General Awareness · Civics Polity

Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics

2,776 Questions

Indian philosophy spans diverse concepts from Buddhist teachings and practices to ancient aesthetics. This collection covers meditation rules, spiritual enlightenment, and cultural expressions like Odissi. These topics are vital for general awareness in civil services and state exams.

Buddhist philosophy practicesAesthetics treatisesTantra categoriesMoksha conceptsClassical dance movements

Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics Questions

Multiple choice

Drupada, the king of Panchala and father of Draupadi did not accede to the idea of Draupadi being common wife of all the Pandavs. However, sage Vyasa convinced him that

  1. Pandavs were in fact reincarnations of Indra

  2. wife of Indra had been reborn as Draupadi

  3. Pandavas and Draupadi are destined for each other

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Vyasa also quoted an instance: A young woman had prayed to Shiva for a husband and in her zeal, she prayed five times. This woman was reborn as Draupadi. Shiva granted her prayers.

Multiple choice

Identify the following statements as true (T) or false (F). (a) Historians classify the present day Mahabharata under two broad heads – narrative and didactic. (b) Mrichchhakatika was written by Charudatta. (c) Jatis which shared a common occupation were called Shreni. (d) Purnanaruru was an anthology of stories of the Tamil Sangam literature. (e) Shakas from central India were regarded as ‘mlechchhas’.

  1. TFTFT

  2. FTFTT

  3. FTTFT

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

Mrichchakatika was written by Shudraka and Charudalla was the hero. Puranaruru was an anthology of poems (Tamil).

Multiple choice

What is the correct sequence of inscription of the four Ashrams in the Vedic period?

  1. Vanaprastha ashram – Brahmacharya ashram – Grihastha ashram – Sanyas

  2. Brahmacharya ashram – Grihastha ashram – Sanyas - Vanaprastha ashram

  3. Grihastha ashram – Sanyas - Vanaprastha ashram - Brahmacharya ashram

  4. Sanyas - Vanaprastha ashram - Brahmacharya ashram - Grihastha ashram

  5. Brahmacharya ashram – Grihastha ashram – Vanaprastha ashram – Sanyas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Brahmacharya ashram – Grihastha ashram – Vanaprastha ashram – Sanyas: is the correct sequence.

Multiple choice

The main feature of the religion of the Rigvedic period was:

  1. There was a culture of temple worship and they worshiped in open air.

  2. There was a culture of idol worship, as they did not make the images of Gods.

  3. They believed in nature God as the supreme God.

  4. Religious beliefs and practices were obtained from the hymns of the Samaveda.

  5. The ritual of 'Yajna' consisted of 'homa' or the offerings of ghee and grain, etc. It was a daily ritual performed by family members.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Only this statement is correct. The ritual of 'Yajna' consisted of 'homa' or the offerings of ghee and grain, etc. It was a daily ritual performed by family members.

Multiple choice

The name “Brahmos” is associated with

  1. yoga

  2. medicine

  3. ayurveda

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia. It is not related to yoga, medicine, or ayurveda - thus 'none of these' is correct.

Multiple choice

The Holy Book of India “Ramayan” is the work of

  1. Valmiki

  2. Sant Tulsidas

  3. Vedvyas

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The original Ramayan epic in Sanskrit is attributed to sage Valmiki. Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas later in Awadhi, which is a popular retelling but not the original Ramayan.

Multiple choice

The language of the discourses of Gautama Buddha was

  1. Bhojpuri

  2. Magadhi

  3. Pali

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

Gautama Buddha's discourses were delivered in Pali, a Prakrit language that was widely spoken in ancient India during his time. While Sanskrit was the language of scholars and Brahmins, Buddha preached in the common language of the masses to make his teachings accessible. Magadhi and Bhojpuri were other Prakrit languages but Pali was the primary language of Buddhist scriptures.

Multiple choice

The Bodhisattvas are worshipped by

  1. Theravadins

  2. Mahayanists

  3. Vaishnavites

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

Bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who delay their own nirvana to help others, are central to Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayanists worship and seek to emulate Bodhisattvas like Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri, representing compassion and wisdom. Theravada focuses on individual liberation through the Arhat path.

Multiple choice

The three jewels of Buddhism are

  1. Meditation, Sangha and Dharma

  2. Buddha, Meditation and Prayers

  3. Buddha, Sangha and Dharma

  4. Dharma, Sangha and Prayers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Three Jewels or Triratna of Buddhism are Buddha (the enlightened one), Dharma (the teachings), and Sangha (the community of practitioners). Taking refuge in these three jewels is the fundamental act of becoming a Buddhist and represents the core of Buddhist practice and faith.

Multiple choice

With which of the following is the term 'Nirgrantha' associated?

  1. Ajivikas

  2. Charvakas

  3. Jainas

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

Nirgrantha (meaning 'one who has untied all knots') is a term specifically associated with Jainism, referring to ascetics who have broken all karmic bonds. Ajivikas were a distinct heterodox sect, Charvakas represented materialist philosophy, and Pasupatas were a Shaivite sect.

Multiple choice

Chandragupta Maurya was the follower of which religion for major part of his life?

  1. Ajivika sect

  2. Buddhism

  3. Hinduism

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

Emperor Chandragupta Maurya followed Hinduism for major part of his life. He embraced Jainism after retiring. At an older age, Chandragupta renounced his throne and material possessions to join a wandering group of Jain monks. Chandragupta was a disciple of Acharya Bhadrabahu. It is said that in his last days, he observed the rigorous but self-purifying Jain ritual of santhara, i.e. fast unto death, at Shravana Belgola in Karnataka. Hence, the correct option is 3.

Multiple choice

The classic works of Mahakavi Kalidasa's Abhigyansakuntalam and Meghdoota belong to (in the order of their appearance)

  1. poem and play

  2. play and poem

  3. poem and poem

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

Kalidasa wrote the following three plays:

  1. Abhigyanasakuntalam (generally regarded as a masterpiece)
  2. Malavikagnimitram
  3. Vikramorvasiyam Kalidasa is the author of two epic poems:
  4. Raghuvamsha
  5. Kumarasambhava His two lyric poems are:
  6. Meghadoota (considered as Kalidasa's most popular poem)
  7. Ritusamhara Hence, the correct option is 2.