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MCQs on the Bhakti Movement

Moderate Level: 

1.  Consider the following statements about the Bhakti Movement:

1. It originated in South India with the Alvars and Nayanars.

2. It rejected ritualism and caste-based hierarchies.

3. It exclusively worshipped Vishnu in all regions of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

2. Assertion (A): The Bhakti saints promoted vernacular languages instead of Sanskrit.
Reason (R): They aimed to make religious ideas accessible to common people.

(a) A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

3. Match the Bhakti saint with their region:

Options:
(a) A–2, B–1, C–3, D–4
(b) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
(c) A–4, B–3, C–1, D–2
(d) A–2, B–4, C–1, D–3

4. Regarding Alvar saints:

1. They were devoted to Lord Vishnu.

2. Their hymns are collected in “Tiruvaymoli.”

3. They rejected the temple-based ritualistic practices.

Select the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

5. Which Bhakti saint described God as “Nirguna” and equated him with formless truth?
(a) Tulsidas
(b) Kabir
(c) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
(d) Namdev

 

6. Assertion (A): Kabir criticized both Hindu and Muslim orthodoxy.
Reason (R): He believed spiritual liberation could be achieved only through strict ritual practice.

(a) A and R true, R correct explanation
(b) A and R true, R not correct explanation
(c) A true, R false
(d) A false, R true

7. Regarding Guru Nanak:

1. He emphasized “Naam Japna,” “Kirat Karna,” and “Vand Chakna.”

2. He founded Khalsa Panth.

3. He rejected the caste system.

Select the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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8. Match the work with its author:

Options:
(a) A–2, B–1, C–3, D–4
(b) A–1, B–2, C–4, D–3
(c) A–2, B–4, C–1, D–3
(d) A–3, B–1, C–4, D–2

9. Regarding Nayanar saints:

1. They were Shaivite devotees.

2. They composed hymns in Tamil language.

3. They propagated Advaita philosophy exclusively.

Choose the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

10. Which feature does NOT correctly represent the Bhakti Movement?
(a) Emphasis on personal devotion
(b) Use of vernacular languages
(c) Rejection of idol worship entirely
(d) Equality among devotees

11. Assertion (A): Chaitanya Mahaprabhu propagated Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

Reason (R): He emphasized Bhakti through the singing of devotional songs (Kirtan).

(a) A and R true, R correct explanation
(b) A and R true, R not correct explanation
(c) A true, R false
(d) A false, R true

12.  Regarding the philosophical basis of Bhakti:

1. It was influenced by the Bhagavad Gita.

2. It rejected the doctrine of karma.

3. It stressed the surrender of the self to God.

Choose the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

13. Match the concept with the Bhakti Saint who emphasized it:

Options:
(a) A–2, B–1, C–3, D–4
(b) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
(c) A–2, B–4, C–1, D–3
(d) A–3, B–2, C–4, D–1

14. Regarding Basavanna:

1. He founded the Virashaiva movement.

2. He promoted equality among all castes.

3. He composed vachanas in Telugu.

Select the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

15. The term “Bhagavata Sampradaya” is most closely linked with which form of worship?
(a) Shiva
(b) Vishnu/Krishna
(c) Shakti
(d) Sun

 

16. Assertion (A): Mirabai’s poetry depicted intense personal devotion to Krishna.
Reason (R): She belonged to the royal family of Mewar but abandoned worldly life.

(a) A and R true, R correct explanation
(b) A and R true, R not correct explanation
(c) A true, R false
(d) A false, R true

17.Regarding Sant Eknath:

1. He belonged to the Varkari tradition.

2. He opposed caste discrimination.

3. He authored “Abhangas.”

Select the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

18. Match the Bhakti Saint with their main teaching:

Options:
(a) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
(b) A–2, B–3, C–4, D–1
(c) A–1, B–4, C–2, D–3
(d) A–2, B–1, C–4, D–3

19. Regarding the socio-economic context of the Bhakti Movement:

1. Urbanization and trade created new social groups open to Bhakti ideas.

2. Feudal lords strongly opposed Bhakti saints.

3. Sufi mystics influenced the Bhakti saints.

Select the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

20. Which of the following best describes “Saguna Bhakti”?
(a) Devotion to formless God
(b) Devotion to a deity with attributes and form
(c) Complete rejection of all deities
(d) Devotion to the Guru alone

 

21. Assertion (A): The Bhakti Movement fostered the growth of regional languages.
Reason (R): Bhakti saints composed in the courtly Sanskrit style to appeal to rulers.

