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All questions of Age of Conflict [11th and 12th centuries] for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

Which philosophy constitutes the core: “that nothing exists but the supreme spirit of Brahma and that it is shrouded by `maya’ or `ignorance’?
  • a)
    Visistadvaita
  • b)
    Suddha-advaita
  • c)
    Dvaitavada
  • d)
    Advaita
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Shivani Desai answered
Understanding Advaita Philosophy
Advaita, or non-dualism, is a central philosophy in Hinduism, primarily articulated by the sage Adi Shankaracharya. It asserts a profound unity of existence, emphasizing that the ultimate reality is Brahman, the supreme spirit.
Core Tenets of Advaita
- Brahman as the Only Reality: Advaita posits that Brahman is the sole reality, and everything else is an illusion or 'maya'. This illusion leads to a misperception of the multiplicity of the universe.
- Maya and Ignorance: Maya is the concept that describes the illusory nature of the world, obscuring the true essence of Brahman. Ignorance, or 'avidya', is seen as the root cause of the misidentification of the self with the body and mind.
Philosophical Implications
- Unity of Atman and Brahman: In Advaita, Atman (the individual soul) is fundamentally identical to Brahman. Realization of this truth leads to liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.
- Path to Enlightenment: The philosophy provides paths like self-inquiry and meditation to overcome ignorance and unveil the nature of reality.
Comparison with Other Philosophies
- Visistadvaita: While it acknowledges Brahman, it maintains that individual souls are distinct and have their own identity.
- Suddha-advaita: This is a pure non-dualism but still recognizes a personal God, unlike the strict non-dualism of Advaita.
- Dvaitavada: This dualistic philosophy posits a significant difference between the individual soul and God, contrary to the non-dualistic view of Advaita.
In summary, Advaita's assertion that nothing exists except for Brahman, veiled by maya, sets it apart as a foundational philosophy in Hindu thought.

In which region of India was the Firdausi order popular?
  • a)
    Sind
  • b)
    Bihar
  • c)
    Bengal
  • d)
    The Deccan
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Arun Khatri answered
Firdausi order was the branch of the Suharawardi order. Shaikh Badruddin Samarkandi was the founder of this order. This order was popular in Bihar. It was popularised by Shaikh Sharfuddin Yahya.

Ravidas, Kabir and Sena were the disciples of
  • a)
    Namdeva
  • b)
    Ramanuja
  • c)
    Vallabhacharya
  • d)
    Ramananda
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Deepika Dey answered

Disciples of Ramananda

Ravidas, Kabir, and Sena were the disciples of Ramananda, a prominent Bhakti saint in India. Ramananda was a leading figure in the Bhakti movement, which emphasized devotion and love for God as the path to salvation.

Ramananda
Ramananda was a 14th-century Vaishnava saint and a proponent of the bhakti movement in North India. He is considered to be the guru of several prominent saints, including Ravidas, Kabir, and Sena.

Ravidas
Ravidas was a North Indian mystic poet-saint, social reformer, and spiritual figure. He was a disciple of Ramananda and is considered one of the most revered saints in the Bhakti movement. Ravidas' devotional songs and poems continue to have a profound impact on Indian society.

Kabir
Kabir was another disciple of Ramananda and a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement. He was a poet, philosopher, and social reformer who sought to bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims through his teachings. Kabir's verses, known as "Dohas," are still widely recited and revered in India.

Sena
Sena was also a disciple of Ramananda and a follower of the Bhakti tradition. Though less well-known than Ravidas and Kabir, Sena's devotion to Ramananda and his teachings played a significant role in the spread of the Bhakti movement in India.

In conclusion, Ravidas, Kabir, and Sena were all disciples of Ramananda, a prominent saint in the Bhakti movement. Their teachings and devotion continue to inspire millions of people in India and beyond.

Who wrote the Telgu version of the Mahabharata?
  • a)
    Nannaya
  • b)
    Akhatiyar
  • c)
    Tiruvalluvar
  • d)
    Nappier
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Sahana Singh answered
Telugu version of the Mahabharata

The Telugu version of the Mahabharata is known as Andhra Mahabharatam. It was written by Nannaya Bhattaraka in the 11th century AD. Nannaya was a Telugu poet and translator who was born in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.

Importance of Andhra Mahabharatam

Andhra Mahabharatam is one of the most important works of Telugu literature. It is a retelling of the original Mahabharata in Telugu language. The Telugu version of the epic is considered to be one of the best retellings of the Mahabharata in any Indian language. It has been appreciated for its literary value as well as its accuracy in retelling the original story.

Nannaya's contribution

Nannaya is considered to be the father of Telugu literature. He was the first Telugu poet to use Telugu as a medium of literary expression. Before Nannaya, Sanskrit was the language of literature in Andhra Pradesh. Nannaya's Andhra Mahabharatam marked the beginning of Telugu literature as a distinct genre.

Nannaya's style

Nannaya's style of writing is characterized by his use of Sanskrit loanwords in Telugu. He used a mixture of Telugu and Sanskrit words to create a unique style of writing. His language is considered to be simple and easy to understand. He also incorporated local dialects and customs into his writing, which made his work more relatable to the common people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Nannaya Bhattaraka was the author of the Telugu version of the Mahabharata, known as Andhra Mahabharatam. His contribution to Telugu literature is significant, as he was the first Telugu poet to use Telugu as a medium of literary expression. Andhra Mahabharatam is considered to be one of the best retellings of the Mahabharata in any Indian language.

