Question map
Consider the following statements : 1. 'Bijak' is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal. 2. The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The correct answer is option D - Neither statement 1 nor 2 is correct.
Bijak is the best-known compilation of the teachings of Kabir and not of Dadu Dayal.[1] Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect. Kabir was a 15th-century saint and poet who played a significant role in the Bhakti movement, and the Bijak contains his verses and teachings.
Regarding statement 2, the philosophy of Pushti Marg (The path of Grace) was propounded by Vallabhacharya (1479-1531).[2] In contrast, Madhavacharya propounded Dvaita or dualism.[2] Therefore, statement 2 is also incorrect. Pushti Marg emphasizes devotion and divine grace as the path to salvation, while Madhvacharya's Dvaita philosophy focused on the dualistic distinction between the soul and God.
Since both statements are incorrect, the answer is D.
SourcesPROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Swap Trap' question where the examiner switches the attributes of two famous entities. It is 100% static history covered in NCERT Themes Part II and TN Board History. The strategy is simple: Memorize the 'Saint-Book-Philosophy' triad for all major Bhakti figures.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- 'Bijak' is explicitly identified as a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal in this passage.
- This passage directly affirms the statement without qualification.
- Explicitly contradicts the statement by identifying Bijak as the best-known compilation of Kabir's teachings, not Dadu Dayal's.
- Provides a clear refutation that directly conflicts with the supporting passage.
Mentions the 'Kabir Bijak' as a named compilation preserved by a specific sect (Kabirpanth) and distinguishes it from other compilations (Kabir Granthavali associated with Dadupanth).
A student could use this pattern (Bijak as a named compilation linked to a particular saint/sect) plus knowledge of which sect preserves texts to check whether a 'Bijak' is associated with Dadu Dayal or his sect (Dadupanth).
States that compositions of poet-saints were often compiled by disciples or devotees, generally after the saint's death.
Combine this rule with historical info on Dadu Dayal and his followers to see if his teachings were compiled posthumously into a work titled 'Bijak'.
Shows the precedent that the sayings of various bhakti poets and saints were collected into authoritative compilations (e.g., sayings of Namdev, Kabir in Guru Granth Sahib).
Use this general precedent to justify checking whether Dadu Dayal's teachings were similarly collected into a named compendium like a 'Bijak'.
Describes how poet-saints' compositions were compiled and integrated into ritual and textual traditions (e.g., sung, compiled, preserved at shrines).
A student could investigate whether Dadu Dayal's verses were compiled into a text used by his followers in liturgy or preserved by his sect under the title 'Bijak'.
- Explicitly states who propounded Pushti Marg, naming Vallabhacharya rather than Madhvacharya.
- Contrasts Vallabhacharya with Madhvacharya, saying Madhvacharya propounded Dvaita, thus refuting the statement.
- Cites a reference (Lucent GK) that Vallabhacharya propounded the philosophy of Pushtimarg.
- Draws the conclusion that the related statement about Madhvacharya is incorrect ('neither 1 nor 2 are correct').
States that Chaitanya belonged to the philosophical school of Madhavacharya and explicitly identifies Madhavacharya as a chief advocate of the Dvaita (dualism) school.
A student could use this to check whether Pushti Marg is described elsewhere as Dvaita or as a separate school (if Pushti Marg is not Dvaita, it likely was not propounded by Madhvacharya).
Contains a multiple‑choice item listing Madhavacharya and 'Pushti marga' as distinct options for 'philosophical school of' — implying they are considered separate named schools in the same pedagogical context.
A student could infer that Pushti Marga is treated as a distinct philosophical/sectarian label and therefore check whether that label maps to Madhvacharya or to a different founder.
Explains that the bhakti movement produced several Vaishnava scholars who expounded distinct philosophies (e.g., Ramanuja's Vishistadvaita vs. Sankara's Advaita).
A student could use the pattern—different bhakti leaders founding distinct schools—to hypothesize that Pushti Marg may have its own founder rather than being Madhvacharya's doctrine.
Describes the bhakti movement producing many sects and doctrines, indicating multiple distinct devotional paths arose historically.
A student could treat Pushti Marg as one such devotional path and investigate whether historical patterns attribute its doctrine to Madhvacharya or to another teacher.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from NCERT Themes in Indian History Part II (Page 161 mentions Kabir Bijak) and TN Class XI (Page 196 distinguishes Madhvacharya from Pushti Marg).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Bhakti & Sufi Traditions > The crystallization of oral traditions into texts (Bijak, Granthavali) and philosophical schools (Vedanta schools).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Six Schools of Vedanta' & Bhakti equivalents: 1) Shankara = Advaita (Monism), 2) Ramanuja = Vishishtadvaita, 3) Madhvacharya = Dvaita (Dualism), 4) Nimbarka = Dvaitadvaita, 5) Vallabhacharya = Shuddhadvaita (Pushti Marg), 6) Chaitanya = Achintya Bheda Abheda.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just read names. Create a 'Confusion Matrix'. If the question mentions 'Bijak', ask 'Is it Kabir?'. If it mentions 'Pushti Marg', ask 'Is it Vallabhacharya?'. The examiner relies on you knowing the names but forgetting the specific pairings.
