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Question 1 of 10
1. Question
2 points
. Consider the following statements:
1. Nirguna Bhakti form focused on the worship of specific deities such as Shiva, Vishnu and his avatars (incarnations) and forms of the goddess or Devi all in human forms.
2. Suguna Bhakti form was worship of an abstract form of god.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Correct
Ans C
At a different level, historians of religion often classify Bhakti traditions into two broad categories: saguna (with attributes) and nirguna (without attributes).
The former included traditions that focused on the worship of specific deities such as Shiva, Vishnu and his avatars (incarnations) and forms of the goddess or Devi, all often conceptualised in anthropomorphic forms.
Nirguna Bhakti, on the other hand, was worship of an abstract form of god.
Incorrect
Ans C
At a different level, historians of religion often classify Bhakti traditions into two broad categories: saguna (with attributes) and nirguna (without attributes).
The former included traditions that focused on the worship of specific deities such as Shiva, Vishnu and his avatars (incarnations) and forms of the goddess or Devi, all often conceptualised in anthropomorphic forms.
Nirguna Bhakti, on the other hand, was worship of an abstract form of god.
Question 2 of 10
2. Question
2 points
Consider the following statements:
1. Alvars were devotees of Vishnu, whereas Nayanars worshipped Shiva.
2. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham, anthology of compositions of Nayanars, is called Tamil Vedas.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Correct
Ans A
Some of the earliest Bhakti movements (c. 6th century) were led by the Alvars (literally, those who are ‘immersed’ in devotion to Vishnu) and Nayanars (literally, leaders who were devotees of Shiva). They travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their gods. Some historians suggest that the Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmanas or at least attempted to reform the system.
To some extent, this is corroborated by the fact that bhaktas hailed from diverse social backgrounds ranging from Brahmanas to artisans and cultivators and even from castes considered ‘untouchables’. The importance of the traditions of the Alvars and Nayanars was sometimes indicated by the claim that their compositions were as important as the Vedas.
For instance, one of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, was frequently described as the Tamil Veda, thus claiming that the text was as significant as the four Vedas in Sanskrit that were cherished by the Brahmanas.
Incorrect
Ans A
Some of the earliest Bhakti movements (c. 6th century) were led by the Alvars (literally, those who are ‘immersed’ in devotion to Vishnu) and Nayanars (literally, leaders who were devotees of Shiva). They travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their gods. Some historians suggest that the Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmanas or at least attempted to reform the system.
To some extent, this is corroborated by the fact that bhaktas hailed from diverse social backgrounds ranging from Brahmanas to artisans and cultivators and even from castes considered ‘untouchables’. The importance of the traditions of the Alvars and Nayanars was sometimes indicated by the claim that their compositions were as important as the Vedas.
For instance, one of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, was frequently described as the Tamil Veda, thus claiming that the text was as significant as the four Vedas in Sanskrit that were cherished by the Brahmanas.
Question 3 of 10
3. Question
2 points
. Consider the following about Alvars and Nayanars.
1. They disapproved of the caste based discrimination in India.
2. They did not produce any written compositions.
3. Women devotees were not allowed within the Sangha.
Select the correct answer using the codes below.
Correct
Ans B
Statement 1: Some historians suggest that the Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmanas or at least attempted to reform the system. To some extent this is corroborated by the fact that bhaktas hailed from diverse social backgrounds ranging from Brahmanas to artisans and cultivators and even from castes considered ‘untouchable’.
Statements 2 and 3: The compositions of Andal, a woman Alvar, were widely sung. Another woman, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a devotee of Shiva, adopted the path of extreme asceticism in order to attain her goal. So, 3 is wrong.
One of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, was frequently described as the Tamil Veda, thus claiming that the text was as significant as the four Vedas in Sanskrit that were cherished by the Brahmanas. So, 2 is also wrong.
Incorrect
Ans B
Statement 1: Some historians suggest that the Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmanas or at least attempted to reform the system. To some extent this is corroborated by the fact that bhaktas hailed from diverse social backgrounds ranging from Brahmanas to artisans and cultivators and even from castes considered ‘untouchable’.
Statements 2 and 3: The compositions of Andal, a woman Alvar, were widely sung. Another woman, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a devotee of Shiva, adopted the path of extreme asceticism in order to attain her goal. So, 3 is wrong.
One of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, was frequently described as the Tamil Veda, thus claiming that the text was as significant as the four Vedas in Sanskrit that were cherished by the Brahmanas. So, 2 is also wrong.
Question 4 of 10
4. Question
2 points
. Consider the following statements:
1. One of the major themes in Tamil Bhakti hymns is the poets’ opposition to Buddhism and Jainism.
2. Nayanars and Alvars were patronised by the Chola rulers.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Correct
Ans C
While Buddhism and Jainism had been prevalent in this region for several centuries drawing support from merchant and artisan communities, these religious traditions received occasional royal patronage. Interestingly, one of the major themes in Tamil Bhakti hymns is the poets’ opposition to Buddhism and Jainism.
This is particularly marked in the compositions of the Nayanars. Historians have attempted to explain this hostility by suggesting that it was due to competition between members of other religious traditions for royal patronage. What is evident is that the powerful Chola rulers (9th_13th centuries) supported Brahmanical and Bhakti traditions, making land grants and constructing temples for Vishnu and Shiva.
Incorrect
Ans C
While Buddhism and Jainism had been prevalent in this region for several centuries drawing support from merchant and artisan communities, these religious traditions received occasional royal patronage. Interestingly, one of the major themes in Tamil Bhakti hymns is the poets’ opposition to Buddhism and Jainism.
This is particularly marked in the compositions of the Nayanars. Historians have attempted to explain this hostility by suggesting that it was due to competition between members of other religious traditions for royal patronage. What is evident is that the powerful Chola rulers (9th_13th centuries) supported Brahmanical and Bhakti traditions, making land grants and constructing temples for Vishnu and Shiva.
Question 5 of 10
5. Question
2 points
Among the following, who was the proponent of the ‘Bhakti Cult’ from West Bengal?
Correct
Ans A
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a Bhakti saint from west Bengal. He was the chief proponent of Vaishnavism. Bhakti
Incorrect
Ans A
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a Bhakti saint from west Bengal. He was the chief proponent of Vaishnavism. Bhakti
Question 6 of 10
6. Question
2 points
. Consider the following statements about the ideas of Kabir:
1. He described the ultimate reality as the formless one.
2. His idea of God being shunya (emptiness) relates to that of yogic traditions.
3. His poems often attack Hindu polytheism and idol worship.
Choose the correct answer using the codes below.
Correct
Ans D
Kabir’s poems have survived in several languages and dialects, and some are composed in the special language of nirguna poets, the sant bhasha.
These hint at the difficulties of capturing the nature of the Ultimate Reality in words: expressions such as the lotus which blooms without flowerl or the fire raging in the oceanl convey a sense of Kabir’s mystical experiences.
Also striking is the range of traditions Kabir drew on to describe the Ultimate Reality. These include Islam: he described the Ultimate Reality as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat and Pir. He also used terms drawn from Vedantic traditions, alakh (the unseen), nirakar (formless), Brahman, Atman and more. Other terms with mystical connotations such as shabda (sound) or shunya (emptiness) were drawn from yogic traditions.
Diverse and sometimes conflicting ideas are expressed in these poems. Some poems draw on Islamic ideas and use monotheism and iconoclasm to attack Hindu polytheism and idol worship; others use the Sufi concept of zikr and ishq (love) to express the Hindu practice of nam-simaran (remembrance of God’s name).
Incorrect
Ans D
Kabir’s poems have survived in several languages and dialects, and some are composed in the special language of nirguna poets, the sant bhasha.
These hint at the difficulties of capturing the nature of the Ultimate Reality in words: expressions such as the lotus which blooms without flowerl or the fire raging in the oceanl convey a sense of Kabir’s mystical experiences.
Also striking is the range of traditions Kabir drew on to describe the Ultimate Reality. These include Islam: he described the Ultimate Reality as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat and Pir. He also used terms drawn from Vedantic traditions, alakh (the unseen), nirakar (formless), Brahman, Atman and more. Other terms with mystical connotations such as shabda (sound) or shunya (emptiness) were drawn from yogic traditions.
Diverse and sometimes conflicting ideas are expressed in these poems. Some poems draw on Islamic ideas and use monotheism and iconoclasm to attack Hindu polytheism and idol worship; others use the Sufi concept of zikr and ishq (love) to express the Hindu practice of nam-simaran (remembrance of God’s name).
Question 7 of 10
7. Question
2 points
As per the Nathpanthis and Siddhacharas, the way to salvation lies in
Correct
Ans A
Path of Bhakti was suggested by Alvars, Nayanars, Vaishnavites, Virashaivas, Ramanuja, Kabir, Mira and others. Therefore, option (b) can be eliminated.
Option (c) can also be eliminated as no path prescribes self-inflicted pain to attain salvation.
Option (d) was the path of the Buddha. So, this can be eliminated too. The word ‘Siddha’ in Siddhacharas should then lead you to option (a).
Incorrect
Ans A
Path of Bhakti was suggested by Alvars, Nayanars, Vaishnavites, Virashaivas, Ramanuja, Kabir, Mira and others. Therefore, option (b) can be eliminated.
