Which statement on asceticism is correct?a)The Atharva Veda often refe...
The correct option is D.
All the statements with reference to asceticism are correct.
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Which statement on asceticism is correct?a)The Atharva Veda often refe...
Explanation:
The correct statement on asceticism is option 'D' - All of the above. Let's break down each statement and understand why it is correct.
a) The Atharva Veda often refers to ascetics as vratyas:
- The Atharva Veda is one of the four Vedas in Hinduism, and it contains hymns, spells, and rituals. It is believed to be one of the oldest texts in Indian literature.
- The term "vratyas" is indeed used in the Atharva Veda to refer to ascetics. Vratyas were individuals who practiced asceticism and were known for their self-discipline, austerity, and devotion to spiritual practices.
b) By the time of the Upanishads, asceticism was widespread:
- The Upanishads are philosophical texts that form the basis of Hindu philosophy. They were composed between 800 and 200 BCE.
- The Upanishads discuss various spiritual practices, including asceticism, which was prevalent during that time. Asceticism was seen as a means to attain spiritual liberation and higher states of consciousness.
c) Vratya was a priest of a non-Vedic fertility cult which involved ritual dancing and flagellation:
- The vratyas mentioned in option 'a' are not the same as the vratya mentioned in this statement.
- Vratya, in this context, refers to a priest of a non-Vedic fertility cult. This cult involved ritual dancing and flagellation, which were practices outside the mainstream Vedic rituals.
- While vratyas in the Atharva Veda referred to ascetics, the vratyas mentioned here were associated with a specific cult and had different practices.
Therefore, all three statements are correct, and option 'D' is the correct answer.
In summary:
- The Atharva Veda refers to ascetics as vratyas.
- Asceticism was widespread during the time of the Upanishads.
- Vratya, in a different context, refers to a priest of a non-Vedic fertility cult involving ritual dancing and flagellation.