Context:
State cabinet clears proposal to rename Pune Airport as ‘Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj International Airport’
Sant Tukaram:
- 17th-century saint poet and philosopher.
- Key figure in the Bhakti movement of Maharashtra.
- Emphasized equality, devotion to God, and social reform.
- Contemporary of Shivaji Maharaj
- Belonged to the Warkari sect along with saints like Dnyaneshwar, Eknath, and Namdev.
- Key Contributions –
- Renowned for his Abhanga devotional poetry.
- Abhangas are devotional hymns in praise of Lord Panduranga (Vitthal), an incarnation of Vishnu.
- Promoted community-oriented worship through spiritual songs known as Kirtans.
- Renowned for his Abhanga devotional poetry.
- Famous Work – Tukaram Gatha (1632-1650), a collection of about 4500 Abhangas in Marathi.
Source: Hindustan Times
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. Saint Nimbarka was not a contemporary of Akbar because the history of Akbar dates down to the 16th century AD (1556 to 1605 AD) whereas Nimbarka was a 13th century philosopher in South India.
Statement 2 is not correct. Sant Kabir Das was a 15th century philosopher and poet whereas Sirhindi lived in the 17th century.
