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
  1. MRE XIII of Asoka

  2. Jabala Upanishad

  3. Mundaka Upanishad

  4. Vamasathapaksini

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

The phrase 'Satyameva Jayate' is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad. It is the national motto of India and is inscribed below the Lion Capital of Asoka.

Multiple choice
  1. Naturalist

  2. Idealist

  3. Pragmatist

  4. Buddhist

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

Rabindranath Tagore is often classified as a naturalist in his educational philosophy, emphasizing the importance of nature and freedom in learning.

Multiple choice
  1. Hanuman was a devotee to Lord Rama.

  2. Hanuman was a devotee of Lord Rama.

  3. Hanuman was a devotee for Lord Rama.

  4. Hanuman was a devoteed for Lord Rama.

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

The correct preposition to use with 'devotee' is 'of'. One is a devotee of a person or deity.

Multiple choice
  1. Moon

  2. Stone

  3. Zend

  4. Zoraster

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

The Avesta is the primary collection of religious texts of Zoroastrianism. The language in which these texts are written is known as Avestan, and the texts themselves are often referred to as the Zend-Avesta.

Multiple choice
  1. Dharmashastra;

  2. Dharma vijay;

  3. Dharmapalana;

  4. Dharmanirupana

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

Manu is the legendary author of the Manusmriti, which is a foundational text of the Dharmashastra tradition in ancient Indian law and ethics.

Multiple choice

What was Mahavira called in his childhood?

Directions:  Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth and last guru of the Jain religion. He was born into a royal family in what is currently the state of Bihar, India. The town of his birth at the time when he was born was markedly prosperous in terms of agriculture, health, wealth and wisdom. It is for this reason that he was named Vardhman by his parents. When he was 30 years old, he left his home in search of spiritual awakening and spent over 12 years practising intense meditation and severe penance. After this period, he achieved enlightenment. He then travelled all over India for the next 30 years, teaching his philosophy, which is based on the concepts of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. He is said to have attained nirvana at the age of 72. He is considered to be the 24th Tirthankara (guru) of Jainism and is regarded as a reformer, rather than a founder of this religion.
While it is unknown exactly that where Mahavira was born, 3 distinct places in Bihar have been identified as possible birthplaces. These include Kundigram in Vaishali district, Lachhuar in Jamui and Kundalpur in Nalanda. Most historians will agree that Basokund was his birthplace, but traditionally, it is considered to be Kundalagrama, which is an ancient city of Vaishali, whose location continues to remain unidentified. According to Jainism, Mahavira was born in the year 540 BCE, which has prompted many historians to consider him to be a contemporary of Gautama Bhudda. According to Jainism, his birth is ascribed to be on the thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chairtra in the Vira Nivana Samvat calendar, which falls in either March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. Mahavira was born into the royal family of King Siddartha of Kudraam and Queen Trishala, whose brother was King Chetaka of Vaishali. In his childhood, he was called Vardhamana, which means “one who grows”. He was named this because of the increased prosperity that was experienced in the kingdom at the time of his birth. Both of his parents are said to be strict followers of Parsva.

  1. Siddartha

  2. Tirthankara

  3. Vridhi

  4. Vardhamana

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

 He was called Vardhamana as a child.

Multiple choice

Mahavira left home to seek

Directions:  Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth and last guru of the Jain religion. He was born into a royal family in what is currently the state of Bihar, India. The town of his birth at the time when he was born was markedly prosperous in terms of agriculture, health, wealth and wisdom. It is for this reason that he was named Vardhman by his parents. When he was 30 years old, he left his home in search of spiritual awakening and spent over 12 years practising intense meditation and severe penance. After this period, he achieved enlightenment. He then travelled all over India for the next 30 years, teaching his philosophy, which is based on the concepts of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. He is said to have attained nirvana at the age of 72. He is considered to be the 24th Tirthankara (guru) of Jainism and is regarded as a reformer, rather than a founder of this religion.
While it is unknown exactly that where Mahavira was born, 3 distinct places in Bihar have been identified as possible birthplaces. These include Kundigram in Vaishali district, Lachhuar in Jamui and Kundalpur in Nalanda. Most historians will agree that Basokund was his birthplace, but traditionally, it is considered to be Kundalagrama, which is an ancient city of Vaishali, whose location continues to remain unidentified. According to Jainism, Mahavira was born in the year 540 BCE, which has prompted many historians to consider him to be a contemporary of Gautama Bhudda. According to Jainism, his birth is ascribed to be on the thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chairtra in the Vira Nivana Samvat calendar, which falls in either March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. Mahavira was born into the royal family of King Siddartha of Kudraam and Queen Trishala, whose brother was King Chetaka of Vaishali. In his childhood, he was called Vardhamana, which means “one who grows”. He was named this because of the increased prosperity that was experienced in the kingdom at the time of his birth. Both of his parents are said to be strict followers of Parsva.

