Question Details

Saguna bhakti traditions do not include:

Options

A

Traditions that focused on the worship of specific deities such as Shiva, Vishnu and his avatars (incarnations)

B

Forms of the goddess or Devi, all often conceptualized in anthropomorphic forms

C

Worship of an abstract form of god

D

Worship of a form of god with attributes

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option C

Worship of an abstract form of god

Solution :

The correct option is: Worship of an abstract form of god

In the history of Indian religions, particularly during the Bhakti movement, traditions of devotion are broadly classified into two categories: Saguna (with attributes) and Nirguna (without attributes).

The term Saguna is derived from Sanskrit, where "sa" means "with" and "guna" means "attributes" or "qualities." Therefore, Saguna bhakti refers to the devotion directed towards a personal God manifested with specific forms, qualities, and anthropomorphic attributes.
This tradition includes:
1. The worship of specific anthropomorphic deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, and His avatars (incarnations like Rama and Krishna).
2. The worship of various forms of the Goddess (Devi), often conceptualized in physical, visible forms.
3. The belief and practice of worshipping a form of God with tangible attributes.

Conversely, the worship of an abstract, formless, and attribute-less ultimate reality or God is referred to as Nirguna bhakti (where "nir" means "without").
Since the question asks what Saguna bhakti traditions do not include, the correct answer is the worship of an abstract form of God, which is the defining characteristic of Nirguna bhakti.

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