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U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997

Ancient Religious Sects

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who were the first to worship Vasudeva Krishna?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Bhagavatism was a pivotal religious movement that emphasized monotheistic devotion (Bhakti) to a personal god, primarily Vasudeva Krishna, marking a shift from Vedic ritualism.

Explanation Historical and epigraphic records (like the Heliodorus Pillar) identify the 'Bhagavatas' as the early sect devoted to Krishna-Vasudeva, centering their faith on the 'Bhagavat' (the Adorable One).

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Bhagavatas originated in the post-Mauryan era, focusing on the deification of the Vrsni hero, Vasudeva Krishna.
Logic 2: Vedic Aryans primarily worshipped natural forces (Indra, Agni, Varuna) through sacrificial rituals (Yajnas), while the cult of Krishna was a later development that integrated folk traditions with Brahmanism.

Active Recall

Question

How did Bhagavatism differ from early Vedic religion?

Answer

While Vedic religion was centered on polytheistic sacrifices, Bhagavatism introduced a personal, monotheistic devotion to a single deity (Krishna/Vishnu).

Core Insight

The rise of the Bhagavatas transformed Indian religious life from external ritual to internal emotional devotion (Bhakti).

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