  1. intense meditation

  2. severe penance

  3. nirvana

  4. spiritual awakening

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

The passage states that he left home to seek spiritual awakening.

Multiple choice

Mahavira is considered to be important in

Directions:  Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth and last guru of the Jain religion. He was born into a royal family in what is currently the state of Bihar, India. The town of his birth at the time when he was born was markedly prosperous in terms of agriculture, health, wealth and wisdom. It is for this reason that he was named Vardhman by his parents. When he was 30 years old, he left his home in search of spiritual awakening and spent over 12 years practising intense meditation and severe penance. After this period, he achieved enlightenment. He then travelled all over India for the next 30 years, teaching his philosophy, which is based on the concepts of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. He is said to have attained nirvana at the age of 72. He is considered to be the 24th Tirthankara (guru) of Jainism and is regarded as a reformer, rather than a founder of this religion.
While it is unknown exactly that where Mahavira was born, 3 distinct places in Bihar have been identified as possible birthplaces. These include Kundigram in Vaishali district, Lachhuar in Jamui and Kundalpur in Nalanda. Most historians will agree that Basokund was his birthplace, but traditionally, it is considered to be Kundalagrama, which is an ancient city of Vaishali, whose location continues to remain unidentified. According to Jainism, Mahavira was born in the year 540 BCE, which has prompted many historians to consider him to be a contemporary of Gautama Bhudda. According to Jainism, his birth is ascribed to be on the thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chairtra in the Vira Nivana Samvat calendar, which falls in either March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. Mahavira was born into the royal family of King Siddartha of Kudraam and Queen Trishala, whose brother was King Chetaka of Vaishali. In his childhood, he was called Vardhamana, which means “one who grows”. He was named this because of the increased prosperity that was experienced in the kingdom at the time of his birth. Both of his parents are said to be strict followers of Parsva.

  1. Jainism

  2. Islam

  3. Hinduism

  4. Buddhism

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

 According to the passage, Mahavira is considered a reformer of Jainism and  the last of the Tirthankaras (gurus) of that religion.

 

Multiple choice

At the time of Mahavira's birth, his town was prospering in

Directions:  Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth and last guru of the Jain religion. He was born into a royal family in what is currently the state of Bihar, India. The town of his birth at the time when he was born was markedly prosperous in terms of agriculture, health, wealth and wisdom. It is for this reason that he was named Vardhman by his parents. When he was 30 years old, he left his home in search of spiritual awakening and spent over 12 years practising intense meditation and severe penance. After this period, he achieved enlightenment. He then travelled all over India for the next 30 years, teaching his philosophy, which is based on the concepts of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. He is said to have attained nirvana at the age of 72. He is considered to be the 24th Tirthankara (guru) of Jainism and is regarded as a reformer, rather than a founder of this religion.
While it is unknown exactly that where Mahavira was born, 3 distinct places in Bihar have been identified as possible birthplaces. These include Kundigram in Vaishali district, Lachhuar in Jamui and Kundalpur in Nalanda. Most historians will agree that Basokund was his birthplace, but traditionally, it is considered to be Kundalagrama, which is an ancient city of Vaishali, whose location continues to remain unidentified. According to Jainism, Mahavira was born in the year 540 BCE, which has prompted many historians to consider him to be a contemporary of Gautama Bhudda. According to Jainism, his birth is ascribed to be on the thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chairtra in the Vira Nivana Samvat calendar, which falls in either March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. Mahavira was born into the royal family of King Siddartha of Kudraam and Queen Trishala, whose brother was King Chetaka of Vaishali. In his childhood, he was called Vardhamana, which means “one who grows”. He was named this because of the increased prosperity that was experienced in the kingdom at the time of his birth. Both of his parents are said to be strict followers of Parsva.

