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

Which of the following is NOT a major god in the Vedic pantheon?

  1. Indra

  2. Varuna

  3. Mitra

  4. Shiva

  5. Vishnu
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Shiva is a major god in Hinduism, but he is not mentioned in the Vedas.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sacred fire used in Vedic rituals?

  1. Agni

  2. Soma

  3. Brahma

  4. Vishnu

  5. Shiva
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Agni is the sacred fire used in Vedic rituals.

Multiple choice

In the ancient Indian epic "The Ramayana," who is the valiant prince known for his devotion to his wife, Sita, and his battle against the demon king Ravana?

  1. Rama

  2. Lakshmana

  3. Hanuman

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

Rama, the righteous prince of Ayodhya, is an embodiment of virtue and courage, fighting to rescue his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of the evil Ravana.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sculpture that depicts the four-armed Hindu god Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha?

  1. The Dancing Shiva

  2. The Nataraja

  3. The Vishnu Anantashayi

  4. The Buddha of Bamiyan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Vishnu Anantashayi is a famous sculpture that depicts the four-armed Hindu god Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha. It is located in the Srirangam Temple in Tamil Nadu.

Multiple choice

Which of the following paintings is known for its depiction of the goddess Lakshmi?

  1. The Descent of Ganga

  2. The Birth of Venus

  3. The Lakshmi Narasimha

  4. The Primavera
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Lakshmi Narasimha is a famous painting that depicts the goddess Lakshmi seated on the lap of the god Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar. It is housed in the National Museum in New Delhi.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sculpture that depicts the Hindu god Shiva as the lord of dance?

  1. The Dancing Shiva

  2. The Nataraja

  3. The Shiva Parvati

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

The Nataraja is a famous sculpture that depicts the Hindu god Shiva as the lord of dance. It is located in the Cholamandalam Artists' Village in Chennai.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sculpture that depicts the Hindu god Vishnu as the preserver of the universe?

  1. The Vishnu Anantashayi

  2. The Vishnu Narasimha

  3. The Vishnu Vamana

  4. The Vishnu Kurma
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Vishnu Anantashayi is a famous sculpture that depicts the Hindu god Vishnu as the preserver of the universe. It is located in the Srirangam Temple in Tamil Nadu.

Multiple choice

Who is the goddess Parvati?

  1. The wife of Lord Shiva.

  2. The daughter of Lord Brahma.

  3. The sister of Lord Vishnu.

  4. The mother of Lord Ganesha.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Parvati is the wife of Lord Shiva and is considered to be the goddess of love, marriage, and fertility.

Multiple choice

Who is the supreme being in the Ganapatya school of Hindu philosophy?

  1. Shiva

  2. Vishnu

  3. Ganesha

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

The Ganapatya school of Hindu philosophy worships Ganesha as the supreme being.

Multiple choice

Which deity is considered the primary recipient of hymns in the Atharvaveda?

  1. Indra

  2. Agni

  3. Varuna

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

Atharvan, the personification of the Atharvaveda, is the primary recipient of hymns in the text.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a deity commonly invoked in the Atharvaveda?

  1. Indra

  2. Varuna

  3. Rudra

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

Brahma, the creator god in later Hinduism, is not a prominent deity in the Atharvaveda.

Multiple choice

In ancient Indian mythology, who was the god of destruction and transformation?

  1. Shiva

  2. Vishnu

  3. Brahma

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

Shiva was the Indian god of destruction and transformation and was also known as the 'Destroyer of Evil'.

Multiple choice

In the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, what is the name of the god who is known as the preserver of the universe?

  1. Brahma

  2. Vishnu

  3. Shiva

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

Vishnu is the Hindu god who is known as the preserver of the universe and is often depicted as a blue-skinned god with four arms.

Multiple choice

What is the primary deity worshipped during Durga Puja?

  1. Goddess Lakshmi

  2. Goddess Saraswati

  3. Goddess Kali

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

Durga Puja is primarily dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, who is considered a powerful and protective deity in Hinduism.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ritual performed on the seventh day of Durga Puja, where devotees offer flowers and leaves to Goddess Durga?

  1. Pushpanjali

  2. Archana

  3. Aarti

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

Pushpanjali is a ritual performed on the seventh day of Durga Puja, where devotees offer flowers and leaves to Goddess Durga, expressing their devotion and seeking her blessings.