UGC NTA NET/JRF Exam, INDIAN CULTURE, AUGUST-2024

Total Questions: 100

91. Read the following passage and answer the questions.

Bhagavatism originated in post-Maurya times and centred around the worship of Vishnu or Bhagavata. Vishnu was a minor god in Vedic time. He represented the sun and also the fertility cult. By the second century BC he was merged with a god called Narayana and came to be known as Narayana-Vishnu. Originally Narayana was a non-vedic tribal god called Bhagavata and his worshippers were called Bhagavatas.

This god was conceived as a divine counterpart of the tribal chief. Just as a tribal chief received presents from his Kinsmen and distributed shares among them, Narayana also was supposed to bestow shares or good fortune (bhaga) on his bhaktas or worshippers. In return the worshippers or bhaktas offered their loving devotion or bhakti to him. The worshippers of Vishnu and those of Narayan were brought under a single umbrella by merging Vishnu with Narayana. The former was a vedic god and the latter emerged subsequently with non-vedic associations, but the two cultures, the two types of peoples and the two gods mingled and merged.

Who was the main god during the vedic age?

Correct Answer: B. Indra
Solution:

During the Vedic age, Indra was the chief deity of the Rigvedic pantheon. He was revered as the god of thunder and rain, the king of the gods, and the destroyer of Vritra, the demon of drought. Indra's prominence is reflected in the large number of hymns dedicated to him in the Rigveda.

92. What is the main lesson derived from the Bhagwat Dharma?

Correct Answer: C. Bhakti/Devotion and non-voilence
Solution:

Bhagavat Dharma emphasized bhakti (devotion) as the central path to salvation. The followers of Bhagavatism believed in a personal god (Vishnu) and advocated loving devotion. Non-violence (ahimsa) was also a significant principle in Bhagavat Dharma, distinguishing it from other Vedic traditions that included animal sacrifices.

93. Which caste group of ancient India treated Vishnu as their Hero/Leader?

Correct Answer: B. Vrishni
Solution:

The Vrishni clan, to which Lord Krishna belonged, treated Vishnu as their hero and leader. The Bhagavata tradition was closely associated with the Vrishni lineage, which played a significant role in the spread of Vaishnavism.

94. Which Dharma/Religion was suffered after spreading of Bhagawat Dharma?

Correct Answer: C. Mahayan Bauddhism
Solution:

The spread of Bhagavat Dharma led to a decline in Mahayana Buddhism, as both religions emphasized devotion and salvation through a divine figure. With the increasing popularity of Vishnu as a savior deity, Mahayana Buddhism, which promoted the worship of Bodhisattvas, faced competition and gradually declined in India.

95. In which age, Bhagawat Puran was written?

Correct Answer: A. Post 6th Century
Solution:

The Bhagavata Puran, one of the most important Vaishnavite texts, was composed after the 6th century CE. It elaborates on the life of Krishna and promotes devotion (bhakti) as the supreme path to liberation.

96. Read the following passage and answer the questions.

And the blessed one said to the Bhikkhus: 'I am delivere from all fetters, human and divine. Go you now, and wander, for the gain of the many, for the welfare of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, for the gain, and for the welfare of gods and men. Let not two of you go the same way. Preach the doctrine which is glorious in the beginning, glorious in the middle glorious at the end, in the spirit and in the letter; proclaim a consummate, perfect, and pure life of holiness. There are beings whose mental eyes are covered by scarcely any dust, but if the doctrine is not preached to them, they cannot attain salvation. They will understand the doctrine. And I will go also, to uruvela, to senaninigatma, in order to preach the doctrine?

How many Arihants participated in the first Bhikkhu council of Buddha?

Correct Answer: C. 60
Solution:

The First Buddhist Council, held soon after Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (death), was attended by 60 Arahants (enlightened monks). This council took place at Rajagriha under the patronage of King Ajatshatru andwas led by Mahakassapa, a senior disciple of the Buddha.

97. The given passage is related to:

Correct Answer: D. Vinay Pitaka
Solution:

The passage belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka, one of the three baskets (Tripitaka) of Buddhist scriptures. The Vinaya Pitaka contains rules and regulations for monastic discipline, including guidelines for Buddhist monks and nuns.

98. In which book the story of Sariputra and Maudglayana is found?

Correct Answer: B. Vinay Pitaka
Solution:

The story of Sariputra and Maudgalyayana is found in the Vinaya Pitaka. These two were among Buddha's foremost disciples, known for their deep wisdom and supernatural abilities. Their conversion to Buddhism is a significant event in Buddhist literature.

99. In Sutta Pitaka, which king converses with Buddha?

Correct Answer: B. Ajatshatru
Solution:

In the Sutta Pitaka, King Ajatshatru is recorded as having had discussions with Buddha. Initially, Ajatshatru was a supporter of Devadatta, Buddha's rival, but later, he repented for his past misdeeds, including the murder of his father, King Bimbisara.

100. Sujata, who served Kheer to Buddha was daughter of:

Correct Answer: B. Senaninigatma
Solution:

Sujata, who offered kheer (sweet rice pudding) to Buddha before his enlightenment, was the daughter of Senaninigatma. According to Buddhist tradition, her offering marked the end of Siddhartha Gautama's extreme ascetic practices and helped him attain the Middle Path, leading to enlightenment.