Q. Who among the following, was known as a “Nirguna” reformer?
(a) Chaitanya
(b) Kabir
(c) Surdas
(d) Tulsidas
Ans: (b) Kabir
Explanation: The “Nirguna” reformer among the options provided is (b) Kabir.
Kabir was a 15th-century mystic poet and saint who played a significant role in the Bhakti movement in India. He is widely regarded as a “Nirguna” reformer due to his philosophy and teachings.
“Nirguna” refers to the belief in the formless and attributeless nature of God. It emphasizes that God transcends all qualities and cannot be confined or limited by human conceptions or characteristics. Instead of focusing on external rituals and worship, the followers of the “Nirguna” philosophy seek a direct and personal connection with the divine.
Kabir’s teachings revolved around the unity of God and the underlying spiritual essence that unifies all beings. He criticized the rigid religious divisions and rituals of his time and advocated for a simple and direct approach to spirituality. Kabir’s poems and verses, often composed in vernacular languages accessible to the common people, emphasize the universal nature of divine love and the importance of inner spiritual realization.
While Chaitanya, Surdas, and Tulsidas were also significant figures in the Bhakti movement, Kabir is specifically associated with the “Nirguna” approach to spirituality.