The preaching of which medieval saint are compiled in 'Abhang"?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) Tukaram

Explanation:

• Sant Tukaram was a prominent 17th-century Marathi poet-saint of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra.
• His devotional poetry is widely known as 'Abhang' (meaning 'unbroken' or 'indestructible').
• These Abhangs are dedicated to Lord Vithoba (also known as Vitthala or Panduranga), a form of Lord Vishnu/Krishna.
• He is considered the pinnacle (Kalas) of the Varkari tradition.
• His work is compiled in the Tukaram Gatha.

Information Booster:

• The Varkari sect is a religious movement within the Bhakti spiritual tradition of Maharashtra.
• Tukaram is often grouped with other great Varkari saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, and Eknath.
• The Varkari pilgrims undertake an annual pilgrimage (Wari) to the Vithoba Temple in Pandharpur.
• He was a contemporary of the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• His poetry emphasizes egalitarianism, rejecting caste hierarchies and focusing on direct devotion.

Additional Knowledge: (a) Dadu (Dadu Dayal):

• He was a poet-saint from the Nirguna Bhakti tradition, largely active in Rajasthan.
• He founded the Dadu Panth.
• His teachings are compiled in the book 'Dadu Anubhav Vani'.

(c) Basavanna:

• He was a 12th-century statesman, philosopher, and social reformer from Karnataka.
• He is associated with the Lingayat (Virashaiva) movement.
• His literary contributions are known as 'Vachana Sahitya' (Vachanas), written in Kannada.

(d) Ravidas (Raidas):

• He was a mystic poet-saint of the North Indian Bhakti movement and a disciple of Ramananda.
• He advocated for the removal of social divisions of caste and gender.
• Around 40 of his hymns are incorporated in the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib.