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

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.

Multiple choice

Paumachariyam deals with which one of the following?

  1. An exposition of the Indian flora and fauna

  2. A Jain version of Ramayana

  3. A love-lore enacted between a slave man & a woman

  4. A Buddhist exposition of the question of nirvana
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Paumachariyam is a Jain version of the Ramayana written by Vimalasuri in Prakrit. It is one of the earliest versions of the epic in the Jain tradition.

Multiple choice

Which of the following groups of Nalanda scholars spread Buddhism in Tibet?

  1. Kumarajiva, Paramartha, Shubhakarasimha, Dharmadeva

  2. Santarakshita, Padmasambhava, Kamalashila, Sthiramati

  3. Vasubandhu, Dinnaga, Dharmapala, Chandrapala

  4. Archadeva, Anga, Nagarjuna, Jinnamitra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Santarakshita and Padmasambhava were instrumental in establishing Buddhism in Tibet during the 8th century. Kamalashila was a student of Santarakshita who also traveled to Tibet.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. Senguttuvan, the son of Imayavaramban was the contemporary of Yajna Sri Satakarni.
  2. The Silappadikaram given a detailed account of the exploits of Senguttuvan. 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
C Correct answer
Explanation

Senguttuvan is a Chera king mentioned in the Silappadikaram, and historical records place him as a contemporary of Gajabahu I of Sri Lanka, often linked to the Satavahana era. The Silappadikaram provides a detailed account of his military expeditions.