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Indian Literature and Texts

3,277 Questions

Indian literature features rich ancient texts, epics like the Mahabharata, and philosophical Upanishads. This topic covers seminal works of Indian mythology and Sanskrit tradition. It is a highly scoring area in UPSC, state PSC, and other competitive examinations.

Ancient Indian epicsSacred Hindu textsSanskrit traditionIndian mythologyJain literary texts

Indian Literature and Texts Questions

Multiple choice

What is the name of the commentary on the Sadratnamala written by Ganesa Daivajna?

  1. The Sadratnamala-Vyakhya

  2. The Sadratnamala-Bhashya

  3. The Sadratnamala-Tika

  4. The Sadratnamala-Vivarana
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ganesa Daivajna wrote a commentary on the Sadratnamala called the Sadratnamala-Vyakhya.

Multiple choice

Which Upanishad is considered to be the oldest and most influential?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Kena Upanishad

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

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is generally regarded as the oldest and most influential Upanishad. It is known for its profound philosophical insights and its exploration of the concepts of Atman, Brahman, and the nature of reality.

Multiple choice

Which Upanishad is associated with the famous mantra 'Tat Tvam Asi' (Thou art That)?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Kena Upanishad

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

The Chandogya Upanishad is associated with the famous mantra 'Tat Tvam Asi' (Thou art That), which emphasizes the unity of the individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman).

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a sacred text of Hinduism?

  1. The Vedas

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

  4. The Ramayana

  5. The Mahabharata
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

All of the options are sacred texts of Hinduism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a sacred text of Sikhism?

  1. The Guru Granth Sahib

  2. The Adi Granth

  3. The Dasam Granth

  4. The Sarbloh Granth

  5. The Bhai Gurdas Granth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Guru Granth Sahib is the sacred text of Sikhism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a sacred text of Taoism?

  1. The Tao Te Ching

  2. The Zhuangzi

  3. The Liezi

  4. The Wenzi

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

The Tao Te Ching is the sacred text of Taoism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a sacred text of Jainism?

  1. The Agamas

  2. The Upangas

  3. The Prakirnakas

  4. The Cheda Sutras

  5. The Mula Sutras
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Agamas are the sacred texts of Jainism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a sacred text of Shintoism?

  1. The Kojiki

  2. The Nihon Shoki

  3. The Fudoki

  4. The Manyoshu

  5. The Genji Monogatari
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Kojiki is the sacred text of Shintoism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a sacred text of Zoroastrianism?

  1. The Avesta

  2. The Gathas

  3. The Yasna

  4. The Visperad

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

The Avesta is the sacred text of Zoroastrianism.

Multiple choice

Which Upanishad is considered to be the oldest and most influential in terms of its contribution to Indian cosmology?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Katha Upanishad

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

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, part of the Shukla Yajur Veda, is regarded as one of the oldest and most significant Upanishads, containing profound insights into the nature of reality, consciousness, and the universe.

Multiple choice

Which Upanishad contains the famous declaration, 'Aham Brahmasmi' (I am Brahman)?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Katha Upanishad

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

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad contains the renowned declaration, 'Aham Brahmasmi' (I am Brahman), which signifies the realization of the identity between the individual self (Atman) and the universal consciousness (Brahman).

Multiple choice

Which Upanishad contains the famous parable of the chariot, used to illustrate the relationship between the individual self, the senses, and the mind?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Katha Upanishad

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

The Katha Upanishad features the renowned parable of the chariot, where the chariot represents the body, the horses symbolize the senses, the reins represent the mind, and the charioteer represents the individual self.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a major Upanishad?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Taittiriya Upanishad

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

The Bhagavad Gita is not a major Upanishad. It is a part of the Mahabharata, an epic poem.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a major text in Indian philosophy that discusses the concept of Atman?

  1. Brahma Sutra

  2. Bhagavad Gita

  3. Yoga Sutra

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

Nyaya Sutra is a major text in Indian philosophy that discusses logic and epistemology. It does not discuss the concept of Atman.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered the oldest surviving Sanskrit text?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Ramayana

  3. Mahabharata

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

The Rigveda is a collection of hymns and verses that form the earliest layer of Vedic literature in Sanskrit. It is believed to have been composed between 1500 and 1200 BCE.