With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements :
- Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
- Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(2016)
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 and 2
Answer: C
Siddhas believe in the oneness of the transcendental being in the world as well as charity towards men. This clearly shows they believed there is only one God, i.e. monotheism.
The Siddhar tradition has also been contrasted with the Bhakti tradition. Their attitude against idol worship and their stress on yoga, knowledge right conduct distinguished them from Bhakti cults.
Basavanna (founder of Lingayatism) rebelled against the rigid practices of the caste system then prevalent in orthodox Hindu society and eventually began expounding his own philosophy with a casteless society at its core.
Lingayats believed that there is no rebirth and on death the devotee reunites with Shiva never coming back to the World
