Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics

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.

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.

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.

The four-fold division of society is mentioned in Purusa-sukta of Rigveda. The Rigveda culture was mainly pastoral. Purusha-sukta of Rigveda mentioned about the fourfold division of society. Contemporary students of Hindu society understand varna as an ancient fourfold arrangement of socioeconomic categories called the varnas, which is traced back to an oral tradition preserved in the Rigveda.

Rajasuya was the Vedic sacrifice performed for royal consecration - it was the ceremony that conferred kinghood on a monarch. Asvamedha was the horse sacrifice for imperial supremacy, Vajapeya was a soma sacrifice for strength/renown, and Agnishtoma was a basic soma offering.

Ramanuja (1017-1137 AD) was a Hindu theologian and philosopher who preached the philosophy of Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism), emphasizing Bhakti (devotion) as the path to salvation. He taught that devotion to Lord Vishnu is the supreme means to attain moksha. Unlike other philosophical schools emphasizing knowledge (gyana) or ritual, Ramanuja's path centered on loving devotion to God.

The Supreme Court gave its interpretation of Hindutva in the Manohar Joshi case (1995) while hearing an election petition regarding the use of religion in elections. The Court observed that Hindutva is a way of life and not a religion. Other cases listed are about different constitutional doctrines - basic structure (Kesavananda), judicial review (Minerva Mills), and Ayodhya dispute (Babri).

Buddha attained 'nirvana' (enlightenment) at Bodh Gaya. He had attained 'mahaparinirvana' (freedom from the cycle of birth and death) at Kusinara or Kusinagar in eastern U.P. All other statements are correct.

Statement 1: It is the correct statement. The concept of the Sanskrit word Parnirvana is the Final Nirvana that is attained upon the death of the physical body. Parinirvana is also sometimes called Maha-parinirvana which means Great Final Nirvana. Therefore, this day is commemorated as the day that the Buddha physically died and entered the final state of Parinirvana (or Maha-parinirvana). The day is also sometimes called The Buddha's Day of Final Extinguishment of the Causes of Suffering. Statement 2: It is the correct statement. The term Nirvana is usually translated and understood as meaning Enlightenment. However, Nirvana literally means to extinguish or to blow out and refers to the complete ending of suffering due to the extinguishing of greed, hatred and delusion. Statement 3: It is the correct statement. Samsara is the Wheel of Life and refers to the cyclical stages of existence that are characteristic of reincarnation or transmigration (birth-death-rebirth). Statement 4: It is correct statement. Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor of the historic Sakyamuni Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama Buddha). Hence, the correct option is 4.

Patañjali, the great grammarian, was the author of the Mahâbhâṣya, a commentary on Pâṇini's Aṣṭâdhyâyî. (Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.) Patanjali was the contemporary of Pushyamitra of Sunga Dynasty. (Hence, statement 2 is also incorrect.)

The Rashtrakuta dynasty (8th-10th century CE) patronized Shaivism and built many Shiva temples, including the Kailasa temple at Ellora. While they were religiously tolerant, Shaivism received particular royal patronage, as evidenced by their temple architecture and inscriptions.

Gautama Buddha belonged to the Sakya clan, which is why he is often referred to as 'Shakyamuni Buddha' (the sage of the Sakyas). The Sakya clan was a kshatriya (warrior/ruler) clan that ruled over the area of present-day Nepal and northern India during the 6th century BCE. Buddha's father Shuddhodana was the king of the Sakyas, making Buddha a prince who later renounced his royal heritage to seek enlightenment.

Both Jainism and Buddhism emerged as reform movements that rejected the caste system and ritualism of Vedic religion. They emphasized equality and individual spiritual development regardless of one's birth. While Jainism and Buddhism have different philosophical approaches, they shared this fundamental opposition to caste-based social hierarchy.

Sutta Pitaka is one of the three main divisions of the Pali Canon (Tripitaka) in Buddhism, containing Buddha's discourses. It's the largest collection. Jainism has Agamas, Hinduism has Vedas/Upanishads, Zoroastrianism has Avesta.

Mitakshra is a famous Hindu legal treatise written by Vijnaneshwara in the 11th century CE. It is a commentary on the Yajnavalkya Smriti and deals extensively with inheritance law, property rights, and family law. The Mitakshra school of Hindu law governs most of India except Bengal and Assam (which follow the Dayabhaga school). It is not related to medicine (A), linguistics (B), or ethics (D).