(a) A and R true, R correct explanation
(b) A and R true, R not correct explanation
(c) A true, R false
(d) A false, R true

22. Regarding Sant Namdev:

1. He was a contemporary of Saint Dnyaneshwar.

2. His hymns are included in Guru Granth Sahib.

3. He propagated Advaita Vedanta.

Select the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

23. Match the place with the saint most associated with it:

Options:
(a) A–2, B–3, C–4, D–1
(b) A–3, B–4, C–1, D–2
(c) A–2, B–4, C–3, D–1
(d) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4

24. Which Bhakti saint is credited with introducing the “Pushti Marg” or Path of Grace?
(a) Vallabhacharya
(b) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
(c) Jnaneshwar
(d) Eknath

 

25. The Bhakti Movement is considered revolutionary because:

1. It undermined caste hierarchy.

2. It promoted equality of women.

3. It rejected the concept of Guru.

Select the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

 

Easy Level 

1. The Sanskrit word “Bhakti” is derived from which root?
   a) Bhaj
   b) Bhaktiya
   c) Bhajan
   d) Bhakta
2. Which of the following is not one of the three paths of salvation in Vedanta?
   a) Jnana Marga
   b) Karma Marga
   c) Bhakti Marga
   d) Dhyana Marga
3. Bhakti movement first originated strongly in:
   a) Bengal
   b) Tamil Nadu
   c) Gujarat
   d) Punjab
4. Alvars were the saints devoted to:
   a) Shiva
   b) Vishnu
   c) Devi
   d) Surya
5. Nayanars were the saints devoted to:
   a) Vishnu
   b) Shiva
   c) Krishna
   d) Rama
6. The text “Divya Prabandha” is associated with:
   a) Alvars
   b) Nayanars
   c) Kabirpanthis
   d) Lingayats
7. Which woman saint was an Alvar?
   a) Karaikkal Ammaiyar
   b) Andal
   c) Mirabai
   d) Lal Ded
8. Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a devotee of:
   a) Vishnu
   b) Rama
   c) Shiva
   d) Krishna
9. Who propounded Advaita philosophy?
   a) Ramanuja
   b) Shankaracharya
   c) Vallabhacharya
   d) Madhavacharya
10. Who is regarded as the founder of Vishishtadvaita philosophy?
    a) Madhavacharya
    b) Nimbarka
    c) Ramanuja
    d) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
11. “Shuddhadvaita” was propounded by:
    a) Vallabhacharya
    b) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
    c) Basava
    d) Ramananda
12. Which Bhakti saint founded the Lingayat sect?
    a) Basava
    b) Nimbarka
    c) Surdas
    d) Tukaram
13. The philosophy “Dvaitadvaita” (Bhedabheda) is associated with:
    a) Madhavacharya
    b) Nimbarka
    c) Vallabhacharya
    d) Ekanatha
14. Which Bhakti saint wrote “Soor Sagar” and “Soor Suravali”?
    a) Tulsidas
    b) Surdas
    c) Kabir
    d) Mirabai
15. The Bhakti poet-saint from Rajasthan famous for her bhajans:
    a) Andal
    b) Mirabai
    c) Lal Ded
    d) Tyagaraj
16. The book “Ramcharitmanas” was written by:
    a) Tulsidas
    b) Kabir
    c) Chaitanya
    d) Surdas
17. The Guru who founded Sikhism was:
    a) Guru Angad
    b) Guru Nanak
    c) Guru Arjan
    d) Guru Gobind Singh
18. The script Gurmukhi was standardised by:
    a) Guru Nanak
    b) Guru Angad
    c) Guru Arjan
    d) Guru Gobind Singh
19. The concept of Khalsa was introduced by:
    a) Guru Nanak
    b) Guru Arjan Dev
    c) Guru Gobind Singh
    d) Guru Angad
20. “Dnyaneshwari” is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita written by:
    a) Tukaram
    b) Dnyaneshwar (Gnanadeva)
    c) Namdeo
    d) Samartha Ramdas
21. “Vaishnava Jan To” – Gandhiji’s favourite bhajan – was written by:
    a) Narsingh Mehta
    b) Surdas
    c) Chaitanya
    d) Tyagaraj
22. The five symbols of Khalsa include all except:
    a) Kesha
    b) Kangha
    c) Kirpan
    d) Kamandalu
23. Which saint was famous for Kirtans and Gaudiya Vaishnavism?
    a) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
    b) Basava
    c) Tukaram
    d) Namdeo
24. Which Bhakti saint composed devotional poetry in Marathi and spread the Varkari tradition?
    a) Namdeo
    b) Tukaram
    c) Eknath
    d) All of these
25. One main feature of the Bhakti Movement was:
    a) Emphasis on complex rituals
    b) Worship in Sanskrit only
    c) Caste-based segregation
    d) Use of regional languages

Answers    

1. a) Bhaj

2. d) Dhyana Marga

3. b) Tamil Nadu

4. b) Vishnu

5. b) Shiva

6. a) Alvars

7. b) Andal

8. c) Shiva

9. b) Shankaracharya

10. c) Ramanuja

11. a) Vallabhacharya

12. a) Basava

13. b) Nimbarka

14. b) Surdas

15. b) Mirabai

16. a) Tulsidas

17. b) Guru Nanak

18. b) Guru Angad

19. c) Guru Gobind Singh

20. b) Dnyaneshwar (Gnanadeva)

21. a) Narsingh Mehta

22. d) Kamandalu

23. a) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

24. d) All of these

25. d) Use of regional languages