CAPF AC 2021 Q110: Medieval History – Bhakti Movement
- (a) Kabir
- (b) Nanak
- (c) Dadu
- (d) Chaitanya
Answer: (d) Chaitanya
Explanation
Nirguna and Saguna Bhakti
How to think: Nirguna means God without form or attributes.
Saguna means God with form, worshipped as Rama, Krishna, Shiva or the Goddess.
Chaitanya worshipped Krishna with song and dance, so he is a saguna saint.
| School | Idea of God | Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Nirguna | Formless; no idols, no incarnations | Kabir, Guru Nanak, Dadu Dayal, Ravidas |
| Saguna | With form; devotion to an incarnation | Chaitanya (Krishna), Tulsidas (Rama), Surdas (Krishna), Mirabai (Krishna) |
About Chaitanya: he lived in Bengal (1486-1533).
He spread Gaudiya Vaishnavism and popularised sankirtan, group singing of Krishna's name.
Answer: (d) Chaitanya.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Kabir was the leading nirguna saint and rejected idol worship.
- (b) Incorrect. Guru Nanak preached devotion to one formless God.
- (c) Incorrect. Dadu Dayal of Rajasthan followed Kabir's nirguna path.
- (d) CORRECT. Chaitanya worshipped Krishna with form, so he was a saguna saint.
Key point
Nirguna (formless God): Kabir, Nanak, Dadu, Ravidas. Saguna (God with form): Chaitanya, Tulsidas, Surdas, Mirabai, Vallabhacharya. Chaitanya: Bengal, Krishna bhakti, sankirtan.
Remember
Kabir, Nanak, Dadu = nirguna. Chaitanya = saguna (Krishna).
Common mistakes
- Missing the word not and marking a saint who was nirguna.
- Not knowing that Dadu Dayal belongs to the Kabir tradition.
- Thinking all Bhakti saints rejected idols and incarnations.
Exam tip
Educated guess: the Hare Krishna (ISKCON) movement traces itself to Chaitanya. A saint devoted to Krishna worships God with form.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII History — Themes in Indian History Part II, Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions
- NCERT Class VII History — Our Pasts II, Chapter 8: Devotional Paths to the Divine