Question

Name any two saints of Maharashtra.

Answer 1

HINT: The Bhakti Movement originated in eighth century south India and spread Northwards, it acted as the catalyst to the formation of Sikhism. The movement can be referred to the theistic devotional trend emerged in Medieval Hinduism.

Step by step answer:
a)Samarth Guru Ramdas- Chatrapati Shivaji was influenced by the ideas of both Sant Tukaram and Guru Ramdas. Guru Ramdas real name was Narayan, but he preferred to be called Ramdas meaning “The servant of Rama”. Since childhood, he was devoted towards worship of Lord Rama and religion. He looked up Lord Hanuman as the god of strength, power and control. He believed that Lord Hanuman was the epitome of Brahmacharya. He made Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama his ideals, later built a number of temples in honor of them both in Maharashtra.
He belonged to the period when there was a great amount of religious persecution from Muslim Sultans but he preached to the people that religion is the most precious possession of man and one must protect their faith.
b)Sant Tuka Ram never met the Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shivaji, but the ruler was widely influenced by his principles and ideals. Sant Tuka Ram, was born in 1608 in a village near Poona in a Vaishya family. Like various saints, he spent his days singing devotional songs and praising the deities. He composed and sang devotional songs by himself. He firmly believed in the message of equality and brotherhood. Large number of people used to gather to listen to him, where he performed devotional songs called “Abhangas” and he preached people about peace of mind, forgiveness and virtues of piety.

NOTES: All the saints strongly preached the need for tolerance and respect among humans. Mostly, the Bhakti Saints belonged to the lower castes, hence the movement gained momentum because it challenged the superiority of Brahmans.