[Solved] Guru Nanak on Caste and Virtue: Bhakti Philosophy

'God knows man's virtues and enquires not his caste, in the next world there is no caste.' This was the theory of which Bhakti saint?

[R.A.S./R.T.S. Prelims 2010]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, integrated high spiritual ideals with a radical social mandate to dismantle hierarchical divisions.

Authentic Source Evidence

Nanak preached the message of 'Ek Onkar' (One God) and the absolute equality of all human beings. He famously stated that what matters to the Divine is the 'truthful living' and virtues of a person, rather than their birth or social status.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option C is correct. This particular phrasing is a cornerstone of Nanak’s teachings in the Guru Granth Sahib.

Logic 2: While other saints like Kabir and Ramanand (A) also opposed caste, Nanak institutionalized this equality through practices like Langar (communal kitchen).

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"How did Guru Nanak practically implement his anti-caste philosophy?"

He introduced the concept of Langar (free community kitchen) where people of all castes were required to sit on the floor and eat together.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"For Guru Nanak, social justice was not an addition to spiritual life, but an essential proof of spiritual attainment."

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