Prabandha, are central texts of Tamil Vaishnavism.
– Their devotion encompassed various forms and avatars of Vishnu, including Rama and Krishna.
The Nayanars were their Shaivite counterparts, devoted to Shiva. The Alvars and Nayanars played a significant role in the early Bhakti movement in South India between the 6th and 9th centuries AD. While they sang praises of Rama and Krishna, these are considered incarnations of the supreme deity Vishnu in Vaishnavism.

3. Which one of the following statements about the Bhakti movement in Ind

Which one of the following statements about the Bhakti movement in India is not correct ?

Ramanuja taught at the Meenakshi temple of Madurai.
The founder of Madhava sect was a Kanarese Brahmin.
Telugu Brahmin Nimbarka settled near Mathura and greatly influenced the Bhakti movement.
Impact of Sahajiyas, Tantrics and Nath yogis led to the development of North Indian Sant tradition.
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The statement “Ramanuja taught at the Meenakshi temple of Madurai” is not correct.
Ramanuja (c. 1017–1137 CE), a prominent philosopher and theologian of Hinduism, was a key figure in the Bhakti movement and the most important exponent of Vishishtadvaita Vedanta. While Madurai has a significant Vaishnavite temple (Meenakshi Temple is primarily Shiva-Parvati, with Vaishnavite shrines), Ramanuja’s main center of activity and teaching was Srirangam, home to the Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the most important Vaishnava pilgrimage sites. He did travel widely, but his primary base and major philosophical works are strongly associated with Srirangam.
– Madhvacharya (c. 1238–1317 CE), the founder of the Dvaita Vedanta school, was born near Udupi in present-day Karnataka and was a Kanarese Brahmin. Statement B is correct.
– Nimbarka (c. 13th century CE?), founder of the Dvaitadvaita Vedanta school, is traditionally believed to be a Telugu Brahmin from the Andhra region who settled near Mathura (Vrindavan), significantly contributing to the Radha-Krishna devotional tradition. Statement C is correct.
– The North Indian Sant tradition (figures like Kabir, Nanak, Dadu Dayal, etc.) evolved through complex interactions with various pre-existing religious and philosophical streams, including elements from Sahajiya Buddhists, Tantrics, Nath Yogis, Vaishnava Bhakti, and Sufism. Statement D is correct.

4. Which of the following statements about the Virasaiva Movement is/are

Which of the following statements about the Virasaiva Movement is/are correct?

  • 1. Virasaiva followers are also known as Lingayats.
  • 2. The Movement is closely associated with Basaveshwara.
  • 3. The Movement became institution-alized over a period of time.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
3 only
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The correct answer is A, meaning all three statements are correct.
– Statement 1 is correct. The followers of the Virasaiva Movement are commonly known as Lingayats, referring to their practice of wearing a small Linga (Ishtalinga) on their person.
– Statement 2 is correct. The Virasaiva Movement, which emerged in the 12th century in South India, is strongly associated with Basaveshwara (Basavanna), a philosopher, statesman, and social reformer who championed radical social reforms, including challenging caste distinctions and patriarchal norms.
– Statement 3 is correct. Over time, the Virasaiva Movement developed into an established religious and social tradition with its own organizational structures, such as mathas (monasteries), significant body of literature (Vachanas), and philosophical schools, thus becoming institutionalized.
The Virasaiva tradition emphasizes monotheism (worship of Shiva), equality, and devotion (bhakti). It played a significant role in the social and religious landscape of the Deccan region.

5. Which one of the following statements about Mahapurush Srimanta Sankar

Which one of the following statements about Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva is not correct?

He was the leading proponent of Vaishnavism in Assam.
His teachings are known as 'Bhagavati Dharma'.
One of his major compositions is Bhakti-Ratnakara.
He rejected the traditional Bhakti form of Satsang, the Naam-Kirtan.
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The correct option is D.
Srimanta Sankardeva (1449-1568) was a polymath from Assam who founded the Ekasarana Dharma, a socio-religious movement that spread Vaishnavism in the region.
– Statement A is correct: He is indeed the leading proponent of Vaishnavism in Assam.
– Statement B is correct: His teachings are known as Ekasarana Dharma or Bhagavati Dharma, emphasizing devotion to Lord Krishna/Vishnu based on texts like the Bhagavata Purana.
– Statement C is correct: Bhakti-Ratnakara is one of his important compilations.
– Statement D is incorrect: Srimanta Sankardeva strongly emphasized and developed the practice of Satsang, particularly the congregational chanting of devotional songs and prayers known as Naam-Kirtan. The Naam Ghar (house of names) is a central institution of Ekasarana Dharma.
Sankardeva also introduced Bhaona (religious theatre), Borgeets (devotional songs), Ankia Naat (one-act plays), and contributed significantly to Assamese literature, music, and culture.

6. Who among the following Bhakti poetesses belonged to Kashmir Valley?

Who among the following Bhakti poetesses belonged to Kashmir Valley?