Reference [1] shows specific compilations (Kabir Bijak, Kabir Granthavali, Adi Granth) are tied to particular sects (Kabirpanth, Dadupanth), highlighting how texts are preserved by religious communities.
UPSC questions often test attribution and provenance of religious texts. Mastering how sects preserve and name compilations helps correctly attribute texts to saints/sects and avoid confusion between similarly named works. Prepare by mapping key saints to their principal compilations and the sects that guard them.
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > 8.1 Weaving a divine fabric: Kabir > p. 161
Reference [7] explains that compositions of poet-saints were often compiled by disciples posthumously, a process relevant to claims about who authored or compiled a 'Bijak'.
Understanding the common practice of posthumous compilation aids in evaluating provenance claims and source reliability in history questions. This concept links to textual criticism and the study of hagiographies; practise by reviewing examples where disciples compiled poets' works and noting sectal variations.
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > Bhakti- Sufi Traditions Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional T tional Ttional Texts (c. eighth to eighteenth century) > p. 140
Reference [5] outlines different genre-types (treatises, malfuzat) and compilation practices by religious orders, which is relevant for assessing claims about the origin of a named text like 'Bijak'.
High-yield for questions on historical sources and methods — knowing genres and compilation norms helps evaluate authenticity and origin of texts across traditions. Study by categorising source-types and matching examples to religious traditions.
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > Varieties of sources used to reconstruct the history of sufi traditions > p. 166
References identify Madhavacharya with Dvaita and Ramanuja with Vishishtadvaita, showing relevance of Vedanta classifications to questions about who propounded which sect.
UPSC often asks to match religious leaders with their philosophical schools and contrast doctrinal differences. Mastering the names and basic positions of the three classical Vedanta schools helps answer identification and comparison questions, and connects to topics on Bhakti movements and regional religious developments. Prepare by creating a concise table of proponents, core tenets, and historical impact.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti Movement in India > Ramananda (1400-1470) > p. 195
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti Movement in India > 13.2 Spread of Bhakti Movement to the North India > p. 192
Evidence links individual bhakti leaders (e.g., Chaitanya, Ramananda) to specific Vedanta schools, illustrating that bhakti movements often had distinct philosophical backdrops.
Questions frequently require linking bhakti saints/movements to their doctrinal origins. Knowing these affiliations enables quick elimination in MCQs and supports essay arguments about doctrinal diversity within Bhakti. Study by mapping prominent bhakti figures to their philosophical lineage and regional base.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti Movement in India > Ramananda (1400-1470) > p. 195
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti Movement in India > 13.2 Spread of Bhakti Movement to the North India > p. 192
References describe the south-to-north spread of bhakti and how Vaishnava scholars developed devotional doctrine at a philosophical level.
High-yield for polity/culture sections: questions probe causes, regional trajectories, and intellectual elaboration of Bhakti. Understanding how regional contexts linked to doctrinal schools aids in analytical answers and source-based questions. Revise chronology, regional centres, and key doctrinal contributions from primary scholars.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti Movement in India > 13.2 Spread of Bhakti Movement to the North India > p. 192
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti Movement in India > Introduction > p. 190
Since Dadu Dayal was a distractor here, he is a candidate for future questions. Fact: Dadu Dayal was a Nirguna saint from Gujarat/Rajasthan. His teachings were compiled by his disciples (Rajjab and Jagannath) into 'Dadu Anubhav Vani' and 'Harde Vani'. He founded the 'Brahma Sampradaya'.
The 'Famous Mismatch' Heuristic: 'Bijak' is the single most famous work associated with Kabir. If a statement attributes the *most famous* work of Saint A to Saint B, it is almost certainly false. Similarly, Madhvacharya is the champion of 'Dvaita' (Dualism/Logic); 'Pushti' implies 'Grace/Emotion' (Vallabha). The vibe of the philosopher doesn't match the school.
Connect Bhakti Philosophy to GS4 (Ethics): The 'Pushti Marg' (Path of Grace) represents a shift from 'Karma' (Ritual action) and 'Jnana' (Knowledge) to 'Bhakti' (Surrender). This parallels the ethical shift from rigid deontological rules to virtue ethics and love-based morality in medieval India.