All questions of Religion in India for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

Arya Samaj: A Hindu Reform Organisation

• Incorrect Statement 1: Arya Samaj was founded by M. G. Ranade in 1875.

The first statement is incorrect. Arya Samaj was actually founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati on 7 April 1875 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra. M. G. Ranade, on the other hand, was a prominent social reformer and activist in the late 19th century, but he was not involved in the founding of Arya Samaj.

• Statement 2: It sought to revive Vedic learning and combine it with modern education in the sciences.

This statement is correct. Arya Samaj aimed to reform Hindu society by promoting Vedic learning and combining it with modern education in the sciences. Swami Dayananda Saraswati believed in the importance of education and advocated for a harmonious blend of traditional Vedic knowledge and modern scientific knowledge.

• Statement 3: It regards the Vedas as infallible.

The statement does not provide any information about Arya Samaj's perspective on the infallibility of the Vedas. However, it is important to note that Arya Samaj considers the Vedas as the highest authority in matters of religious and moral guidance. They emphasize the importance of Vedic texts and teachings in their reformist ideology.

• Incorrect Statement 4: Arya Samaj professed 'Shuddhi' to bring back to the Hindu fold those who had recently converted to Islam.

The fourth statement is incorrect. While Arya Samaj did engage in the practice of 'Shuddhi', it primarily aimed to bring back those Hindus who had converted to other religions, such as Christianity or Islam, rather than focusing on recent converts to Islam specifically.

In conclusion, the correct answers are:
a) 1 only

D

Purana Kassapa
- Purana Kassapa was a prominent teacher in the Sramana movement in ancient Northern India.
- He taught that there is no virtue or sin, no merit or demerit, whatever one does.
- This philosophy suggests that actions do not have moral consequences or karmic implications.
- According to Purana Kassapa, there is no inherent value in any action, and individuals are free to do as they please without any ethical considerations.

Ajita Kesakambali
- Ajita Kesakambali was another influential figure in the Sramana movement.
- He taught a form of materialism, denying the existence of a future life or the concept of repeated rebirth.
- According to Ajita Kesakambali, there is no afterlife or continuation of consciousness beyond death.
- This viewpoint rejects the idea of karma and the cycle of birth and death, emphasizing the importance of living in the present and seeking enjoyment and pleasure in the material world.

Pakudha Kaccayana
- Pakudha Kaccayana was yet another teacher in the Sramana movement.
- He believed in the existence of stable and unproductive, independent primordial substances.
- These substances include earth, water, fire, air, joy, sorrow, and life.
- According to Pakudha Kaccayana, these substances are eternal and do not undergo any transformation or change.

Correct Answer
- The correct answer is option 'C' - 1, 2, and 3.
- All three statements are accurate representations of the teachings of Purana Kassapa, Ajita Kesakambali, and Pakudha Kaccayana, respectively.
- These teachings reflect the diversity of philosophical perspectives within the Sramana movement, which challenged orthodox Hindu beliefs and practices during ancient Northern India.

The correct answer is option 'D' - 1 Only.

Religion in the Vedic period was characterized by a polytheistic belief system centered around the worship of various gods and goddesses. The Vedic religion was based on the sacred texts known as the Vedas, which were composed during this period. Let's discuss each statement in detail:

1. There is evidence of female gods:
- The Vedic period saw the presence of female deities. Some prominent examples include Ushas (the goddess of dawn), Aditi (the mother goddess), Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge and learning), and Prithvi (the goddess of earth).
- These female deities were often associated with important aspects of life and nature, and they were revered and worshipped alongside their male counterparts.

2. Female gods were given equal status with male gods:
- While there is evidence of female deities in the Vedic period, it is important to note that they were not given equal status with male gods.
- The Vedic society was predominantly patriarchal, and the male deities were considered more powerful and significant.
- The hymns and rituals in the Vedas primarily focus on male gods, and their roles and attributes are given more prominence than those of the female deities.

3. There was idol worship prevalent during the period:
- Idol worship, as we understand it today, was not prevalent during the Vedic period.
- The Vedic religion emphasized ritualistic worship and sacrifices performed by priests known as the Brahmins.
- These rituals involved offerings of food, drink, and prayers to the gods, but they did not involve the use of physical idols or images.
- The focus was more on the internal and symbolic aspects of worship rather than external representations.

In conclusion, while there is evidence of female deities in the Vedic period, they were not given equal status with male gods. Idol worship, as understood in modern times, was not prevalent during this period. Therefore, option 'D' - 1 Only is the correct answer.

Understanding Brahmanism
Brahmanism is a term used to describe the early form of Hinduism that emphasizes the Vedic texts and the rituals performed by the priestly class. Let's break down the two statements to understand the correctness of each.
Statement 1: Brahmanism emphasizes the rites performed by, and the status of, the priestly class.
- This statement is correct.
- Brahmanism is deeply rooted in the rituals and ceremonies conducted by Brahmins, the priestly class in ancient India.
- The Vedas, which are the foundational texts of Brahmanism, lay out various rituals and sacrifices that are crucial for spiritual and social order.
- The status of Brahmins as custodians of these rituals underscores their importance in society.
Statement 2: Brahmanism emerged from Vedanta principles.
- This statement is incorrect.
- Vedanta is a later philosophical development within Hinduism that focuses on the end parts of the Vedas, particularly the Upanishads.
- Brahmanism predates Vedanta and is primarily concerned with the ritualistic aspect of the Vedas rather than the philosophical introspection that characterizes Vedanta.
- Thus, it is misleading to say that Brahmanism emerged from Vedanta principles.
Conclusion
- Based on the analysis, only the first statement is accurate.
- Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A': 1 only.

