Q. From the thirteenth to the seventeenth centuries Maharashtra saw a great number of saint-poets. Consider the following statements:
- Their Bhakti focused on the Vitthala (a form of Vishnu) temple in Pandharpur.
- A new humanist idea emerged as they insisted that Bhakti lay in sharing others' pain.
Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer:
Both 1 and 2
Notes: The most important Maharashtra saint-poets were Dnyaneshwar (Gyaneshwar), Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram and women like Sakhubai and the family of Chokhamela, who belonged to the "untouchable" Mahar caste. This regional tradition of Bhakti focused on the Vitthala (a form of Vishnu) temple in Pandharpur, as well as on the notion of a personal God residing in the hearts of all people. These saint-poets rejected all forms of ritualism, outward display of piety and social differences based on birth. In fact they even rejected the idea of renunciation and preferred to live with their families, earning their livelihood like any other person, while humbly serving fellow human beings in need. A new humanist idea emerged as they insisted that Bhakti lay in sharing others' pain. As the famous Gujarati saint Narsi Mehta said, "They are Vaishnavas, who understand the pain of others."