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

Which one of the following statements is not correct ?

  1. The Upanishads were compiled earlier than the Puranas

  2. The Upanishads believe in the transmigration of Soul

  3. The Upanishads contain instructive stories and conversations

  4. There are no parables in the Upanishads
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Upanishads contain numerous parables and allegories (e.g., the story of Satyakama Jabala or the dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama) to explain philosophical concepts.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. The grama of the Rig Vedic Aryans usually refers to a group of kinsfold and not a village

  2. The Aryans of early Vedic times tamed elephants and used them in war along with horses

  3. The Rig Veda mentions the svayamvara and marriage of widows

  4. The Rig Veda mentions Vindhya and Satpura mountains and Narmada river
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In the Rig Veda, 'grama' refers to a tribal unit or a group of kinsfolk rather than a fixed territorial village. The other options are incorrect: elephants were not central to early Vedic warfare, and the Rig Veda does not mention the Vindhya/Satpura mountains or the Narmada river.

Multiple choice

What is the Mitakshara of Vijnaneswar?

  1. A treatise on the system of medicine

  2. An exposition of the contemporary theatre

  3. A commentary on Hindu law

  4. A treatise on the South, Indian music
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Mitakshara, written by Vijnaneswar in the 12th century, is a famous legal commentary on the Yajnavalkya Smriti and serves as a foundational text for Hindu law, particularly the law of inheritance.

Multiple choice

he earliest Persian work on Indian Music - Ghunyat-ul-Munya was written in the Court of Akbar.

  1. Sangitopanishad Sarodhara - a treatise on music and dance was written by a Jain scholar of Gujarat. Which of the statements 'given above is/are correct ?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ghunyat-ul-Munya was written during the Sultanate period, not in Akbar's court. Sangitopanishad Sarodhara was indeed written by a Jain scholar named Bachhabhatta in Gujarat.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. It was from Pala Empire that Buddhism was introduced into Tibet. .
  2. The Senas of Bengal were anti-Buddhist.
  3. The Solankis who ruled Gujarat, patronized Jainism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 and 3

  3. l and 3

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Buddhism was introduced to Tibet from the Pala Empire (1 is correct). The Solankis were indeed patrons of Jainism (3 is correct). The Senas were not strictly anti-Buddhist, though they favored Brahmanism (2 is incorrect).

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is the correct chronological sequence?

  1. Ashtadhyayi -. Buddhacharita - Kathasaritsagara Meghaduta

  2. Ashtadhyayi - Buddhacharita - Megfiaduta Kathasaritsagara

  3. Buddhacharita - Ashtadhyayi - Meghaduta Kathasaritsagara

  4. Buddhacharita - Ashtadhyayi - Kathasaritsayara Meghaduta
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The chronological order is: Ashtadhyayi (Panini, c. 5th-4th century BCE), Buddhacharita (Ashvaghosha, c. 1st-2nd century CE), Meghaduta (Kalidasa, c. 4th-5th century CE), and Kathasaritsagara (Somadeva, 11th century CE).

Multiple choice

The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by

  1. Mahayana Buddhism

  2. Hinayana Buddhism

  3. Jainism

  4. the Lokayata school
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Anuvrata was the five main teachings of Jainism - Ashimsa, Asateya, Aparigraha, Satya and Brahmacharya.

Multiple choice

Ramayana refers to

  1. Satyuga

  2. Tretayuga

  3. Dwaparyuga

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

According to Hindu cosmology, the events of the Ramayana took place in the Treta Yuga.

Multiple choice

The Ashtadhyayi by Panini is a book on

  1. sanskrit language origin

  2. sanskrit grammar

  3. sanskrit mantra

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

Ashtadhyayi is a foundational text on Sanskrit grammar written by the scholar Panini. It provides a systematic description of the language's morphology and syntax.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya, the founder of Suharawardi Silsilah in India is not correct?

  1. He believed in self-mortification

  2. He did not consider poverty as a necessary means for spiritual life

  3. He did not consider poverty as a necessary means for spiritual life

  4. He did not reject the concept of sama

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

 Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya did not consider poverty as a necessary means for spiritual life.