Religions & Philosophy — Set 6

Correct Answer: A. Six

• **Six** = There are traditionally six schools of Indian philosophy classified as 'Orthodox' (Astika) for accepting the Vedas' authority. • **Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta** — These are the six Astika (orthodox) schools of Indian philosophy. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Twelve': This is not the standard classification for orthodox schools; 'Nine': This number combines orthodox and heterodox schools in some classifications; 'Three': This is an insufficient number, as there are six prominent orthodox schools.

Correct Answer: D. Nastika (Heterodox)

• **Nastika (Heterodox)** = The ancient system of 'Charvaka' philosophy belongs to the Nastika (heterodox) category because it rejects the authority of the Vedas. • **Materialistic philosophy** — Charvaka is known as a materialistic philosophy that denies the existence of the soul and the afterlife. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Astika (Orthodox)': Astika schools accept the Vedas, which Charvaka rejects; 'Ascetic': While some philosophies are ascetic, Charvaka is generally hedonistic; 'Monotheistic': Charvaka is atheistic and rejects the concept of a singular God.

Correct Answer: D. Patanjali

• **Patanjali** = The 'Yoga' school of philosophy is traditionally attributed to Sage Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras. • **Yoga Sutras** — This seminal text by Patanjali systematized the philosophical framework and practical methods of Yoga. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Kapila': He is associated with the Samkhya school; 'Kanada': He is the founder of the Vaisheshika school; 'Jaimini': He is the primary exponent of the Mimamsa school.

Correct Answer: A. Mimamsa

• **Mimamsa** = The Mimamsa school of philosophy is primarily based on the interpretation and application of the Samhita and Brahmana portions of the Vedas. • **Purva Mimamsa** — This is another name for Mimamsa, indicating its focus on the earlier, ritualistic parts of the Vedas. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Nyaya': It focuses on logic and epistemology; 'Samkhya': It is a dualistic philosophy of consciousness and matter; 'Vedanta': It focuses on the Upanishads, which are the philosophical 'end' of the Vedas.

Correct Answer: B. Particularity (Difference)

• **Particularity (Difference)** = The term 'Vaisheshika' is derived from 'Vishesha', referring to the concept of particularity or distinct individual entities. • **Six categories** — Vaisheshika philosophy categorizes all objects of experience into six categories of being, including 'Vishesha'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Universality': This is a different category of being (Samanya) in Indian philosophy, opposite to Vishesha; 'Illusion': This concept is more central to Vedanta; 'Non-violence': This is a moral principle (Ahimsa), not the etymological root of Vaisheshika.

Correct Answer: D. Three

• **Three** = The 'Tripitaka' in Buddhism consists of three 'baskets' of scriptures: Vinaya, Sutta, and Abhidhamma Pitaka. • **Pali language** — The Tripitaka was originally passed down orally and later written in the Pali language, serving as primary scriptures for Theravada Buddhism. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Four': This is not the correct number of baskets for the Tripitaka; 'Five': This is an incorrect number; 'Two': The Tripitaka explicitly means 'three baskets'.

Correct Answer: C. Jainism

• **Jainism** = 'Anekantavada', the doctrine of non-absolutism, is a core principle of Jainism. • **Syadvada** — This Jain practice, also known as the 'doctrine of may be', arises from Anekantavada, emphasizing that truth is perceived differently from different points of view. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Buddhism': While it emphasizes middle path, Anekantavada is distinct to Jainism; 'Hinduism': Hinduism has diverse philosophical schools, but Anekantavada as a core tenet is not central; 'Sikhism': This concept is not a primary tenet of Sikh philosophy.

Correct Answer: A. Digambara

• **Digambara** = The Digambara sect of Jainism believes that monks should not wear any clothes to achieve complete detachment, symbolizing total renunciation. • **Sky-clad** — The literal meaning of 'Digambara', referring to their practice of nudity. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Sthanakvasi': This is a sub-sect of Shvetambara that rejects idol worship; 'Terapanthi': This is another sub-sect of Shvetambara, emphasizing a single leader; 'Shvetambara': This sect (white-clad) believes monks can wear white, unstitched clothes.

Correct Answer: B. The end

• **The end** = The 'Upanishads' are also known as 'Vedanta' because they constitute the philosophical 'end' or concluding part of the Vedas. • **Veda-anta** — The Sanskrit etymology of 'Vedanta', literally meaning 'the end of the Vedas', indicating both their chronological and philosophical position. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'The middle': The middle parts are generally the Brahmanas; 'The beginning': The Samhitas are the beginning of the Vedas; 'The summary': While they summarize the essence, 'end' is the precise literal and philosophical meaning.

Correct Answer: D. Perception

• **Perception** = The 'Charvaka' philosophy accepts only 'Perception' (Pratyaksha) as the sole valid source of knowledge. • **Empirical and worldly** — Charvaka's philosophy is strictly empirical and worldly due to its exclusive reliance on direct perception for knowledge. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Comparison': They reject comparison (Upamana) as a valid source; 'Testimony': They reject testimony (Shabda) as it is not verifiable by senses; 'Inference': They largely reject inference (Anumana) because its conclusion depends on perceived data, which they find unreliable for ultimate truth.