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

The four varnas are mentioned for the first time in the

  1. Prithvi Sukta

  2. Purusa Sukta

  3. Taittiriya Sambita

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

The Purusha Sukta (Rig Veda 10.90) is the first Vedic text to explicitly mention the four varnas (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra) emerging from the body of the cosmic being Purusha. This hymn provides the theological foundation for the varna system, describing it as divinely ordained rather than a mere social division.

Multiple choice

Which religion did Chandragupta embrace?

  1. Buddhism

  2. Brahanism

  3. Jainism

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

Chandragupta Maurya embraced Jainism towards the end of his reign, influenced by the sage Bhadrabahu. He eventually abdicated his throne to become a Jain monk and is believed to have died through the Jain practice of sallekhana (voluntary fasting to death) at Shravanabelagola.

Multiple choice

Which Buddhist Council did Ashoka convene?

  1. First

  2. Third

  3. Fourth

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

Ashoka convened the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra around 250 BC under the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa. This council aimed to purge the Sangha of corruption and finalize the Buddhist canon, leading to the dispatch of missionaries to Sri Lanka and Central Asia.

Multiple choice

According to the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras, occupations like studying the Vedas, getting sacrifices performed and making gifts were to be performed by which of the following 'varnas'?

a. Brahamanas b. Kshatriyas c. Vaishyas d. Shudras

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only c and d

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only b and d
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. According to the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras, occupations like studying the Vedas, getting sacrifices performed and making gifts were to be performed by Kshatriyas and Vaishyas.

Multiple choice

Which of the following Brahmanical views were not recognised/rejected by the Buddhists after sixth century BCE?

a. Differences in the society b. Differences in society are natural and inflexible c. Claims to status on the basis of birth

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. The Buddhists did not recognise that the differences in society are natural and inflexible and also rejected the idea of claims to status on the basis of birth.

Multiple choice

In the Buddhist text called 'Sutta Pitaka', which of the following has not been suggested?

  1. The human beings lived in an idyllic state of peace.

  2. The bodily form of the human beings was not fully evolved.

  3. All human beings lived in harmony in a joint society.

  4. The world of the plants was not fully developed.

  5. For each meal, the human beings took only what was needed from the nature.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this was not suggested in the Buddhist text called 'Sutta Pitaka'.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

a. The poems included in the Tamil Sangam anthologies never mentioned about the social and economic relationships. b. B. B. Lal, an archaeologist, excavated at a village named Hastinapur in 1951-52. c. The Sanskrit used in 'Mahabharata' is simple as compared to that used in the Vedas or 'prashastis'.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this statement is false.

Multiple choice

Which doctrine of Jainism was added by Mahavira?

  1. Ahimsa

  2. Non - stealing

  3. Celibacy

  4. Non - possession of property
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Mahavira added celibacy (Brahmacharya) as the fifth major vow of Jainism. The previous four vows - Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), and Aparigraha (non-attachment) - were already taught by Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. Mahavira institutionalized complete celibacy for monks.

Multiple choice

It is said that Buddism and Jainism emerged as a

  1. Reaction to Brahminism

  2. Consequence of Charismatic personalities

  3. Consequence of Royal terror

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

Buddhism and Jainism emerged in the 6th century BCE as movements critiquing Vedic Brahminical rituals, caste hierarchy, and animal sacrifice. They offered simpler, more accessible spiritual paths. Option A correctly captures this historical context as a reaction to rigid Brahminical orthodoxy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following was not included in Asoka's dhamma?

  1. Kind treatment of slaves and servants

  2. Respect for others' religion and traditions

  3. Generosity towards Brahmanas

  4. Abolition of child marriage

  5. Respect towards elders
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. Abolition of child marriage was not included in Asoka's dhamma.

Multiple choice

In which language was the religious book of Buddhism written?

  1. Parsi

  2. Pali

  3. Sanskrit

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

The original Buddhist scriptures, known as the Tipitaka or Tripitaka (Three Baskets), were composed in Pali language. Pali was a vernacular Prakrit language that made Buddhist teachings accessible to common people, unlike Sanskrit which was restricted to Brahmins.

Multiple choice

Where did Buddha penance for 40 days?

  1. Kapilavasthu

  2. Prayaga

  3. Varanasi

  4. Gaya

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

Buddha performed intense penance and meditation for 49 days (often mentioned as 40 days) at Bodh Gaya (present-day Gaya district in Bihar) under the Bodhi tree before attaining enlightenment. This period of extreme austerity preceded his realization of the Middle Path.