Correct Option
Ramananda is widely recognized as the first Bhakti saint to extensively use Hindi and other vernacular languages for the propagation of his spiritual message. This approach marked a significant departure from the traditional use of Sanskrit, making Bhakti teachings accessible to a wider audience, including individuals from diverse social strata and lower castes. His inclusive philosophy is evident in his disciples, who included figures like Kabir (a weaver), Ravidas (a cobbler), Sena (a barber), and Pipa (a Rajput).
Incorrect Options
Dadu Dayal (1544–1603) was a prominent Bhakti saint who preached in Hindi and Rajasthani. However, his period of activity was in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, considerably later than Ramananda.
Kabir (1440–1518) was a significant figure in the Bhakti movement and a direct disciple of Ramananda. He extensively used Hindi in his poetic compositions (dohe) to convey his spiritual and social messages. While a powerful proponent of Bhakti in Hindi, he was not the first, having been influenced by his guru, Ramananda.
Tulsidas (1532–1623) is celebrated for his monumental work, the 'Ramcharitmanas,' composed in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi. His contributions to Hindi literature and the Bhakti tradition are immense. However, he lived and preached much later than Ramananda, in the 16th and early 17th centuries.