Bhakti and Sufi Movement

41. The biography of Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti, authored by Jahanara, is kn

The biography of Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti, authored by Jahanara, is known as

Munis al Arwah
Fawaid ul Fuwad
Sirat ul Auliya
Muraqqa-e Dehli
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The biography of Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti, authored by Jahanara, is known as Munis al Arwah.
– Jahanara Begum (1614-1681) was a Mughal princess, the eldest daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan and Empress Mumtaz Mahal.
– She was a devoted follower of Sufism and a disciple of Mian Mir, a famous Sufi saint of the Qadiri order.
– Jahanara authored two biographical works on Sufi saints: one on her own spiritual journey and that of her Pir Mian Mir, titled Risala-i Sahibiya, and another on the Chishti saints, titled Munis al Arwah.
Fawaid ul Fuwad is a collection of the conversations (malfuzat) of the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya, compiled by his disciple Amir Hasan Sijzi. Sirat ul Auliya is a biography of Sufi saints, including Nizamuddin Auliya, compiled by Muhammad Mubarak Kirmani, also known as Amir Khurd. Muraqqa-e Dehli is an album depicting Delhi life and monuments from the early 18th century, compiled by Fakhr-ud-Din Khan.

42. Who were Alvars ?

Who were Alvars ?

Those who immersed in devotion to Vishnu
Devotees of Shiva
Those who worshipped abstract form of God
Devotees of Shakti
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The Alvars were poet-saints of South India who were devout followers of Vishnu (Vaishnavism). Their devotional hymns, compiled as the Divya Prabandha, are central to Vaishnavite tradition. The Nayanars were their counterparts in Shaivism (devotees of Shiva).
Alvars were Vaishnavite Bhakti saints from South India.
There were traditionally 12 Alvars. Their movement flourished between the 6th and 9th centuries CE and played a significant role in the Bhakti movement.

43. Who is the author of the 16th century Sanskrit text, the Vraja Bhakti

Who is the author of the 16th century Sanskrit text, the Vraja Bhakti Vilasa which focuses on the Braj region in North India ?

Todar Mal
Narayana Bhatta
Chaitanya
Rupa Goswami
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Narayana Bhatta (c. 1535-1610 CE) was a prominent scholar and devotee associated with the Braj region in the 16th century. He is credited with compiling several important Sanskrit texts related to the sacred geography, deities, and devotional practices of Braj, including the Vraja Bhakti Vilasa. This work provides descriptions of the pilgrimage sites in the Braj area, which is central to the worship of Krishna.
The Braj region is significant in Vaishnavism, and scholars compiled texts detailing its geography and religious importance during the medieval period.
Todar Mal was associated with the Mughal court. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (late 15th-early 16th century) inspired the Gaudiya Vaishnava movement, and his followers, like the Goswamis of Vrindavan, further developed the theology and practices. Rupa Goswami was one of the Six Goswamis and a key theologian of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, author of works like Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu and Ujjvala-nilamani, but Vraja Bhakti Vilasa is attributed to Narayana Bhatta.

44. Who were the Nayanars ?

Who were the Nayanars ?

Those who were immersed in devotion to Vishnu
Those who were devotees of Buddha
Leaders who were devotees of Shiva
Leaders who were devotees of Basveshwara
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The correct answer is Leaders who were devotees of Shiva.
The Nayanars (or Nayanmars) were 63 Tamil saints who were devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. They played a significant role in the Bhakti movement in South India between the 6th and 8th centuries CE, composing devotional hymns (Tevaram, Tiruvacakam, etc.) in Tamil.
Similarly, the Alvars were Tamil saints devoted to Vishnu. Both groups contributed immensely to the devotional literature and popularization of Vaishnavism and Shaivism in South India. Basaveshwara was a 12th-century philosopher, poet, and social reformer from Karnataka, the founder of Virashaivism, which is also devoted to Shiva but represents a distinct movement.

45. Who propounded Kashmir Shaivism?

Who propounded Kashmir Shaivism?

Vasugupta
Abhinavagupta
Ramakantha
Ranganathacharya
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Vasugupta propounded Kashmir Shaivism.
Vasugupta is traditionally considered the founder of the Spanda school of Kashmir Shaivism and is credited with receiving and compiling the Shiva Sutras, a foundational text of the tradition. Abhinavagupta was a later, but highly influential, philosopher who systematized the various schools of Kashmir Shaivism.
Kashmir Shaivism is a monistic idealist tradition that originated in the Kashmir Valley. Key figures include Vasugupta (credited with Shiva Sutras), Somananda, Utpaladeva, and Abhinavagupta (author of Tantraloka, a comprehensive treatise).

46. Which of the following statements about Virashaivism is/are correct?

Which of the following statements about Virashaivism is/are correct?

