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SSC CPO 2025 PYQ — Question 52

SSC CPO - 9 Dec 2025 - Shift 2 • General Awareness • Q52

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The Bhakti saint who propagated devotion to Rama in the Awadhi dialect was:

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

Answer: Tulsidas.
Explanation:

  • Goswami Tulsidas (1532–1623) was the foremost poet of the Ram-bhakti (devotion to Ram) branch within the Sagun (manifest form) stream of the *Bhakti* (devotional) period. Despite being a Sanskrit scholar, he adopted the vernacular language—Awadhi—as the medium for his preaching and literature, ensuring that the Ramkatha (the story of Ram) could reach the masses. His most significant work is the Ramcharitmanas, the composition of which he commenced in Ayodhya in 1574 AD (Vikram Samvat 1631). This text is regarded as the finest exemplar of the Awadhi language. Tulsidas established Ram as Maryada Purushottam (the Ideal Man) and propagated a message of harmony (Samanvayvad) within society—specifically, unity among different religions, castes, and sects.

Additional Points:

  • Kabir: He was a poet of the Nirgun (formless/abstract) stream of the Bhakti movement. His linguistic style is referred to as Sadhukkadi or Panchmel Khichdi (a mixed dialect). He opposed idol worship and external rituals.
  • Surdas: He was a poet of the Krishna-bhakti (devotion to Krishna) branch and primarily composed the Sursagar in the Braj language. He is hailed as the 'Ship of the Ashtachhap' (the group of eight prominent Bhakti poets).
  • Namdev: He was a renowned saint from Maharashtra. He composed works in both Marathi and Hindi. Some of his compositions are also enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs.
  • Other works by Tulsidas: Kavitavali, Gitavali, Vinay Patrika (in Braj language), and Dohavali.

Probable Questions and Answers for Examinations:
Question 1: In which specific language or dialect was the Ramcharitmanas composed?
Answer: Awadhi.
Question 2: In which language did Tulsidas compose the Vinay Patrika?
Answer: Braj language (Note: Tulsidas possessed equal mastery over both Awadhi and Braj).
Question 3: Which famous Bhakti saint was a contemporary of the Mughal Emperor Akbar?
Answer: Goswami Tulsidas. Question 4: Who has been accorded the most prominent position among the poets of the 'Ashtachhap'?
Answer: Surdas.