From which Upanishad, the words “Satyameva Jayate” have been taken?
Correct Answer:
(D) None of these
The words “Satyameva Jayate’ is a Sanskrit word taken from the ‘Mundakopanishad', not from 'Mandukopanishad'. The meaning of the word is “truth alone triumphs.” It was adopted as the national motto of India. It is inscribed in the script at the base of the national emblem. On January 26, 1950, it was adopted by the Government of India.
Ques: 2
The Statement "Tamsoma Jyotirgamaya" was originally mentioned in
Correct Answer:
(A) Upanishadas
The statement "Tamsoma Jyotirgamaya" is originally mentioned in Brihadaranyaka Upanishada. This statement means - "lead us from darkness to light or lead us from ignorance to truth"
Ques: 3
The legend of Satyakam Jabal, which challenges the stigma of being an unmarried mother, is mentioned in?
Correct Answer:
(C) Chhandogya Upanishad
Satyakama Jabala as a boy, and later a Vedic sage, who first appears in chapter IV of ancient Hindu text, the Chhandogya Upanishad challenged the stigma of an unmarried mother.
Ques: 4
The literal meaning of which Upanishada is white horse?
Correct Answer:
(D) None of these
None of the Upanishads in the given options literally means 'white horse'. Shvetashvatara Upanishad is an ancient Sanskrit text embedded in the Yajurveda. Shavetashvatara literally means 'carried on a white horse'.
Ques: 5
Which of the following animals was considered as “Aghanya” during the Vedic period:-
Correct Answer:
(C) Cow
It was the cow which was considered as “Aghanya” during Vedic period. “Aghanya” means not worthy of being killed. This status of the cow shows how pious it was considered during the Vedic period.
Ques: 6
What is the total number of Sanskaras?
Correct Answer:
(D) 16
There are total of sixteen Sanskars that have been described. Three are performed before birth, twelve during life and one after death. It seems that Upnayan Sanskar is the most important and commonly performed, besides, of course, the wedding ceremony and ritual after death.
Ques: 7
The teacher who taught ‘Ved-Vedanga’ for livelihood, was called –
Correct Answer:
(C) Upadhyaya
Upadhyaya was the one who adopted teaching as a profession to earn his livelihood and taught only a portion of Veda or Vedangas.
Ques: 8
With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct Answer:
(A) 1 only
Coat of mail and helmet made of gold and iron is mentioned in Rigveda. Possibly they were used in warfare. Indus Valley people were lacking in weapons and were possibly ruled by a class of merchants. Indus valley civilization did not leave any evidence of using weapons. Therefore, statement 1 is correct. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper. Indus Valley people knew only copper and bronze. The use of iron spread in North India between 1000 BC - 600 BC. Therefore, statement 2 is wrong. Rigvedic Aryans owed their success in India to their use of horses and chariots and recently a site called Bhagwanpura has been excavated in Haryana (of Rigvedic period) where horse bones have also been found. Evidence of the horse comes from a superficial level of Mohanjo-daro and from a doubtful terracotta figurine from Lothal. The remains of the horse are reported from Surkotada, situated in west Gujarat, and belong to around 2000 BC, but the identity is doubtful. In any case the Indus Valley civilization was not horse centred. Therefore, statement 3 is also wrong. So, the correct option is (a).
Ques: 9
‘Gopatha Brahmana’ is associated with –
Correct Answer:
(C) Atharvaveda
The Gopatha Brahmana is the only Brahmana, a genre of the prose texts describing the Vedic rituals, associated with the Atharvaveda. The text is associated with both the Shaunaka and the Paippalada recensions of the Atharvaveda.
Ques: 10
Two popular Assemblies of the Vedic period were?
Correct Answer:
(C) Sabha and Samiti
Sabha and Samiti were the two prominent assemblies in the Vedic period, mentioned in the texts like the Atharvaveda.
Sabha was considered a council of elders, while Samiti was a larger assembly of the common people
Ques: 11
Rights and Rituals related to Yajnas are mentioned in–
Correct Answer:
(D) Yajurveda
Yajurveda in Sanskrit means ‘wisdom of sacrificial formulas.’ This Veda, compiled a century or two after the Rig-Veda, contains prose and verse formulae that were to be pronounced by the priests performing the manual part of the sacrifice. It describes in prose about the procedural details of performing different rituals and Yajnas using the hymns of the Rig Veda. The Samhitas of Yajur Veda are divided into two parts: Shukla or white Yajur Veda and Krishna or black Yajur Veda. Shukla Yajur Veda has a separate Brahmana text written as Satapatha Brahmana whereas the Krishna Yajur Veda has the Brahmana prose discussions.
Ques: 12
Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells?
Correct Answer:
(C) Atharvaveda
The earliest description of charms and spells can be found in Atharvaveda.
Ques: 13
The compilation of which among the following is based upon the Rig Veda?
Correct Answer:
(B) Samaveda
The Samaveda is shortest among all the four Vedas. It is closely connected with the Rig Veda. It has taken many verses from the Rig Veda. The Samaveda is compiled inclusively for ritual application and all of its verses are meant to be chanted in ceremonies. Samaveda Samhita consists a total of 1875 verses. Amongst these except 75 or 99 verses, all of them are compiled in Rig Veda.