Rupa Bhawani
Akka Mahadevi
Janabai
Bahinabai
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The correct option is A.
Rupa Bhawani (1621-1720) was a Kashmiri saint and poetess who is considered a significant figure in the syncretic Kashmiri religious tradition, often linked to the Rishi order and reflecting Bhakti influences.
Akka Mahadevi was a prominent figure of the 12th-century Virashaiva movement in Karnataka. Janabai and Bahinabai were prominent Marathi Bhakti poetesses associated with the Varkari tradition in Maharashtra, living in the 13th and 17th centuries respectively. Lalleshwari (Lal Ded) is another famous earlier Kashmiri poetess-saint (14th century) known for her mystic poetry (Vakhs), preceding Rupa Bhawani.

7. The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inau

The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ?

The best means of salvation was devotion.
Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.
Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
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The correct answer is A) The best means of salvation was devotion.
Ramanuja (1017-1137 CE) was a prominent philosopher, theologian, and social reformer. He was the most important Acharya of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition and a leading proponent of Vishishtadvaita philosophy. A central tenet of his teaching is that *bhakti* (devotion) to Vishnu is the most effective and primary means for an individual soul to attain *moksha* (salvation or liberation). He emphasized surrender (*prapatti*) to God’s grace. The statue inaugurated is called the ‘Statue of Equality’, reflecting his message of equality and devotion being accessible to all sections of society.
While Ramanuja respected the Vedas (B), his philosophy did not hold them to be solely self-existent independent of God’s will. He used logical arguments extensively in his commentaries (like Sri Bhashya on the Brahmasutras) (C), but logic was a tool for understanding, not the *primary* means for salvation. Meditation (D) was part of the spiritual practice, but it was devotion (*bhakti*) that he stressed as the ultimate path to liberation.

8. Consider the following statements: Saint Nimbarka was a contem- pora

Consider the following statements:

  • Saint Nimbarka was a contem- porary of Akbar.
  • Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Statement 1 is incorrect. Saint Nimbarka, a philosopher and theologian, lived around the 11th or 12th century AD, significantly earlier than Emperor Akbar who reigned in the 16th century (1556-1605). Statement 2 is incorrect. Saint Kabir, a prominent Bhakti movement poet and mystic, lived in the 15th century (roughly 1440-1518). Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was a major figure of the Naqshbandi Sufi order who lived from 1564 to 1624, primarily during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir. Kabir predates Sirhindi, so Kabir could not have been influenced by him. Therefore, neither statement is correct.
Nimbarka and Kabir belonged to earlier centuries than Akbar and Sirhindi.
Nimbarka is associated with the Dvaitadvaita (dualistic non-dualistic) philosophy. Kabir was a syncretic saint whose verses are found in the Guru Granth Sahib. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was known for advocating for a strict adherence to Sharia and is sometimes referred to as a ‘Mujaddid’ or reviver of the second millennium of Islam.

9. With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following st

With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements:

  • Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
  • Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
  • Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries.
  • Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
1, 2 and 3
2, 3 and 4
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The correct answer is B.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Most of Tyagaraja’s Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Rama, not Lord Krishna. He is one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music and a prominent figure in the Bhakti tradition.
Statement 2 is correct. Tyagaraja is credited with composing thousands of Kritis and is known for creating several new ragas and developing existing ones, significantly contributing to the structure and theory of Carnatic music.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Annamacharya (Tallapaka Annamacharya) lived from 1408 to 1503, while Tyagaraja lived from 1767 to 1847. They were not contemporaries; Annamacharya preceded Tyagaraja by over two centuries.
Statement 4 is correct. Annamacharya was a prolific composer of kirtanas (devotional songs), predominantly in Telugu. He is considered the Andhra Pada Kavita Pitamaha (Grandfather of Telugu song-poetry) and composed thousands of songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala.
Tyagaraja, along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri, are considered the “Trinity” of Carnatic music, significantly shaping its form and content. Annamacharya’s compositions are considered the earliest examples of devotional songs in South India and are widely sung even today in temples, particularly at Tirumala.

10. With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the

With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements :

  • Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
  • Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2. Both statements correctly describe key aspects of the Siddhas (Sittars) of the Tamil region and the Lingayats of the Kannada region in medieval India.
– Statement 1 is correct: The Siddhas (or Sittars) were mystic saints in Tamil Nadu known for their heterodox views. They often critiqued traditional Brahmanical practices, including caste hierarchy and idol worship, emphasizing an inner spiritual path. Many of their teachings can be interpreted as leaning towards monotheism, focusing on the ultimate reality (often Shiva) beyond forms.
– Statement 2 is correct: The Lingayats (Virashaivas), founded by Basavanna in the 12th century in the Karnataka region, strongly rejected caste hierarchy and traditional rituals. They questioned the theory of rebirth (samsara) as understood in conventional Hinduism, focusing instead on achieving union with the divine (isto-linga) and transcending the cycle of birth and death in this life.
Both Siddha and Lingayat movements represented significant challenges to the prevailing social and religious norms of their time, promoting more egalitarian and personal paths to spirituality.
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