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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 Rigvedic hymn is dedicated to the eclipses?

  1. Hymn 1.24

  2. Hymn 1.115

  3. Hymn 1.164

  4. Hymn 1.165
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Hymn 1.165 of the Rig Veda is dedicated to the eclipses. It is known as the Grahana Sukta and is one of the most famous hymns in the Rig Veda.

Multiple choice

Which Rigvedic hymn is dedicated to the meteors?

  1. Hymn 1.24

  2. Hymn 1.115

  3. Hymn 1.164

  4. Hymn 1.165
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hymn 1.24 of the Rig Veda is dedicated to the meteors. It is known as the Uluka Sukta and is one of the most famous hymns in the Rig Veda.

Multiple choice

What are the main scriptures of the Dvaita-Advaita School of Vedanta?

  1. The Vedas

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The main scriptures of the Dvaita-Advaita School of Vedanta are the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras.

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, but it is a sacred Hindu text that is considered to be a part of the Mahabharata.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the Indian text that introduced the decimal system to the world?

  1. The Vedas

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

  4. The Surya Siddhanta
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Surya Siddhanta, an Indian astronomical text written in the 4th or 5th century, introduced the decimal system to the world.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the Indian text that introduced the concept of infinity?

  1. The Vedas

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The Upanishads, a collection of ancient Indian philosophical texts, introduced the concept of infinity.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered the foundational work of astronomy in India?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Yajurveda

  3. Samaveda

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

The Rigveda, one of the four Vedas, contains hymns and verses that mention astronomical observations and celestial bodies.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is the primary source for the story of Ramayana?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Ramayana

  3. Mahabharata

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

The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem attributed to the sage Valmiki. It tells the story of Rama, a prince of Ayodhya, and his wife Sita.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of fables and stories, often with a moral or didactic purpose?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Panchatantra

  3. Mahabharata

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

The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of fables and stories, often with a moral or didactic purpose. It is attributed to Vishnu Sharma.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of hymns and prayers?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Ramayana

  3. Mahabharata

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

The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism. It is a collection of hymns and prayers.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of philosophical and spiritual teachings?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Ramayana

  3. Mahabharata

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

The Upanishads are a collection of philosophical and spiritual teachings that are part of the Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of plays?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Ramayana

  3. Mahabharata

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

The Natya Shastra is an ancient Indian text that is a treatise on the performing arts, including drama, dance, and music.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of love poems?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Ramayana

  3. Mahabharata

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

The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian text that is a treatise on love and sexual pleasure.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of stories about the lives of saints and sages?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Ramayana

  3. Mahabharata

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

The Bhagavata Purana is an ancient Indian text that is a collection of stories about the lives of saints and sages.

Multiple choice

Which Indian astronomical text mentions the existence of seven lokas or worlds?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Yajurveda

  3. Atharvaveda

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

The Taittiriya Samhita, part of the Yajurveda, mentions the existence of seven lokas or worlds, including the earth, the atmosphere, the heavens, and the abode of the gods.