General Awareness · History

Indian Literature and Texts

2,973 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

Which Sanskrit text is known for its collection of hymns and prayers?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Yajurveda

  3. Samaveda

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

The Rigveda is the oldest known Sanskrit text and consists primarily of hymns and prayers addressed to various deities.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Sanskrit text that deals with the science of medicine?

  1. Charaka Samhita

  2. Sushruta Samhita

  3. Ashtanga Hridaya

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

Charaka Samhita is an ancient Sanskrit text that deals with the science of medicine and is considered one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda.

Multiple choice

Which Sanskrit text is known for its collection of short stories?

  1. Kathasaritsagara

  2. Brihatkatha

  3. Vetala Panchavimshati

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

Kathasaritsagara is a collection of more than 100 Sanskrit short stories, compiled by Somadeva.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Sanskrit text that deals with the science of architecture?

  1. Vastu Shastra

  2. Shilpa Shastra

  3. Mayamata

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

Vastu Shastra is an ancient Sanskrit text that deals with the science of architecture and design, providing guidelines for the construction of buildings, temples, and other structures.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text mentions the concept of supernovas?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Yajurveda

  3. Samaveda

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

The Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas, contains references to supernovas.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text contains a detailed description of the supernova SN 1006?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Yajurveda

  3. Samaveda

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

The Brihat Samhita, written by Varāhamihira, contains a detailed description of the supernova SN 1006.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text contains a detailed description of the supernova SN 1572?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Yajurveda

  3. Samaveda

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

There is no ancient Indian text that contains a detailed description of the supernova SN 1572.

Multiple choice

Which Indian drama was translated into English by J.A.B. van Buitenen as 'The Mahābhārata: Book 1: The Book of the Beginning'?

  1. Adi Parva

  2. Sabha Parva

  3. Vana Parva

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

J.A.B. van Buitenen translated the Sanskrit play 'Adi Parva' into English as 'The Mahābhārata: Book 1: The Book of the Beginning' in 1973.

Multiple choice

Which Indian drama was translated into English by P. Lal as 'The Mahabharata: Book 2: The Book of the Assembly'?

  1. Adi Parva

  2. Sabha Parva

  3. Vana Parva

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

P. Lal translated the Sanskrit play 'Sabha Parva' into English as 'The Mahabharata: Book 2: The Book of the Assembly' in 2002.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered the foundational text of Vedanta philosophy?

  1. Bhagavad Gita

  2. Upanishads

  3. Brahma Sutras

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

The Upanishads are a collection of ancient Sanskrit texts that are considered the foundation of Vedanta philosophy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major commentary on the Brahma Sutras?

  1. Bhagavad Gita Bhashya

  2. Brahma Sutra Bhashya

  3. Upanishad Bhashya

  4. Vedanta Sutras Bhashya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Brahma Sutra Bhashya is a major commentary on the Brahma Sutras by Adi Shankara, a prominent Vedanta philosopher.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of Madhvacharya?

  1. Bhagavad Gita Bhashya

  2. Brahma Sutra Bhashya

  3. Anu Vyakhyana

  4. Vedanta Sutras Bhashya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Anu Vyakhyana is a major work of Madhvacharya, a prominent philosopher of the Dvaita school of Vedanta.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of Vallabhacharya?

  1. Bhagavad Gita Bhashya

  2. Brahma Sutra Bhashya

  3. Anubhashya

  4. Vedanta Sutras Bhashya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Anubhashya is a major work of Vallabhacharya, a prominent philosopher of the Suddhadvaita school of Vedanta.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of Swami Chinmayananda, a prominent modern Vedanta philosopher?

  1. The Holy Geeta

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The Holy Geeta is a major work of Swami Chinmayananda, a prominent modern Vedanta philosopher, which is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita.

Multiple choice

What is the central text of the Vedanta Philosophy?

  1. The Bhagavad Gita

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Brahma Sutras

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

The Upanishads are a collection of sacred texts that are considered to be the foundation of Hinduism. They contain the teachings of the ancient sages and seers who realized the ultimate truth of Brahman.