21. Who among the following is credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in Hinduism?
[A] Raja Ram Mohan Roy
[B] Swami Vivekananda
[C] Kabir Das
[D] Adi Shankaracharya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Adi Shankaracharya]
Notes:
Adi Shankaracharya consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. His works in Sanskrit discuss the unity of the Atman and Nirguna Brahman “brahman without attributes”. He is credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in Hinduism.
22. Which of the following was the first Hindu organization to introduce proselytization in Hinduism?
[A] Ramkrishna Mission
[B] Arya Samaj
[C] Brahmo Samaj
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Arya Samaj]
Notes:
Arya Samaj was the first Hindu organization to introduce proselytization in Hinduism. It was established in Bombay on 10 April 1875 by Dayananda Saraswati who was born in Kathiawar, Gujarat 1824, and died Ajmer, 1883.
23. The philosophy in which of the following has served as foundation for Vedanta school of Hinduism?
[A] Shvetashvatara upanishad
[B] Brihadaranyaka upanishad
[C] Brahmasutra upanishad
[D] Chandogya Upanishad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chandogya Upanishad ]
Notes:
The philosophy in Chandogya Upanishad has served as foundation for Vedanta school of Hinduism. It is one of the most cited texts in later Bhasyas by scholars from the diverse schools of Hinduism.
24. Vaisesika school of Hinduism accepts which of the following as reliable means to knowledge?
[A] perception and inference
[B] observation and discussion
[C] discussion and interaction
[D] inference and study
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [perception and inference]
Notes:
Vaisesika is one of the six schools of Hindu Philosophy. The epistemology of Vaisesika school of Hinduism accepts only two reliable means to knowledge: perception and inference.
25. Which of the following is not included among the Prasthanatrayi in Hinduism?
[A] Bhagavad Gita
[B] Mukhya Upanishads
[C] Brahamasutras
[D] Manu Smriti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Manu Smriti]
Notes:
Bhagavad Gita, the Brahmasutra, the Mukhya Upanishads are known collectively as the Prasthanatrayi. It is these three books that provide a foundation for major influential monistic schools of Hinduism.
26. Who said,”in Hinduism ideas about all the major issues of faith and lifestyle – vegetarianism, nonviolence, belief in rebirth, even caste – are subjects of debate, not dogma.”?
[A] Gavin Flood
[B] Doniger
[C] Raja Ram Mohan Roy
[D] Mahatma Gandhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Doniger]
Notes:
The very positive fact about Hinduism is that it has a diversity of ideas on spirituality and traditions without any ecclesiastical order, religious authorities, or any binding holy book. A Hindu can be polytheistic, pantheistic, monotheistic, agnostic, atheistic or humanist and still be a Hindu which makes it most humane religion.
27. Which of the following is considered as nastika school of Hinduism?
[A] Sankhya
[B] Yoga
[C] Nyaya
[D] Lokayata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lokayata]
Notes:
The orthodox (astika) schools of Hindu philosophy, recognize the authority of the Vedas. These include six systems namely, Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta. Other sramana (nastika) schools traditions, such as Lokayata, Carvaka, Ajivika, Buddhism and Jainism, did not regard the Vedas as authorities.
28. By which of the following is Hinduism defined?
[A] Six darsanas (philosophies)
[B] Two schools
[C] Four major modern currents
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
Hinduism is defined by six darsanas (philosophies) , namely, Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta, two schools, Vedanta and Yoga and four major modern currents, namely Vaishnavism (Vishnu), Shaivism (Shiva), Shaktism (Devi) and Smartism (five deities treated as same).
29. How many major denominations of Hinduism do exist?
[A] Four
[B] Six
[C] Three
[D] Five
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Four]
Notes:
Hinduism is widely practiced and professed faith in India, Nepal and Mauritius. Vaishnavism Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism are the four largest denominations of Hinduism.
30. What is the number of purusharthas in Hinduism?
[A] Five
[B] Four
[C] Six
[D] Seven
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Four]
Notes:
The four Purusarthas, the proper goals of human life, in Hinduism include Dharma (ethics/duties), Artha (prosperity/work), Kama (desires/passions) and Moksha (liberation/freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth/salvation), as well as karma (action, intent and consequences) and Samara (cycle of death and rebirth).
