AVedic and Non-Vedic
BSaguna and Nirguna
COrthodox and Reformist
DShaiva and Vaishnava
Answer:
B. Saguna and Nirguna
Read Explanation:
Primary Forms of Worship:
The Bhakti movement, a significant spiritual and social reform movement in India, broadly categorizes worship into two main types: Saguna and Nirguna.
Saguna Bhakti:
Definition: Saguna refers to the worship of a deity who is believed to possess attributes (guna means attributes or qualities). This involves devotion to a personal God with a specific form, name, and characteristics.
Characteristics:
Devotees focus on the physical form and divine qualities of the deity.
Practices often include idol worship, singing devotional songs (bhajans), reciting prayers, fasting, and celebrating festivals associated with the deity.
Prominent deities in Saguna Bhakti include Vishnu (and his avatars like Rama and Krishna) and Shiva.
Key Figures: Many prominent Bhakti saints, such as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (devoted to Krishna), Tulsidas (devoted to Rama), and Mirabai (devoted to Krishna), exemplified Saguna Bhakti.
Nirguna Bhakti:
Definition: Nirguna refers to the worship of a formless, attributeless, and all-pervading God. This path emphasizes the transcendence of God beyond human comprehension and physical representation.
Characteristics:
Devotees focus on the abstract concept of the divine, often meditating on the formless absolute.
Practices tend to be more philosophical and introspective, emphasizing inner devotion and spiritual realization over external rituals.
This form of worship often draws from philosophical traditions like Advaita Vedanta.