UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 69 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Sufi Mystics Practices
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectMedieval History
- TopicBhakti and Sufi Movement
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices?
1. Meditation and control of breath.
2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place.
3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Show answer
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Analysis
Sufi mystics in medieval India followed practices aimed at spiritual purification and direct experience of the Divine.
These included meditation, ascetic discipline and devotional music.
Statement by statement
1. Meditation and control of breath — Correct
Sufi mystics practised dhikr, or remembrance of God, often with controlled breathing.
Some Sufi orders, especially the Chishtis, also adopted yogic practices such as breath control for concentration and spiritual discipline.
2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place — Correct
Sufis practised asceticism, poverty and self-discipline.
They sometimes undertook chilla, a 40-day retreat involving solitary prayer and strict spiritual discipline to purify the soul.
3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience — Correct
This practice is known as Sama.
Through devotional music and poetry, including qawwali, Sufis sought to create spiritual ecstasy called wajd and bring devotees closer to God.
Extra UPSC info
* Silsila means a Sufi order or spiritual lineage.
* Khanqah was the hospice or centre where a Sufi master lived with disciples.
* Pir or Shaikh refers to the Sufi spiritual guide.
* Murid means disciple.
* Ziyarat refers to visiting the tombs of Sufi saints.
* The Chishti order was the most popular Sufi order in India.
* Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti established the Chishti order at Ajmer.
How to crack it
All three practices are associated with Sufi mystics because they used meditation, ascetic retreat and devotional music for spiritual purification and divine experience.