  1. health, wealth, wisdom and agriculture

  2. health, wealth, knowledge and culture

  3. wealth, knowledge, agriculture and learning

  4. wealth, health, agriculture and industry

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

 According to the passage, his town was prosperous in terms of health, wealth, wisdom and agriculture.

 

Multiple choice

How old was Mahavira when he left home to seek spiritual awakening?

Directions:  Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth and last guru of the Jain religion. He was born into a royal family in what is currently the state of Bihar, India. The town of his birth at the time when he was born was markedly prosperous in terms of agriculture, health, wealth and wisdom. It is for this reason that he was named Vardhman by his parents. When he was 30 years old, he left his home in search of spiritual awakening and spent over 12 years practising intense meditation and severe penance. After this period, he achieved enlightenment. He then travelled all over India for the next 30 years, teaching his philosophy, which is based on the concepts of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. He is said to have attained nirvana at the age of 72. He is considered to be the 24th Tirthankara (guru) of Jainism and is regarded as a reformer, rather than a founder of this religion.
While it is unknown exactly that where Mahavira was born, 3 distinct places in Bihar have been identified as possible birthplaces. These include Kundigram in Vaishali district, Lachhuar in Jamui and Kundalpur in Nalanda. Most historians will agree that Basokund was his birthplace, but traditionally, it is considered to be Kundalagrama, which is an ancient city of Vaishali, whose location continues to remain unidentified. According to Jainism, Mahavira was born in the year 540 BCE, which has prompted many historians to consider him to be a contemporary of Gautama Bhudda. According to Jainism, his birth is ascribed to be on the thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chairtra in the Vira Nivana Samvat calendar, which falls in either March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. Mahavira was born into the royal family of King Siddartha of Kudraam and Queen Trishala, whose brother was King Chetaka of Vaishali. In his childhood, he was called Vardhamana, which means “one who grows”. He was named this because of the increased prosperity that was experienced in the kingdom at the time of his birth. Both of his parents are said to be strict followers of Parsva.

  1. 72

  2. 30

  3. 12

  4. 35

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

The passage states that he left home at the age of 30.

 

Multiple choice

It is believed that Mahavira was born in

Directions:  Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth and last guru of the Jain religion. He was born into a royal family in what is currently the state of Bihar, India. The town of his birth at the time when he was born was markedly prosperous in terms of agriculture, health, wealth and wisdom. It is for this reason that he was named Vardhman by his parents. When he was 30 years old, he left his home in search of spiritual awakening and spent over 12 years practising intense meditation and severe penance. After this period, he achieved enlightenment. He then travelled all over India for the next 30 years, teaching his philosophy, which is based on the concepts of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. He is said to have attained nirvana at the age of 72. He is considered to be the 24th Tirthankara (guru) of Jainism and is regarded as a reformer, rather than a founder of this religion.
While it is unknown exactly that where Mahavira was born, 3 distinct places in Bihar have been identified as possible birthplaces. These include Kundigram in Vaishali district, Lachhuar in Jamui and Kundalpur in Nalanda. Most historians will agree that Basokund was his birthplace, but traditionally, it is considered to be Kundalagrama, which is an ancient city of Vaishali, whose location continues to remain unidentified. According to Jainism, Mahavira was born in the year 540 BCE, which has prompted many historians to consider him to be a contemporary of Gautama Bhudda. According to Jainism, his birth is ascribed to be on the thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chairtra in the Vira Nivana Samvat calendar, which falls in either March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. Mahavira was born into the royal family of King Siddartha of Kudraam and Queen Trishala, whose brother was King Chetaka of Vaishali. In his childhood, he was called Vardhamana, which means “one who grows”. He was named this because of the increased prosperity that was experienced in the kingdom at the time of his birth. Both of his parents are said to be strict followers of Parsva.

  1. Vaishali

  2. Basokund

  3. Kundigram

  4. Kundalagrama

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

Kundalagrama in Vaishali