Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics

Tripitakas (Three Baskets) are the primary sacred texts of Buddhism, containing the teachings of Gautama Buddha. They are divided into three parts: Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutta Pitaka (discourses/sermons), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical analysis). They form the canonical scripture of Theravada Buddhism.

The trident-shaped symbol in Buddhism is called the Triratna or Three Jewels, which represents Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. These are the three core refuges in Buddhism. Nirvana is the ultimate goal of Buddhism - the cessation of suffering - but it is not represented by the trident symbol itself.

Tamizhar Thirunaal (Tamil Festival) refers to Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival celebrating the end of the harvest season. It is a four-day festival honoring the Sun God, marked by cooking pongal (rice dish), decorating cattle, and giving thanks for prosperity.

According to the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna cursed Ashwatthama with: (1) bearing the burden of all people's sins, (2) total isolation from humanity, and (3) a body covered in non-healing sores and ulcers. Ashwatthama had destroyed Uttara's womb, killing the unborn Parikshit (who was later revived). The curse of eternal suffering and isolation was punishment for this heinous act. Option C correctly lists conditions 1, 2, and 3. Option D (all four) is incorrect because 'prolonged illness' is essentially the same as condition 3, not a separate fourth condition.

Sahanubhuti is a Hindi word meaning 'sympathy' or 'compassion' - feeling with someone. While 'Empathy' is similar, Sahanubhuti specifically aligns with 'Sympathy'. 'Enmity' and 'Antipathy' represent opposite feelings (hostility).

Eklavya, a gifted archer who learned by practicing before a clay statue of Drona, cut off his right thumb and gave it to Drona as his guru dakshina (offering). This was done when Drona demanded his thumb as fee to ensure Arjuna would remain the greatest archer.

Sahasrara, Swadhisthana, and Manipura are all primary chakras in Hindu tantric tradition, whereas the Ramayana is an epic epic poem, making it the odd one out.

Seerat means character in Urdu, referring to the moral qualities or distinctive nature of a person.

Seerat is an Urdu/Arabic word meaning character, nature, disposition, or way of being. It refers to someone's inherent qualities and personality traits. Option C (CHARACTER) is the correct answer.

In a chapter in his Autobiography titled ‘The Magic Spell of a Book’ Gandhi tells us how he read the book “Unto This Last” on the 24 hours journey from Johannesburg to Durban.

Satyagraha is a moral weapon and the stress is on soul force over physical force.

The Light of Asia is a book that deals with Buddha and his teachings, which Gandhiji read while he was a student in England. 

Swadeshi is a universal law based on the twin principles of truth and non-violence or love and humanity.

A real satyagrahi believes in unilateral love.