Explanation: Sant Tukaram, a 16th-century Marathi poet-saint, is a significant figure in the Bhakti movement, which was a devotional movement in Hinduism that emphasized personal devotion to a deity over ritualistic practices. Tukaram was born in the village of Dehu, near Pune, in Maharashtra, and his life and works have had a profound impact on Marathi literature and society.
Tukaram's primary contribution to the Bhakti movement was his poetry, known as Abhangas, which are devotional songs dedicated to Lord Vitthal, a form of Lord Vishnu. These Abhangas are not only spiritual but also social in nature. Tukaram used his poetry to critique the social and religious practices of his time, particularly the hypocrisy and superstition that he observed among the religious leaders and the general populace.
The Bhakti movement, which Tukaram was a part of, aimed to reform Hinduism by emphasizing personal devotion and the direct relationship between the devotee and the deity, bypassing the need for intermediaries like priests. This movement challenged the rigid caste system and the ritualistic practices that were prevalent in society. Tukaram's work was particularly critical of the Brahmins, who were seen as the custodians of religious knowledge and rituals, but who often used their position for personal gain and to maintain social hierarchies.
Tukaram's Abhangas are characterized by their simplicity and directness, making them accessible to the common people. His poetry often includes dialogues with Lord Vitthal, where he expresses his devotion and also questions the deity about the injustices and hypocrisies he sees in society. This approach made his work both spiritually uplifting and socially transformative.
In contrast, other saints of the Bhakti movement, such as Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Eknath, while also contributing to social reform, had different focuses. Sant Dnyaneshwar is best known for his philosophical work, the Dnyaneshwari, which is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. His work, while addressing social issues, is more focused on spiritual enlightenment and the interpretation of Hindu scriptures. Sant Eknath, on the other hand, contributed to Marathi literature and moral teachings, but his work did not emphasize the strong criticism of hypocrisy and superstition as much as Tukaram's did.
Therefore, Sant Tukaram is the correct answer as he is the one who criticized the hypocrisy and superstition in society in very strong terms through his Abhangas, making him a significant figure in the Bhakti movement and Marathi literature.