  • 1. The Virashaivism traces its origin to the five great religious teachers-Renuka, Daruka, Ghantakarna, Dhenukarna and Vishvakarna.
  • 2. The Virashaiva philosophy is called Shaktivishishtadvaita-the non-duality of God.
  • 3. Ashtavarana are the eight rules of the Virashaivism to be observed by the followers.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
1 and 3 only
3 only
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All three statements are correct.
Virashaivism, also known as Lingayatism, traces its origin to five traditional acharyas, including Renuka and Daruka. Its philosophy is termed Shaktivishishtadvaita, representing a qualified non-duality relating the soul, God (Shiva), and divine energy (Shakti). Ashtavarana are the eight vital observances or protections that guide the spiritual life of a Virashaiva devotee.
Ashtavarana include Gurulingajangama (devotion to guru, linga, and jangama – the moving manifestation of God), Padodaka (drinking the water used to wash the Guru’s feet), Prasad (partaking of offerings), Vibhuti (smearing sacred ash), Rudraksha (wearing rudraksha beads), Mantra (chanting the five-syllable mantra Om Namah Shivaya), and Shivarpanam (dedicating all actions to Shiva).

47. How many of the following statements about Bhakti poet Namdev is/are c

How many of the following statements about Bhakti poet Namdev is/are correct?

  • 1. He seems to have played a part in transmitting the southern Bhakti to northern India.
  • 2. He was a rigorous monotheist and opposed caste distinctions.
  • 3. He was a devout follower of Kabir.

Select the correct answer.

1
2
3
None
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Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Bhakti saint Namdev was a key figure in the Varkari tradition of Maharashtra and played a role in extending the Bhakti movement’s influence northwards, particularly evident in the inclusion of his hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib. He was a staunch monotheist and opposed caste distinctions.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While Namdev and Kabir were contemporary Bhakti saints and respected figures, Namdev was not a follower of Kabir. They belonged to different traditions within the broader Bhakti movement, although their teachings shared some common themes like monotheism and anti-casteism.

48. Which one of the following pairs denoting various forms of ‘Bhakti’ is

Which one of the following pairs denoting various forms of ‘Bhakti’ is not correctly matched?

Saguna : Belief in Gods with attributes
Nirguna : Belief in Gods without attributes
Alvars : Believed in devotion of Shakti
Nayanars : Believed in devotion of Shiva
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The pair that is not correctly matched is Alvars : Believed in devotion of Shakti. Alvars were devotees of Vishnu.
– Saguna Bhakti refers to devotion towards a personal God with form and attributes, such as Shiva, Vishnu, or their various incarnations and consorts. This is correctly matched.
– Nirguna Bhakti refers to devotion towards a formless, attributeless, ultimate reality, often referred to as Brahman. This is correctly matched.
– Alvars were a group of Tamil saints (primarily between the 6th and 9th centuries CE) who were staunch devotees of Vishnu (Vaishnavism). Their hymns are compiled in the Divya Prabandha.
– Nayanars were a group of Tamil saints (primarily between the 6th and 10th centuries CE) who were staunch devotees of Shiva (Shaivism). Their hymns are compiled in the Tirumurai.
– The Bhakti movement in South India saw the rise of these two parallel streams of devotional saints, promoting intense personal devotion as a path to salvation.
– Shakti refers to the divine feminine power, worshipped in various forms like Durga, Kali, etc. Devotion to Shakti is known as Shaktism, which is distinct from Vaishnavism (Alvars) and Shaivism (Nayanars).

49. Who among the following was the founder of the Virashaiva Movement in

Who among the following was the founder of the Virashaiva Movement in Karnataka ?

Basavanna
Appar
Sambandar
Sundarar
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Option A is correct. Basavanna (also known as Basava) was the 12th-century philosopher, statesman, and social reformer who is considered the founder of the Virashaiva movement (also known as Lingayatism) in Karnataka.
The Virashaiva movement was a significant religious and social reform movement in South India during the medieval period, challenging caste hierarchies and advocating for social equality and personal devotion to Shiva.
Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar were part of the earlier Nayanar tradition in Tamil Nadu, prominent Tamil Shaivite saints who composed devotional hymns (Tevaram) between the 6th and 9th centuries. They are distinct from the Virashaiva movement led by Basavanna.

50. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

List I
(Author)		 List II
(Poetical work)
A. Brindavan Das 1. Shivasankirttan
B. Krishnadas Kaviraj 2. Chandimangal
C. Mukundaram Chakravarti 3. Chaitanyacharitamrita
D. Rameshwar Bhattacharya 4. Chaitanyamangal

Code :

4, 2, 3, 1
4, 3, 2, 1
1, 3, 2, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
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The correct matching is:
A. Brindavan Das – 4. Chaitanyamangal (A biographical work on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)
B. Krishnadas Kaviraj – 3. Chaitanyacharitamrita (A detailed biography of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)
C. Mukundaram Chakravarti – 2. Chandimangal (A narrative poem celebrating the goddess Chandi)
D. Rameshwar Bhattacharya – 1. Shivasankirttan (A poetical work on Lord Shiva)
This matches option B: 4, 3, 2, 1.
– These are important poetical works from the medieval Bengali literature.
– ‘Mangal Kavya’ is a genre of Bengali narrative poetry from the medieval period.
Brindavan Das and Krishnadas Kaviraj are key biographers of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th-century saint and reformer of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Mukundaram Chakravarti was a major poet of the Mangal Kavya tradition. Rameshwar Bhattacharya is known for his ‘Shivasankirttan’ within the tradition of devotional poetry.
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