1. In context with the Mahayana Buddhism faith, the future Buddha is ___?
[A] Krakuchanda
[B] Amitabha
[C] Maitreya
[D] Kanak Muni
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Correct Answer: C [Maitreya]
Notes:
Maitreya is a future Buddha. . According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor of the historic Sakyamuni Buddha, who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma.
2. The famous painting “Bani Thani” is from which among the following styles of Painting?
[A] Kishangarh Painting
[B] Phad Painting
[C] Rajput painting
[D] None of them
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Correct Answer: A [Kishangarh Painting]
Notes:
Bani Thani is a famous painting from Kishangarh style.
3. Four Noble Truths are one of the most fundamental truths of which of the following religion?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Islam
[D] Hinduism
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Correct Answer: B [Buddhism]
Notes:
There are four noble truths of Buddhism:a. The world is full of sorrowb. Desire is the cause of sorrowc. If desire is conquered all sorrow is won overd. Desire can be conquered by following eight fold paths (Ashtangirka Marg)
4. Who among the following was instrumental in designing New Delhi in collaboration with Edwin Lutyens?
[A] John Abel
[B] Thomas Warr Attwood
[C] Simon Basil
[D] Herbert Baker
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Correct Answer: D [Herbert Baker]
Notes:
Herber Baker was instrumental in designing New Delhi in collaboration with Edwin Lutyens. Lutyens also designed Viceroy’s House, which is now known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
5. Which among the following sub-school of Vedanta is followed by ISCON?
[A] Shuddhādvaita
[B] Achintya Bhedābheda
[C] Purnādvaita or Integral Advaita
[D] Modern Vedānta
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Correct Answer: B [Achintya Bhedābheda]
Notes:
The correct answer is Achintya Bhedābheda. This sub-school of Vedanta, founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century, emphasizes the simultaneous oneness and difference between the individual soul (jiva) and the Supreme (Brahman). ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) follows this philosophy, promoting devotion (bhakti) to Lord Krishna while acknowledging the unique relationship between the divine and the individual. This approach is distinct from other Vedantic schools, which may emphasize either non-dualism or dualism more strictly.
6. Who among the following was the poets composed Sur Sagar?
[A] Surdas
[B] Mira Bai
[C] Jagjivan Das
[D] Kabir Das
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Correct Answer: A [Surdas]
Notes:
Saint Surdas ji was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and Radha, known for his devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. He composed Sur Sagar (Ocean of Melody), Sur Saravali and Sahitya Ratna. He was blind from birth belong to saguna school of Bhakti Kal.
7. Which of the following temples of Odisha has a khakhara type of Sikhara?
[A] Jagannath Temple
[B] Lingaraja Temple
[C] Rajarani Temple
[D] Baital Deula Temple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Baital Deula Temple]
Notes:
The Khakhara Deula is altogether a different style of architecture closely appearing similar to the Dravidian Gopuran design. The word is derived from Khakharu (Pumpkin, gourd) as the crown looks like a barrel- vaulted elongated roof. It is a rectangular building with a truncated pyramid-shaped roof, like the gopuras. The temples of the feminine deities as Shakti are temple of that type. One example is the Baitala Deula of Bhubneshwar, dedicated to Chamunda. The Sakta temples are generally of Khakhara order. Brahmi temple of Chaurasi in Puri and Gouri temple of Bhubaneswar are two other glaring examples of Khakhara temple.
8. For the first time, Indian Music genres were divided into Marga Sangeet (Classical Music) and Desi Sangeet (Folk Music) by __?
[A] Natyashashtra
[B] Brihaddeshi
[C] Sangeet Ratnakara
[D] Sangeet Martand
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Correct Answer: B [Brihaddeshi]
Notes:
In post Gupta period, a great treatise only after Natya Shastra was composed in Sanskrit as Brihaddeshi by Matanga Muni. Brihaddeshi is the first text that speaks about raga and distinguishes the music genres into Marga Sangeet (Classical Music) and Desi Sangeet (Folk Music). Brihaddeshi was also the important work on Indian music before the Islam came and influenced the Indian music. Brihaddeshi was based upon the Natya Shastra itself and has clarified many things which were unclear in the Bharata’s text.
9. Padam, Javali, Kriti and Keerthanam are varnams of which of the following dance forms?
[A] Kathak
[B] Manipuri
[C] Bharatnatyam
[D] Odishi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bharatnatyam]
Notes:
Bharatnatyam is a major genre of Indian classical dance that originated in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions. Today this dance form is very much popular in South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
10. Who among the following professed Suddhadvaita philosophy?
[A] Swami Krishnananda
[B] Ramanada
[C] Sri Vallabhacharya
[D] Guru Jambheshwar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sri Vallabhacharya]
Notes:
Suddhadvaita means pure nondualism. Sri Vallabhacharya was the professor of this philosophy. He completely identified the individual soul with Brahman and did not pledge the distinction between the two. Please note that Vallabhacharya was also known as Mahaprabhuji and he founded the Pushti sect Hindus. These followers are called Pushtimargi which means in English – Path of grace.