Ques: 14
Upanishads are books on –
Correct Answer:
(D) Philosophy
The Upanishad literature is not a religious scripture but represents a philosophy for all times and for all. The philosophy of Upanishads does not oppose any school of thought, religion or interpretation of the scriptures, but its method for explaining its concepts is unique. Upanishad means pupils sit near the teacher to learn from him about the secret doctrine.
Ques: 15
Which one of the following Vedic literature talks about salvation :
Correct Answer:
(D) Upanishads
The word salvation or Moksha is not used in Vedas, It was firstly discussed in Upanishads. Moksha means ‘‘liberation’’. The continuous cycle of life and death is not the actual aim of the human soul. According to the Upanishads, the core of our self is not the body or the mind but the Atman (Soul).
Ques: 16
The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in the :
Correct Answer:
(C) Kathopanishad
Kathopanishad is the story of the conversation between Yama, Lord of death and Nachiketa, the young 12 years old boy, who left home in search of the meaning of death and beyond. This forms the subject matter of one of the Upanishads called Katha Upanishad or Kathopanishad.
Ques: 17
King Asvapati of the Upanishadic period was the ruler of:
Correct Answer:
(B) Kekaya
The Upanishads state that some Kshatriya kings who were great scholars and philosophers also imparted knowledge to Brahmins. Some of them were- King Janak of Videha, King Pravahanjabali of Panchal, King Asvapati of Kekaya and King Ajatshatru of Kashi. Asvapati was a Kshatriya king. He was well known as a learned teacher of the age. The Kekaya kingdom was situated on the bank of river Beas, east of Gandhara kingdom. King Asvapati ruled Kekaya when Janak was the king of Videha.
Ques: 18
Which of the following is the correct order of the Vedic literature?
Correct Answer:
(A) Vedic Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads
Each of the Vedas is divided into four parts (or the sections). The correct order of them is Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads. Samhitas and Brahmanas form the Karma- Kanda segment of the Vedas. Aranyakas and Upanishads from the Gyan-Kanda segment of the Vedas. They explicitly focus on philosophy and spirituality.
Ques: 19
Vedic river Askini is identified with which one of the following rivers?
Correct Answer:
(C) Chenab
Vedic river Askini is identified with a present-day river named as Chenab, also popularly known as Chandrabhaga. The river Chenab originates from Tandi in Lahul Spiti where two rivulets namely Chandra and Bhaga meet to form this river.
Ques: 20
The ‘dharma’ and ‘rita’ depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context , consider the following statements :
‘Dharma’ was a conception of obligations and the discharge of one’s duties to oneself and to others.
‘Rita’ was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer:
(C) Both 1 and 2
Dharma and Rita in the Vedic period appear as early as the Rig Veda. Usually, Dharma signifies cosmic ordinance often in connection with the sense of natural or divine law. ‘Rita’ as such is closely related to universal harmony in which all things in the world have a proper place and function. So the term ‘Rita’ means an impersonal law, while Dharma characterizes those personal actions that engender or maintain the cosmic order. Thus, the correct answer is option (c).
Ques: 21
Who among the following Vedic deities was believed to be their priest ?
Correct Answer:
(B) Brihaspati
Brihaspati is also known as Deva-guru (teacher or priest of Gods), is the guru of the Devas (Gods).
Ques: 22
Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas?
Correct Answer:
(A) Lopamudra
Many hymns of the Rig Veda were composed by women and they were called Brahmavadini. The prominent amongst them were Lopamudra, Vishwawara, Sikta, Nivavari and Ghosa. Lopamudra was the wife of Agastya Rishi/sage.
Ques: 23
During the Rig Vedic period Nishka was an ornament of–
Correct Answer:
(B) Neck
During Vedic period, the gold necklace was called as ‘Nishka’ which later transformed the way for the gold coins.
Ques: 24
The collection of Vedic hymns are called –
Correct Answer:
(C) Samhita
Collections of Vedic hymns are called Samhitas. Samhitas are the oldest layer of Vedic texts, containing mantras, prayers, and hymns. There are four main Samhitas: Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda, and Atharva-Veda.
Ques: 25
An inscription of 14th century B.C. which describes the Vedic Gods has been found in
Correct Answer:
(B) Boghaz-Koi
Boghaz-Koi inscription which mentions four Vedic God namely Indra, Varuna, Mitra, and Nasatyas, is the 14th century B.C. inscription. It is important in Indian history because inscription of 14th century B.C. was discovered here.
Ques: 26
‘Ayurveda’ has its origin in -
Correct Answer:
(D) Atharva veda
Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine, is considered to be an Upaveda, or auxiliary knowledge, of the Atharva Veda. The Atharva Veda is known for containing hymns and spells, including those related to healing and treating diseases.
Ques: 27
800 B.C. to 600 B.C. is related to which era?
Correct Answer:
(A) Brahmin era
800 B.C. to 600 B.C. is related to Brahmana era. Often period during seventh century B.C. to third century B.C. is called as Sutra Period.
Ques: 28
The System of Governance prevalent in the Vedic era was–
Correct Answer:
(D) Descended monarchy
Most popular and prevalent system of governance during the Vedic era was descended monarchy. Although some examples of election by the people were also found but the general interest of the public was towards monarchy.
Ques: 29
The Rigvedic Aryans were governed by a
Correct Answer:
(C) Monarchical government
The Rigvedic Aryans were primarily governed by a monarchical system, where the chief of the tribe, called the "Rajan," held the highest authority. The kingship was generally hereditary, passed down through families.