Religious & Epics — Set 3
Books & Authors · धार्मिक और महाकाव्य · Questions 21–30 of 50
Who is the author of 'Buddhacharita', an epic biography of the Buddha in Sanskrit?
Correct Answer: A. Ashvaghosha
Ashvaghosha was a court poet of King Kanishka who wrote this masterpiece of Kavya literature. It narrates the life of Siddhartha Gautama from his birth to his enlightenment. The book was instrumental in the spread of Buddhist ideas among elite Sanskrit circles.
The 'Nyaya Sutras', the foundational text for the Indian school of logic, were authored by?
Correct Answer: D. Gautama
Sage Gautama, also known as Akshapada, founded the Nyaya school which focuses on epistemology and reasoning. The text identifies four valid sources of knowledge: perception, inference, comparison, and testimony. It established the standards for logical debate in ancient India.
Which of the following is a prominent work of the Bhakti saint Meerabai?
Correct Answer: C. Padavali
Meerabai composed thousands of devotional poems known as Padas, which were later collected in Padavalis. Her songs are dedicated to Lord Krishna and express themes of divine love and surrender. Her poetry remains a core part of North Indian folk and classical music.
The 'Agamas' are a collection of scriptures that form the basis for which religious tradition?
Correct Answer: A. Jainism
The correct answer is 'Jainism'. The Jaina Agamas contain the teachings of the Tirthankaras and were compiled by their immediate disciples. They cover a wide range of subjects including non-violence, ethics, and cosmology. They are the most sacred authority for Jain practitioners.
Which Veda contains the instructions for the technical performance of sacrificial rituals?
Correct Answer: D. Yajur Veda
The Yajur Veda acts as a guidebook for the Adhvaryu priest who conducts the physical steps of a sacrifice. It is divided into two main branches: the Krishna (Black) and the Shukla (White) Yajur Veda. It contains both rhythmic verses and prose explanations.
The 'Bijak' is the most popular collection of the teachings and poems of which saint?
Correct Answer: D. Kabir
Bijak is the primary holy scripture for the followers of the Kabir Panth. It consists of diverse poetic forms like Sakhis and Ramainis that critique social hypocrisy and religious orthodoxies. Kabir's simple yet profound language has had a lasting impact on Indian culture.
The ancient text 'Manusmriti' is primarily a treatise on which subject?
Correct Answer: D. Law and Social Conduct
Manusmriti, also known as the Laws of Manu, is the most influential Dharma Shastra text of ancient India. It outlines the duties of different social classes and stages of life. It served as a significant reference for traditional Hindu law for centuries.
Which Mughal prince translated fifty Upanishads into Persian under the title 'Sirr-e-Akbar'?
Correct Answer: A. Dara Shikoh
Dara Shikoh was a scholar-prince who sought to find common ground between Islam and Hinduism. He believed the Upanishads contained the secret of the 'Hidden Book' mentioned in the Quran. His translation later helped introduce Indian philosophy to the Western world.
The 'Manimekalai', a sequel to Silappadikaram, promotes which religious philosophy?
Correct Answer: C. Buddhism
The correct answer is 'Buddhism'. Manimekalai was written by Sattanar and narrates the spiritual journey of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi. The epic serves as an exposition of Buddhist logic and ethical teachings. It is one of the pillars of classical Tamil literature.
The 'Brahma Sutras', which systematize the teachings of the Upanishads, are attributed to?
Correct Answer: D. Badarayana
Badarayana is the sage credited with composing these concise aphorisms that form the base of Vedanta philosophy. This work attempts to resolve apparent contradictions in various Vedic passages. All major schools of Vedanta have written commentaries on this specific text.