Bhakti and Sufi Movement (Part-II)

Total Questions: 43

41. Whose contemporary was Tulsidas ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2004]

Correct Answer: (a) Akbar and Jahangir
Solution:The famous devotee/saint Goswami Tulsidas was the contemporary of Akbar and Jahangir. Although, Humayun, Akbar and Jahangir were Mughal emperors during the lifetime fo Tulsidas. He wrote, 'Ramcharitmanas" and 'Vinay Patrika' are best among all of them. Tulsidas had no relation with the court. He spent most of his time in Banaras (Varanasi). He finds mention in Ain-i-Akbari of Abul Fazl.

42. The book, "Ramcharitmanas" was written by [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]

Correct Answer: (a) Tulsidas
Solution:The book, "Ramcharitmanas" was written by Goswami Tulsidas in Awadhi language.

The Ramcharitmanas is based on the Ramayana, sage Valmiki's great epic. The poem was written in the 16th century in the Awadhi dialect which is mainly spoken in the areas that are today's Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya districts. It is divided into seven chapters (Kand) that tell the story of Lord Ram from birth to his becoming King of Ayodhya. It is the holiest book of the Indo-Gangetic region, and among the world's most-read holy books - by one estimate, Geeta Press (Gorakhpur) has sold almost 7 crore copies.

Goswami Tulsidas

Tulsidas, a Brahmin whose original name was Ram Bola Dubey. He composed the Ramcharitmanas on the bank of the Ganga in Varanasi - he is said to have begun writing on Ram Navami day in 1574 and completed the poem over the next few years. He lived in the time of Emperor Akbar, and some believe that he was in touch with Abdurrahim Khan- e-Khanan, the son of Akbar's commander Bairam Khan, and they possibly exchanged some poetic communication as well. Besides Ramcharitmanas, Ramlalla Nahachhu, Barvai Ramayan, Ramagya Prashna, Parvati Mangal, and Janaki Mangal in the Awadhi language are some of Tulsidas' popular works.

43. Which of the following is not a composition of Saint Tulsidas ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (d) Sahitya Ratna
Solution:Gitavali, Kavitavali, and Vinay Patrika were written by Saint Tulsidas.

Saint Surdas, revered for his intense devotion to Lord Krishna, is the author of Sahitya Ratna. Blind from birth, he belonged to the Saguna School of the Bhakti Kal. Apart from Sahitya Ratna, Surdas has also composed Sur Sagar (Ocean of Melody), and Sur Saravali. His works, primarily centered around his spiritual affection for Lord Krishna, are celebrated for their melodious and devotional undertone.