Explanation:

Statement 1:
Shaktism is not a major tradition of Buddhism. Shaktism is actually a major tradition within Hinduism that focuses on the worship of the divine feminine energy, Shakti. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.

Statement 2:
Shaktism does indeed consider metaphysical reality as feminine. The concept of Shakti represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the entire universe in Hinduism. This feminine energy is seen as the creative power of the universe and is revered in Shaktism. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is:

Option B) 2 only

The correct answer is option 'D' - 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

The Shakti Peethas are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-focused Hindu tradition. These Peethas are believed to be the places where body parts of the Hindu goddess Sati fell when Lord Shiva carried her burnt body across the universe. There are a total of 108 Shakti Peethas, and they are spread across various countries and regions in Asia. Let's explore which countries and regions host these Shakti Peethas:

1. Nepal:
Nepal is home to two Shakti Peethas:
- Pashupatinath Temple: This temple is located in Kathmandu, Nepal, and is considered one of the holiest Shakti Peethas. It is believed to be the place where the forehead of Sati fell.
- Guhyeshwari Temple: Situated near the Pashupatinath Temple, this temple is dedicated to the Shakti form of Sati. It is believed to be the place where her knees fell.

2. Bangladesh:
Bangladesh is also home to two Shakti Peethas:
- Chandranath Temple: Located in Sitakunda, Bangladesh, this temple is believed to be the place where the forehead of Sati fell.
- Sugandha Shakti Peetha: Situated in Shikarpur, Bangladesh, this temple is dedicated to the Shakti form of Sati. It is believed to be the place where her nose fell.

3. Tibet:
Tibet is home to one Shakti Peetha:
- Jwalamukhi Temple: Located in the Kangra Valley of Tibet, this temple is dedicated to the Shakti form of Sati. It is believed to be the place where her tongue fell.

4. Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka is home to one Shakti Peetha:
- Koneswaram Temple: Situated in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, this temple is dedicated to the Shakti form of Sati. It is believed to be the place where her navel fell.

5. Pakistan:
Pakistan is home to one Shakti Peetha:
- Hinglaj Mata Temple: Located in Hingol National Park, Balochistan, Pakistan, this temple is dedicated to the Shakti form of Sati. It is believed to be the place where her head fell.

Hence, all of the mentioned countries and regions, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, host the 108 Shakti Peethas.

Answer:

Introduction:
Tantra is a religious and philosophical tradition that originated in India and is associated with both Hinduism and Buddhism. It encompasses various practices, rituals, and texts that are aimed at spiritual growth and enlightenment. It is important to understand the key aspects of Tantra in both Hinduism and Buddhism to evaluate the given statements.

Statement 1: Icons, puja and temple building were introduced into Hinduism by Tantra.
- Icons: Tantra did play a significant role in the development and proliferation of icon worship in Hinduism. Tantra introduced the idea of using icons or images as a means to connect with and worship the divine. This concept became prevalent in Hinduism, especially in the later periods.
- Puja: Puja, or worship, is an integral part of Hindu religious practice. While it predates Tantra, Tantra contributed to the development and systematization of elaborate ritualistic practices, including the use of specific mantras, mudras, and yantras during puja.
- Temple Building: The construction of temples was not introduced by Tantra. Temples have existed in Hinduism since ancient times, even before the advent of Tantra. However, Tantra did influence the architectural and ritualistic aspects of temple construction. Tantric rituals were incorporated into temple worship, and the layout and design of temples were influenced by Tantric principles.

Statement 2: In Buddhism, the Theravada tradition is known for its extensive Tantra ideas and practices.
- This statement is incorrect. The Theravada tradition is not known for its extensive Tantra ideas and practices. Theravada Buddhism, which is prevalent in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand, primarily focuses on the teachings of the Pali Canon and emphasizes meditation and insight. Tantra, on the other hand, is more closely associated with Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, particularly in Tibetan Buddhism.

Conclusion:
To summarize, statement 1 is correct as Tantra did contribute to the introduction and development of icons, puja, and temple building in Hinduism. However, statement 2 is incorrect as the Theravada tradition of Buddhism is not known for its extensive Tantra ideas and practices.

Brahmanism

Justification:

• Guru Angad compiled Guru Nanak's compositions, to which he added his own in a new script known as Gurmukhi.
• The three successors of Guru Angad also wrote under the name of 'Nanak', and all of their compositions were compiled by Guru Arjan in 1604.
• To this compilation were added other figures like Shaikh Farid, Sant Kabir, Bhagat Namdev and Guru Tegh Bahadur.
• In 1706, this compilation was authenticated by his son and successor, Guru Gobind Singh. It is now known as Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs (syncretism).
• By the beginning of the 17th century, Ramdaspur (Amritsar) had developed around the central Gurdwara called Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).
• The Sikhs community, called the Khalsa Panth, became a political entity (militaristic outlook).
• Nanak had a huge impact on this development from the very beginning. He emphasised the importance of the worship of one god. He insisted that caste, creed or gender was irrelevant for attaining liberation.