Surdas
Explanation
The Bhakti movement in North India during the medieval period led to the proliferation of devotional literature in vernacular languages. Surdas was a prominent saint of the Saguna school (specifically the Krishna Bhakti branch) and is celebrated for his compositions in Braj Bhasha.
Option Analysis
- Tulsidas: Incorrect. Tulsidas was a devotee of Lord Rama and is best known for authoring the Ramcharitmanas in the Awadhi dialect. His other major works include Vinayapatrika and Kavitavali.
- Surdas: Correct. Surdas is the author of Sursagara (Ocean of Melody), as well as Sur Saravali and Sahitya Lahari. He was a disciple of Vallabhacharya and one of the Ashtachhap (eight poets) of the Pushtimarg sect. His poetry vividly describes the childhood (Bal Leela) and youth of Lord Krishna.
- Kabir: Incorrect. Kabir was a leading figure of the Nirguna school (devotion to a formless God). His verses and couplets (Dohas) are compiled in the Bijak, Sakhi Granth, and Kabir Granthawali.
- Ramanuja: Incorrect. Ramanuja was an earlier philosopher (11th–12th century) from South India who propounded the philosophy of Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Monism). He wrote primarily in Sanskrit, with works such as the Sri Bhashya and Vedarthasangraha.
Key Takeaway: Sursagara is a classic work of Krishna Bhakti literature composed in Braj Bhasha by the blind poet-saint Surdas.