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U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 2009

Medieval Bhakti Saints

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

'Let no man ask a man's sect or caste' whose dictum was this?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Saint Kabir, a 15th-century mystic poet, was a central figure in the Nirguna Bhakti movement, advocating for a religion of the heart that transcended institutional barriers.

Explanation Kabir’s verses (Dohas) frequently emphasize that spiritual merit is independent of birth. His famous lines advise seekers to value 'knowledge' over 'caste', just as one values the 'blade' over the 'scabbard'.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option A is correct. Kabir's entire body of work is a radical critique of the varna (caste) system and religious sectarianism.
Logic 2: While his teacher Ramananda (B) opened Bhakti to all castes, Kabir took this further by actively mocking the divisions themselves. Ramanuja (C) and Chaitanya (D) were more traditional in their approach to social structures within their devotional frameworks.

Active Recall

Question

What was Kabir's primary tool for social reform?

Answer

He used vernacular poetry and sharp satire to question the hypocrisy of both Hindu and Muslim religious authorities.

Core Insight

Kabir represents the 'Nirguna' stream of Bhakti, where God is formless and the path to Him is paved with universal love rather than caste-based rituals.

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