History ยท General Awareness

Hindu Deities and Epics

2,870 Questions

Hindu mythology involves a vast pantheon of deities, including Vishnu and his avatars, alongside epic narratives. This topic explores Puranas, celestial sages, and legendary kings. These questions form a crucial part of the general awareness section in SSC and state exams.

Avatars of VishnuPuranic textsCelestial sagesGoddesses in mythologyLegendary kings

Hindu Deities and Epics Questions

Multiple choice

In the epic poem The Ramayana, what is the name of the demon king who kidnaps Sita, the wife of Rama?

  1. Ravana

  2. Kumbhakarna

  3. Vibhishana

  4. Indrajit
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ravana is the demon king who kidnaps Sita in the epic poem The Ramayana.

Multiple choice

In the epic poem The Mahabharata, what is the name of the battlefield where the Pandavas and Kauravas fight?

  1. Kurukshetra

  2. Hastinapura

  3. Indraprastha

  4. Dwarka
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Pandavas and Kauravas fight on the battlefield of Kurukshetra in the epic poem The Mahabharata.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the demon that Lord Krishna killed?

  1. Kamsa.

  2. Putana.

  3. Bakasura.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Lord Krishna killed the demons Kamsa, Putana, and Bakasura.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the weapon that Lord Krishna used to kill Kamsa?

  1. Sudarshana Chakra.

  2. Kaumodaki Mace.

  3. Sharanga Bow.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Lord Krishna used the Kaumodaki Mace to kill Kamsa.

Multiple choice

What was the most common deity depicted on Kushana coins?

  1. Shiva

  2. Vishnu

  3. Brahma

  4. Indra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The most common deity depicted on Kushana coins was Shiva. This was because the Kushanas were Shaivites, and Shiva was their patron deity.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a traditional character type in Kathakali?

  1. Hero

  2. Villain

  3. Comic character

  4. Animal character
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Kathakali does not traditionally feature animal characters as characters.

Multiple choice

In Hindu mythology, what is the name of the elephant-headed god of wisdom and knowledge?

  1. Ganesha

  2. Shiva

  3. Vishnu

  4. Brahma
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ganesha is a Hindu god often depicted with an elephant head and is associated with wisdom, knowledge, and prosperity.

Multiple choice

Which Indian deity is commonly associated with comets?

  1. Shiva

  2. Vishnu

  3. Brahma

  4. Indra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Hindu mythology, comets are often linked to the god Shiva. Shiva is known as the destroyer and transformer, and comets are seen as symbols of his transformative power.

Multiple choice

Who is the primary deity of the Rigveda?

  1. Indra

  2. Agni

  3. Varuna

  4. Soma
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Indra is the most frequently mentioned deity in the Rigveda, and is often associated with thunder, rain, and war.

Multiple choice

In Sattriya, the classical dance form from Assam, which deity is worshipped as the supreme creator and preserver of the universe?

  1. Shiva

  2. Vishnu

  3. Krishna

  4. Durga
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, is the central deity in Sattriya. His divine qualities and cosmic significance are expressed through graceful and emotive movements.

Multiple choice

In Hindu mythology, who was the god of creation?

  1. Brahma

  2. Vishnu

  3. Shiva

  4. Indra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Brahma was the god of creation and the creator of the universe.

Multiple choice

Which Hindu deity is often associated with the protection of the environment and natural resources?

  1. Lord Shiva

  2. Lord Vishnu

  3. Lord Brahma

  4. Goddess Lakshmi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lord Shiva is often associated with the protection of the environment and natural resources in Hindu mythology. He is known as the 'Lord of the Mountains' and is revered as the protector of forests, wildlife, and the natural world.

Multiple choice

Which mythological figure is believed to have inspired the creation of Mohiniyattam?

  1. Mohini

  2. Shiva

  3. Vishnu

  4. Lakshmi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mohiniyattam is said to have been inspired by the mythological figure Mohini, a female avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu.

Multiple choice

In Indian art, the sun is often depicted as a deity riding a chariot. What is the name of this solar deity?

  1. Surya

  2. Chandra

  3. Indra

  4. Varuna
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Surya, the sun god, is frequently represented in Indian art as a deity riding a chariot drawn by seven horses. He is associated with light, warmth, and energy, and his iconography often includes a halo or rays emanating from his head.

Multiple choice

Which astronomical event is commonly depicted in Indian art using the motif of a churning ocean?

  1. Solar Eclipse

  2. Lunar Eclipse

  3. Solstice

  4. Samudra Manthan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean, is a significant event in Hindu mythology. It is often depicted in Indian art as a group of gods and demons pulling on a serpent wrapped around Mount Mandara, causing the ocean to churn and release various treasures, including the elixir of immortality.