The first Bhakti saint to use Hindi, the language of the masses, for the propagation of his doctrines, was
  • a)
    Mirabai
  • b)
    Kabir
  • c)
    Tulsidas
  • d)
    Ramananda
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Sahana Menon answered
Introduction
Ramananda was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his doctrines, making it accessible to the masses.

Ramananda
- Ramananda was a prominent Vaishnava saint in the Bhakti movement during the 15th century.
- He believed in the equality of all human beings and preached devotion to Lord Rama.
- Ramananda emphasized the importance of love and devotion to God as the path to salvation.

Use of Hindi
- Ramananda chose to use Hindi, the language of the common people, to spread his teachings.
- By using Hindi, Ramananda was able to reach a wider audience and connect with people from different social backgrounds.
- This decision was significant as it broke away from the tradition of using classical languages like Sanskrit for religious discourse.

Impact
- Ramananda's use of Hindi played a crucial role in popularizing the Bhakti movement among the masses.
- It helped in making spiritual teachings more accessible and understandable to people who were not well-versed in classical languages.
- Ramananda's emphasis on simplicity and devotion in Hindi poetry influenced future Bhakti saints like Kabir and Tulsidas.

Conclusion
Ramananda's pioneering use of Hindi for the propagation of his doctrines marked a significant shift in the Bhakti movement, making it more inclusive and accessible to people from all walks of life.

Who said: “God knows man’s virtues and inquires not his caste; in the next world there is no caste”?
  • a)
    Chaitanya
  • b)
    Kabir
  • c)
    Guru Nanak
  • d)
    Tulsidas
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Dipika Sen answered
Explanation:

Guru Nanak:
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, emphasized the importance of equality and rejected the caste system. He believed that God does not differentiate between individuals based on their caste, and that virtues are what truly matter.

Quote Interpretation:
The quote "God knows man’s virtues and inquires not his caste; in the next world there is no caste" highlights Guru Nanak's belief in the equality of all individuals before God. He believed that one's actions and virtues determine one's worth, not their caste or social status. In the next world, there is no concept of caste, further emphasizing the idea of equality and meritocracy.

Implications:
This quote promotes the idea of treating everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their background. It challenges the discriminatory nature of the caste system and calls for a more inclusive and egalitarian society. Guru Nanak's teachings have had a profound impact on the Sikh community and continue to inspire people to strive for a more just and compassionate world.
In conclusion, Guru Nanak's quote reflects his commitment to equality and justice, and serves as a reminder of the importance of virtues over caste in the eyes of God.

A religious sect of the sixteenth century which asked its followers to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the remembrance of God (Zikr) and not to waste time in earning a living or other worldly pursuits, was
  • a)
    Shattariya
  • b)
    Mahdawi
  • c)
    Chisti
  • d)
    Qadiriya
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Ravi Sharma answered
Mahdavis, besides following the five pillars of Islam, also follow the seven obligations of sainthood, known as faraiz-e Wilaya Muhammadiya. These obligations are renunciation (tark-e dunya), quest for divine vision (talab didar-e Ilahi), company of truthfuls and ascetics (sohbath-e sadiqan), migration (hijrah), retreat and solitude (uzlath az khalq), absolute dependence on Allah (tawakkul), constant remembrance of Allah (zikr-e Ilahi) and distributing tithe (ushr).
Followers of Jaunpuri strictly follow some of these obligations in their day-to-day life. Most of them initiate renunciation in the advanced stage of their lives, after getting retirement from the jobs or by handing over business to their heirs. The second Mahdavi caliph, Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir and his fukhra disciples (the persons who renounce the world and keep remembering Allah with zikr), faced organised persecution by the regime of Muzaffar at the behest of his court-appointed Mullas and was killed in 1523 along with hundreds of unarmed and peaceful disciples.

Who said, “The Saktas and dogs are both brothers, the one is asleep while the other barks”?
  • a)
    Kabir
  • b)
    Tulsidas
  • c)
    Chaitanya
  • d)
    Nanak
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Understanding the Quote
The statement “The Saktas and dogs are both brothers, the one is asleep while the other barks” is attributed to the poet-saint Kabir. This quote reflects Kabir's philosophical perspectives on spirituality and societal norms.
Context of Kabir's Philosophy
- Duality in Spiritual Practice: Kabir often highlighted the contrasting states of spiritual awareness and ignorance. The "Saktas" (followers of Shakti or divine feminine energy) represent those engaged in spiritual practices while being unaware of their true essence, akin to being 'asleep'.
- Awareness and Expression: In contrast, "dogs" symbolize the vocal and often noisy elements of society that express their views loudly but may lack deeper understanding. The barking represents superficiality or distraction from true spirituality.
Implications of the Quote
- Critique of Blind Ritualism: Kabir critiqued both the passionate followers of rituals (Saktas) and the loud dissenters (dogs), suggesting that both remain in a state of ignorance regarding true spiritual knowledge.
- Call for Awakening: The metaphor calls for individuals to awaken from their spiritual slumber and seek genuine understanding rather than getting caught up in external expressions of faith.
Conclusion
This quote captures the essence of Kabir's teachings, advocating for a deeper introspection of one's spiritual journey beyond mere rituals or vocal expressions. His message remains relevant, urging followers to seek wisdom and awareness in their spiritual endeavors.

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