Q. Which of the following statements is true regarding the 17th-century Marathi saint-poetess Bahinabai (Bahina)?

[A] She was a Saguna saint known for composing Vachanas in Kannada, which lamented the decline of the Vijayanagar Empire.

[B] She belonged to the Varkari tradition and composed Abhangas that detailed the conflict between her profound devotion to Lord Vithoba and her traditional marital duties.

[C] She was unique in the Bhakti movement for being the only woman to reject the need for a Guru or spiritual guide to attain liberation.

[D] Her poetry is credited with being the first to introduce the concept of ninda stuti (lovingly scolding the divine) into Marathi devotional literature.

Answer: B
Notes:

Explanation:

  • Option (b) is the correct statement. Bahinabai (1628–1700 CE) was a 17th-century poet-saint of Maharashtra in the Varkari tradition. She was a disciple of the low-caste saint Tukaram. Her Abhangas are highly autobiographical and are known for exploring the difficult balance between her intense, personal devotion to Vithoba and the expectation of serving her husband (pativrata dharma), often concluding with her respecting her marital obligations while maintaining her divine love.
  • (a) Incorrect. She composed Abhangas in Marathi. Vachanas are associated with Kannada Virashaivism.
  • (c) Incorrect. She was a dedicated disciple of Tukaram, highlighting the importance of the Guru.
  • (d) Incorrect. Ninda Stuti is a feature often found in the compositions of other saints like Tyagaraja (in Carnatic music) and certain Nayanar saints, and was not uniquely introduced by Bahinabai in Marathi.
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