Shaiva, Bhagavata Religion

Total Questions: 30

1. According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas, the sequential order of the cycle of four epochs (yugas) is - [U.P.S.C (Pre) 1996]

(a) Dvapara, Krita, Treta and Kali
(b) Krita, Dvapara, Treta and Kali
(c) Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali
(d) Treta, Dvapara, Kali and Krita

Correct Answer: (c) Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali

Solution:According to the cosmogony related beliefs of ancient India, the four epochs are as follows - Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kaliyuga.

2. Which one of the following was a Shaiva sect in ancient India? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Ajivika
(b) Mattamayura
(c) Mayamata
(d) Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati

Correct Answer: (b) Mattamayura

Solution:Shaiva sect named Mattamayura in ancient India was found in the inscriptions of Chedi Dynasty. Shaivites believe that Shiva is the creator, destroyer and sustainer of the universe. They often draw three horizontal lines, known as a tripundra, on their foreheads with ashes.

3. Ardhanarisvara, a figure of half Siva and half Parvati, represents : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

(a) Union of male and female
(b) Union of God and Goddess
(c) Union of God with his Shakti
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (c) Union of God with his Shakti

Solution:Ardhanarishvara is a composite androgynous form of the Hindu God Shiva and his consort Parvati. Ardhanarishvara is depicted as half male and half female, split down the middle. The right half is usually the male Shiva, illustrating his traditional attributes. Ardhanarishvara represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe and illustrates how Shakti, the female principle of God, is insparable from Shiva, the male principle of God.

4. Who were Nayanars? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]

(a) Shaiva
(b) Shakta
(c) Vaishnava
(d) Suryopasaka

Correct Answer: (a) Shaiva

Solution:In the medieval period, the devotional spirit was mainly spread in South India, especially in Tamil regions. There were two major sects behind the development of devotional spirit in the Tamil regions. The devotees worshipping God Vishnu were called Alvara and the devotees worshiping God Shiva were called Nayanara. They told that the personal love and dedication towards God is the only way to Moksha and opposed the caste system and its rigidity

5. Who were the 'Nayanars'? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

(a) Vaishnavites
(b) Shaivites
(c) Shaktas
(d) Sun worshippers

Correct Answer: (b) Shaivites

6. Who among the following was not an 'Alvar Saint ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Poigai
(b) Tirugyan
(c) Pudam
(d) Thirumangai

Correct Answer: (b) Tirugyan

Solution:Poigai, Pudam and Thirumangai were Alvar Saints, while Tirugyan was a Nayanar saint. Tiru Neelkanta, Meiporul, Viralminda, Amaraneedi, and Eripatha are some of the Naynar saints.

7. Who contributes the most in the development of Bhagavata sect? [39ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1994]

(a) Persian
(b) Indo-Greek people
(c) Kushan
(d) Gupta

Correct Answer: (d) Gupta

Solution:The Bhagavata or Vaishnava religion reached its peak in the reign of Gupta kings. Gupta kings were the follower of Vaishnava religion, and they made it a religion of the state. Most of the Gupta rulers hold the title of 'Parambhagavata." Garuda, the mount (Vahana) of Lord Vishnu was the state
symbol of Guptas.

8. The originator of Bhagavata Religion was - [R.A.S/R.T.S. (Pre) 1993]

(a) Janak
(b) Krishna
(c) Yagyavalkya
(d) Surdas

Correct Answer: (b) Krishna

Solution:Traditionaly, the originator of Bhagavata religion was Vrishni (Satvat) descendant, Lord Krishna who is also known as Nasudeva. He was basically from Mathura. He has been described as the son of Devaki and the disciple of Ghor Angirasa in the Chandogya Upanishad.

9. Which of the following epic has primarily mentioned Krishna, son of Devaki ? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1999]

(a) Mahabharata
(b) Chhandogya Upanishad
(c) Ashtadhyayi
(d) Bhagavata Purana

Correct Answer: (b) Chhandogya Upanishad

Solution:Traditionaly, the originator of Bhagavata religion was Vrishni (Satvat) descendant, Lord Krishna who is also known as Vasudeva. He was basically from Mathura. He has been described as the son of Devaki and the disciple of Ghor Angirasa in the Chandogya Upanishad.

10. Who were the first to worship Vasudeva Krishna : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

(a) Bhagavatas
(b) Vedic Aryans
(c) Tamilians
(d) Abhirs

Correct Answer: (a) Bhagavatas

Solution:Under the Bhagavata religion, the initial form of Vaishnavism is shown in the worship of Lord Krishna, the son of Devaki. The initial name of Krishna was prevalent in the Panini age. The worshippers of Vasudeva were known as Vasudeva (Bhagavata) in that age. According to Indian belief, Lord Krishna is considered as a supreme personality and has been worshipped since ancient ages.

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