Correct Option
The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The Bhakti tradition in Maharashtra, prominent from the 13th to the 17th centuries, is primarily identified with the Varkari sect. This movement centered around the shrine of Lord Vitthala (a form of Vishnu) in Pandharpur and emphasized a personal connection with the divine through vernacular poetry (Abhangs).
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Maharashtra Bhakti tradition (Varkari sect) focused on the worship of Vitthala at the Pandharpur temple, not Goddess Durga at Tuljapur. While the worship of Goddess Durga is prevalent in Maharashtra, the specific "saint-poet" tradition referred to in this context is Vaishnavite in nature.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The saint-poets of this tradition, such as Eknath and Tukaram, rejected the idea of renunciation (sannyasa). They preferred to live with their families, earning their livelihood like ordinary people, while humbly serving fellow human beings. They emphasized that true devotion lies in sharing the pain of others.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect. These saint-poets explicitly rejected all social differences based on birth. They criticized the caste system and ritualism. The movement included saints from various social backgrounds, including Chokhamela and his family, who belonged to a caste considered "untouchable" at the time.
Key Takeaway: The Maharashtra Bhakti tradition (Varkari) was a Vaishnavite movement centered on Vitthala that advocated for humanism, rejected caste hierarchies, and promoted devotion within the householder life rather than asceticism.