General Awareness · Civics Polity

Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics

2,971 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

The early Vedic religion has been designated by the name of henotheism or kathenotheism. What does this mean?

  1. Belief in the existence of only one god

  2. Belief in the powers of mother goddess

  3. Belief in one god without denying the existence of others

  4. Precedence of caste system over religion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Henotheism was coined to describe the theology of Rigvedic religion. The Rigveda was the basis for Max Müller's description of henotheism in the sense of a polytheistic tradition striving towards a formulation of the One (ekam) Divinity aimed at by the worship of different cosmic principles. 

Multiple choice

Kaushetki and Aitreya Brahmanas are attached to

  1. Yajur Veda

  2. Atharva Veda

  3. Sama Veda

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

Each veda has several Brahmanas attached to it. For example: 1. Rigveda: Kaushetki and Aitreya 2. Yajurveda: Taitriya and Shatpatha 3. Samveda: Panchvish and Jemineya

Multiple choice

How many Vedangas were composed during the later Vedic period?

  1. Four

  2. Five

  3. Six

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

The most important contribution of the later Vedic period was the composition of Vedangas. These Vedangas were regarded as less authoritative than Sruti and are styled Smriti. They were six in number:

  1. Siksha (phonetics)   2. Kalpa (ritual)    3. Vyakaran (grammar)
  2. Nirukta (etymology)   5. Chhand (metrics)   6. Jyotish (astronomy)
Multiple choice

Ceremonies of Hindu marriage have been laid down in minute detail in

  1. Dharma sutra

  2. Dharma shastra

  3. Grhiya sutra

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

Dharma Shastra texts like Manusmriti contain detailed prescriptions for Hindu marriage ceremonies (samskaras). Grhya Sutras deal with domestic rituals but Dharma Shastras provide the comprehensive legal and religious framework for marriage rites. Dharma Sutras primarily outline social duties rather than ceremonial details.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct in relation to Jainism?

  1. Tirthankaras were regarded as deities in pantheistic or polytheistic sense.
  2. Apart from the Tirthankaras, Jains worship some special Arihants.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both of these

  4. Neither of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Tirthankaras are not regarded as deities in the pantheistic or polytheistic sense, but rather as pure souls that have awakened the divine spiritual qualities that lie dormant within each of us. Apart from the Tirthankaras, Jains worship special Arihants, such as Bahubali. A statue of Bahubali is located at Shravana Belagola in the Hassan district of Karnataka state. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Jains.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not correctly matched?

  1. Digha Nikaya – collections of long sermons of Buddha

  2. Lalitavistara – an anonymous biography of Buddha

  3. Jataka – comprises of stories of previous births of Buddha

  4. Vinaya Pitaka – legends about Bodhisattvas

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Vinaya Pitaka is a Buddhist scripture, one of the three parts that make up the Tripitaka. Its primary subject matter is the monastic rules for monks and nuns.

Multiple choice

Which among the following is not one of the triple gems of Jainism that provide the path for attaining liberation from the cycles of birth and death?

  1. Right knowledge

  2. Right faith

  3. Right vision

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

Jainism encourages spiritual development through cultivation of one's own personal wisdom and reliance on self-control through vows. The triple gems of Jainism - right vision or view (Samyak Darshana), right knowledge (Samyak Gyana) and right conduct (Samyak Charitra) - provide the path for attaining liberation from the cycles of birth and death.

Multiple choice

The term Hindu denotes the persons: (i) Professing Hindu religion (ii) Professing Buddh, Jam or Sikh religion (iii) Who are not professing Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew religion. In respect of the aforesaid propositions which is correct?

  1. (i) and (ii) are correct and (iii) is incorrect

  2. (ii) and (iii) are correct and (i) is incorrect

  3. (i) and (iii) are incorrect but (ii) is correct

  4. (i), (ii) and (iii) are all correct
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Under Indian personal law (e.g., Hindu Marriage Act, 1955), the term 'Hindu' has a broad legal definition. It includes persons professing Hindu religion, as well as Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs (who are grouped under Hindu personal law). It also includes anyone who does not profess Muslim, Christian, Parsi, or Jewish religions. Therefore, all three propositions (i), (ii), and (iii) are legally correct.

Multiple choice

What did the term 'nikaya' refer to during the Maurya period?

  1. Village headman

  2. A type of coin

  3. A group of administrators

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

The king during the Maurya period was assisted by a council of advisors styled the Parishad or the Mantri Parishad. There were also bodies of trained officials (nikaya) who looked after the ordinary affairs of the realm.