Ulat Bansi' belongs to

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
The term 'Ulat Bansi' refers to a unique and characteristic style of poetry employed by the 15th-century mystic poet and saint, Kabirdas. 'Ulat Bansi' literally means "upside-down sayings" or "inverted utterances," where Kabir used paradoxical language, riddles, and deliberately confusing imagery to convey deeper spiritual and philosophical truths. This style was designed to challenge conventional thinking, expose the hypocrisies of established religious practices, and guide the devotee toward direct spiritual experience. For instance, a common theme is describing nature in reverse (e.g., "The fish hunts the hunter"), forcing the reader to look beyond the literal meaning and contemplate the profound concepts of the Supreme Being (Nirgun Brahma) and the relationship between the self and God. This literary device is a hallmark of Kabir's *dohas* and *sakhis*.

The incorrect option is 1: Surdas was a celebrated poet of the Bhakti movement, but his poetry focused primarily on *Sarguna* devotion, glorifying the childhood exploits and love of Lord Krishna (especially in his work *Sursagar*). His style is known for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth, not for the paradoxical nature of *Ulat Bansi*.

The incorrect option is 2: Biharidas, or Bihari Lal Chaube, was a 17th-century poet renowned for his *Satasaī* (Seven Hundred Verses). His work belongs to the *Riti* period and is celebrated for its intricate depiction of *śṛṅgāra* (romantic sentiment) and poetic ornamentation, which is distinct from the esoteric and inverted style of *Ulat Bansi*.

The incorrect option is 3: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (15th–16th century) was a major saint and social reformer who popularized the congregational chanting (*sankirtan*) of the holy names of Krishna. While he was an influential spiritual figure in the Bhakti tradition, he was primarily a proponent of devotional practice, and he is not historically associated with the composition or popularization of the specific literary form known as *Ulat Bansi*.