R.A.S./R.T.S. Prelims 1992

Comparative Indian Spirituality

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The common belief of life of both Buddha and Mirabai was-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept This question identifies a shared existential starting point between the founder of Buddhism and a medieval Krishna-bhakta.

Explanation Buddha’s First Noble Truth is 'Sabbam Dukkham' (All is Suffering). Mirabai’s poetry frequently echoes this sense of worldly sorrow and the transience of life, finding relief only in the devotion to Giridhar Gopal (Krishna).

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option C is correct. Both recognized that the empirical world is unsatisfactory and plagued by separation and loss.
Logic 2: While both valued Ahimsa (A) and Truth (D), the central *premise* of their spiritual quest was the acknowledgment of universal suffering.

Active Recall

Question

How did Buddha and Mirabai differ in their 'solution' to sorrow?

Answer

Buddha proposed the extinction of desire (Nirvana) through meditation, while Mirabai proposed the immersion in divine love (Bhakti) to Lord Krishna.

Core Insight

The recognition of the 'world as sorrow' is the foundational diagnostic of almost all Indian spiritual paths, leading different seekers toward either monasticism or emotional devotion.