Comparative Indian Spirituality

Common Belief of Buddha and Mirabai: Worldly Sorrow

Both Lord Buddha and Saint Mirabai shared the belief that 'the world is full of sorrow.' This realization was the driving force behind their spiritual search for liberation.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part II

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

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

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


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

Authentic Source Evidence


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).

Analytical Breakdown


  • 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.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

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

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

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "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."

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