History ยท General Awareness
Hindu Deities and Epics
2,919 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
Which of the following paintings is known for its depiction of the goddess Lakshmi?
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The Descent of Ganga
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The Birth of Venus
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The Lakshmi Narasimha
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The Primavera
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.
What is the name of the sculpture that depicts the Hindu god Shiva as the lord of dance?
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The Dancing Shiva
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The Nataraja
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The Shiva Parvati
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The Ardhanarishvara
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.
What is the name of the sculpture that depicts the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara?
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The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
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The Guanyin
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The Kannon
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The Tara
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is a famous sculpture that depicts the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara. It is located in the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
What is the name of the sculpture that depicts the Hindu god Vishnu as the preserver of the universe?
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The Vishnu Anantashayi
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The Vishnu Narasimha
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The Vishnu Vamana
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The Vishnu Kurma
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.
What is the name of the sculpture that depicts the Buddhist deity Tara?
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The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
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The Guanyin
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The Kannon
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The Tara
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The Tara is a famous sculpture that depicts the Buddhist deity Tara. It is located in the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
Who is the goddess Parvati?
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The wife of Lord Shiva.
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The daughter of Lord Brahma.
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The sister of Lord Vishnu.
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The mother of Lord Ganesha.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Parvati is the wife of Lord Shiva and is considered to be the goddess of love, marriage, and fertility.
Who is the supreme being in the Ganapatya school of Hindu philosophy?
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Shiva
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Vishnu
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Ganesha
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Brahma
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Ganapatya school of Hindu philosophy worships Ganesha as the supreme being.
Which deity is considered the primary recipient of hymns in the Atharvaveda?
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Indra
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Agni
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Varuna
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Atharvan
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Atharvan, the personification of the Atharvaveda, is the primary recipient of hymns in the text.
Which of the following is NOT a deity commonly invoked in the Atharvaveda?
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Indra
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Varuna
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Rudra
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Brahma
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Brahma, the creator god in later Hinduism, is not a prominent deity in the Atharvaveda.
In ancient Indian mythology, who was the god of destruction and transformation?
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Shiva
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Vishnu
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Brahma
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Indra
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Shiva was the Indian god of destruction and transformation and was also known as the 'Destroyer of Evil'.
In the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, what is the name of the god who is known as the preserver of the universe?
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Brahma
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Vishnu
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Shiva
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Indra
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.
Which Indian sport is associated with the Hindu god Vishnu?
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Kushti
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Pehlwani
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Dangal
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Mallakhamb
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Kushti is a traditional Indian wrestling sport that is associated with the Hindu god Vishnu. It is often practiced by wrestlers and gymnasts.
What is the primary deity worshipped during Durga Puja?
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Goddess Lakshmi
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Goddess Saraswati
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Goddess Kali
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Goddess Durga
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.
What is the name of the ritual performed on the seventh day of Durga Puja, where devotees offer flowers and leaves to Goddess Durga?
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Pushpanjali
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Archana
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Aarti
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Prasad
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.
Which Hindu deity is closely associated with music and the arts?
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Shiva
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Vishnu
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Brahma
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Saraswati
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. She is often depicted holding a veena (a string instrument) and is considered the patron deity of musicians and artists.