RAS question
Dadu Dayal, known as the 'Kabir of Rajasthan', promoted which form of devotion?
Correct answer: (C) Nirgun Bhakti (worship of formless God).
Dadu Dayal promoted Nirgun Bhakti, which centres on devotion to a formless God rather than idol worship or elaborate external rituals.
Explanation
Dadu Dayal (1544-1603 CE) was a major saint of the Bhakti tradition who later became closely associated with Rajasthan. His teachings centred on Nirgun Bhakti. Like Kabir and Guru Nanak, he emphasised devotion to a formless God and rejected idol worship and external religious rituals. He taught people to live with inner purity, honesty, compassion, humility, simplicity and moral discipline. His followers organised the Dadupanth to carry these teachings forward. It became a significant movement in Rajasthan and spread Dadu Dayal's message of devotion, equality and simplicity.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Vaishnavism is not the best answer because the question asks about Dadu Dayal's form of devotion. His teaching centred on Nirgun Bhakti in a formless God, not on a specifically Vaishnava identity.
- (B) Shaivism is incorrect because Dadu Dayal was a saint of the Nirgun Bhakti tradition, not a Shaivite saint.
- (D) Saguna Bhakti involves devotion to God with form, whereas Dadu Dayal rejected idol worship and taught devotion to a formless God.
Concept
This question tests the theme of Bhakti saints in Rajasthan's history and culture, especially how saint traditions are classified by their idea of God and mode of worship. Dadu Dayal is important for RAS because the Dadupanth and Nirgun Bhakti connect Rajasthan's religious history with the wider medieval Bhakti tradition.