Option (c) can also be eliminated as no path prescribes self-inflicted pain to attain salvation.
Option (d) was the path of the Buddha. So, this can be eliminated too. The word ‘Siddha’ in Siddhacharas should then lead you to option (a).
Question 8 of 10
8. Question
2 points
With reference to Lingayats, consider the following statements.
1. The Lingayats encouraged certain practices disapproved in the Dharmashastras such as post-puberty marriage and the remarriage of widows,
2. They believed in the theory of rebirth.
3. Lingayats believe that on death, the devotee will be united with Shiva and will not return to this world.
4. Therefore, they do not practice funerary rites such as cremation prescribed in the Dharmashastras. Instead, they ceremonially bury their dead.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Correct
Ans B
The 12th century witnessed the emergence of a movement in Kamataka led by a Brahmana named Basavanna (1106-1168), who was initially a Jaina and a minister in the court of a Chalukya king. His followers were known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the lingam). Lingayats continue to be an important community in the region to date.
They worship Shiva in his manifestation as a linga, and men usually wear a small lingam in a silver case on a loop strung over the left shoulder. Those who are revered include the jangama or wandering monks.
Lingayats believe that on death, the devotee will be united with Shiva and will not return to this world. Therefore, they do not practice funerary rites such as cremation prescribed in the Dharmashastras. Instead, they ceremonially bury their dead.
The Lingayats challenged the idea of caste and the ‘pollution’ attributed to certain groups by Brahmanas. They also questioned the theory of rebirth. These won them followers amongst those who were marginalised within the Brahmanical social order.
The Lingayats also encouraged certain practices disapproved in the Dharmashastras such as post-puberty marriage and the marriage of widows. Our understanding of the Virashaiva tradition is derived from vachanas (literally, sayings) composed in Kannada by men and women who joined the Lingayats also encouraged group.
Incorrect
Ans B
The 12th century witnessed the emergence of a movement in Kamataka led by a Brahmana named Basavanna (1106-1168), who was initially a Jaina and a minister in the court of a Chalukya king. His followers were known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the lingam). Lingayats continue to be an important community in the region to date.
They worship Shiva in his manifestation as a linga, and men usually wear a small lingam in a silver case on a loop strung over the left shoulder. Those who are revered include the jangama or wandering monks.
Lingayats believe that on death, the devotee will be united with Shiva and will not return to this world. Therefore, they do not practice funerary rites such as cremation prescribed in the Dharmashastras. Instead, they ceremonially bury their dead.
The Lingayats challenged the idea of caste and the ‘pollution’ attributed to certain groups by Brahmanas. They also questioned the theory of rebirth. These won them followers amongst those who were marginalised within the Brahmanical social order.
The Lingayats also encouraged certain practices disapproved in the Dharmashastras such as post-puberty marriage and the marriage of widows. Our understanding of the Virashaiva tradition is derived from vachanas (literally, sayings) composed in Kannada by men and women who joined the Lingayats also encouraged group.
Question 9 of 10
9. Question
2 points
Consider the following statements.
1. Siddhas (Sittars) of the Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Correct
Ans(c)
Siddas condemned idolatory and lingayats followed the teachings of Basavanna questioning the rebirth theory.
Incorrect
Ans(c)
Siddas condemned idolatory and lingayats followed the teachings of Basavanna questioning the rebirth theory.
Question 10 of 10
10. Question
2 points
Consider the following statements about Ziyarat.
1. It is a pilgrimage to the tomb of Sufi saints.
2. This practice is an occasion for seeking the Sufi’s spiritual grace (barakat).
3. The practice was restricted to a certain class of Muslims.
Choose the correct answer using the codes below
Correct
Ans A
Pilgrimage, called ziyarat, to the tombs of Sufi saints is prevalent all over the Muslim world. This practice is an occasion for seeking the Sufi’s spiritual grace (barakat).
For more than seven centuries, people of various creeds, classes and social backgrounds have devotion at the dargahs of the five great Chishti saints. expressed their 3. Amongst these, the most revered shrine is that of Khwaja Muinuddin, popularly known as Gharib Nawaz (comforter of the poor).
Incorrect
Ans A
Pilgrimage, called ziyarat, to the tombs of Sufi saints is prevalent all over the Muslim world. This practice is an occasion for seeking the Sufi’s spiritual grace (barakat).
For more than seven centuries, people of various creeds, classes and social backgrounds have devotion at the dargahs of the five great Chishti saints. expressed their 3. Amongst these, the most revered shrine is that of Khwaja Muinuddin, popularly known as Gharib Nawaz (comforter of the poor).
