Test: Religious Developments - Class 7 MCQ

Tukaram was a prominent saint in Maharashtra known for composing devotional songs in Marathi. His works celebrated the divine and emphasized the importance of personal devotion, making spirituality accessible to the common people.

Ramanuja emphasized God's grace as the pathway to salvation, advocating that all individuals, regardless of caste, could attain spiritual liberation. His teachings connected Bhakti with the Vedas, promoting inclusivity within the spiritual framework.

Guru Nanak emphasized the practice of langars, which are community kitchens that serve free meals to all, regardless of caste or social status. This reflects his belief in equality and community service, which are central tenets of Sikhism.

A key feature of the Bhakti Movement in East India, exemplified by figures like Sankaradeva and Chaitanya, was the establishment of monasteries (satrās) and the promotion of kirtana (devotional singing). This contributed to a vibrant cultural and spiritual environment.

The Cholas and Pandyas significantly contributed to the Bhakti Movement by building temples around shrines visited by saints. These temples became important centers for worship and community gatherings, further popularizing the Bhakti ideals.

The Bhakti Movement began in the Tamil region around the 6th century. This area became a cultural and spiritual hub, where poets and saints initiated a wave of devotional worship that later spread to other parts of India.

Ramananda founded the Ramanandi sect, which focused on the worship of Lord Rama. His teachings emphasized devotion and accessibility, attracting many followers from various backgrounds, including those from lower castes.

Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and is recognized as its first Guru. His teachings emphasized the oneness of God and the importance of devotion for liberation, transcending traditional caste and gender barriers.

The Nirguna school focuses on the worship of a formless God, as exemplified by saints like Kabir, while the Saguna school emphasizes a personal God with form, as seen in the works of Tulsidas and Mirabai. This distinction reflects different approaches to understanding divinity.

The Nayanars are the group of saints associated with the worship of Shiva in South India. They contributed significantly to the Bhakti Movement through their devotional poetry, many of which focused on expressing love and reverence for Lord Shiva.

The Alvars were devotees of Vishnu, while the Nayanars were devotees of Shiva. Both groups were instrumental in popularizing the Bhakti Movement through their poetic compositions in regional languages, making spiritual teachings accessible to all.

The Five K's—Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachcha, and Kirpan—symbolize the unity and identity of the Sikh community. These articles of faith promote values such as spirituality, discipline, and readiness to protect justice, reinforcing the principles of Sikhism.

During the Bhakti Movement, Vishnu, Shiva, and Durga emerged as the main deities worshipped by devotees. This period saw the identification of local gods with these major deities, fostering a rich tapestry of regional worship practices.

"Bhakti" means personal devotion to one god and emphasizes a close, loving relationship between the devotee and the deity. This movement encouraged individuals to express their love for God without the need for intermediaries, such as priests or elaborate rituals.

The arrival of Islam helped facilitate the spread of Bhakti in North India by promoting ideas that rejected the caste system, which aligned with the egalitarian aspects of Bhakti philosophy. The Bhakti Movement thrived as it resonated with those disillusioned by rigid caste hierarchies.

The Bhakti Movement rejected the caste system and promoted spiritual equality, but it did not directly challenge the existing social order. By emphasizing personal devotion over ritualistic practices, it retained many followers from lower castes within Hinduism.

Kabir is known for his rejection of major religious traditions and his assertion of the belief in one God. His teachings criticized both Hindu and Muslim orthodoxy, promoting a universal approach to spirituality based on love and devotion.

The hagiographies written about Alvars and Nayanars served to document their lives, teachings, and contributions to the Bhakti Movement. These biographies celebrated their devotion and made their spiritual insights accessible to a wider audience, reinforcing their importance in Indian spiritual history.

Sufism played a significant role in fostering syncretism between Hinduism and Islam during the Bhakti Movement. Both Sufi and Bhakti saints shared similar values of love, devotion, and compassion, which facilitated mutual understanding and respect between communities.

Shankaracharya promoted Advaita Vedanta, which teaches that the individual soul (Atman) and the Supreme God (Brahman) are one. His philosophy emphasizes knowledge (jnan) as the path to salvation, highlighting a non-dualistic approach to spirituality.