Shaiva, Bhagavata Religion MCQs with Answers

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Most Important MCQs on the topic “Shaiva, Bhagavata Religion “. These questions are very important for SSC, Railways, Defence, CTET, State PCS, UPSC, Judiciary, and all other examinations of India.

Q. Ardhanarisvara, a figure of half Shiva and half Parvati, represents___

(A) Union of male and female
(B) Union of God and Goddess
(C) Union of God with his Shakti
(D) None of the above

Ans:- (C) Union of God with his Shakti

Explanation:- The Ardhanarisvara form represents the union of God (Shiva) with his Shakti (Parvati). It is depicted as half-male and half-female, equally split down the middle. The right half is usually the male Shiva, illustrating his traditional attributes, while the left half is usually the female Parvati, illustrating her traditional attributes.

Q. Who were Nayanars?

(A) Shaiva
(B) Shakta
(C) Vaishnava
(D) Suryopasaka

Ans:- (A) Shaiva

Explanation:- The term “Nayanar” literally means “servants of Shiva.” They were devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. The Nayanars played a key role in the development of Shaivism in Tamil Nadu. Nayanars were a group of 63 Tamil poet-saints who lived during the 6th to 8th centuries CE.

Q. According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas, the sequential order of the cycle of four epochs (yugas) is ____

(A) Dvapara, Krita, Treta and Kali
(B) Krita, Dvapara, Treta and Kali
(C) Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali
(D) Treta, Dvapara, Kali and Krita

Ans:- (C) Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali

Explanation:- The four epochs, or yugas, are a cyclical concept in Hindu cosmology.
Krita Yuga (also known as Satya Yuga) is the first and most perfect age. It is a time of peace, harmony, and prosperity.
Treta Yuga is the second age. It is a time of decline from the perfection of Krita Yuga. There is less peace and harmony, and people are more prone to sin.
Dvapara Yuga is the third age. It is a time of further decline from Treta Yuga. People are more selfish and greedy, and there is more violence and conflict.
Kali Yuga is the fourth and final age. It is a time of chaos and destruction. People are ruled by their base desires, and the world is in a state of decline.

Q. Which one of the following was a Shaiva sect in ancient India?

(A) Ajivika
(B) Mattamayura
(C) Mayamata
(D) Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati

Ans:- (B) Mattamayura

Explanation:-

Mattamayura was a Shaivite sect that originated in the 6th century CE. It was founded by Mayurachari, a sage who is said to have received his teachings directly from Shiva. The Mattamayuras were known for their eccentric behavior and their emphasis on the importance of intoxication. They believed that intoxication could help to free the soul from the bonds of samsara.

Q. Who among the following was not an ‘Alvar Saint’?

(A) Poigai
(B) Tirugyan
(C) Pudam
(D) Thirumangai

Ans:- (B) Tirugyan

Explanation:- Alvar saints were a group of 12 Tamil poet-saints who lived during the 6th to 9th centuries CE. They were devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu. Poigai Alvar, Thirumangai Alvar, Pudam Alvar, and Nammalwar were all Alvar saints, while Tirugyan was not.

Q. Who contributed the most to the development of the Bhagavata sect?

(A) Persian
(B) Indo-Greek people
(C) Kushan
(D) Gupta

Ans:- (D) Gupta

Explanation:- The Gupta Empire, which ruled over much of India from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE, played a significant role in the development of the Bhagavata sect. During this period, the sect gained widespread popularity and influence. The royal patronage, intellectual climate, Bhakti movement, and artistic expressions of the Gupta era all contributed to the widespread acceptance and influence of Bhagavatism in India.

Q. The originator of the Bhagavata Religion was _____.

(A) Janak
(B) Krishna
(C) Yagyavalkya
(D) Surdas

Ans:- (C) Yagyavalkya

Q. Which of the following epic has primarily mentioned Krishna, son of Devaki?

(A) Mahabharata
(B) Chandogya Upanishad
(C) Ashtadhyayi
(D) Bhagavata Purana

Ans:- (D) Bhagavata Purana

Q. Who were the first to worship Vasudeva Krishna?

(A) Bhagavatas
(B) Vedic Aryans
(C) Tamilians
(D) Abhirs

Ans:- (A) Bhagavatas

Explanation:- Bhagavatas are a specific Vaishnava sect centered around Krishna worship. Their tradition is believed to have pre-dated the Mahabharata (which mentions Krishna), potentially dating back to the 6th century BCE.

Q. Who among the following deities is represented in art as holding the plough?

(A) Krishna
(B) Balarama
(C) Kartikeya
(D) Maitreya

Ans:- (B) Balarama

Explanation:- Balarama is specifically associated with the plough in art. He is often shown as a strong, muscular man with a plough in his hand, representing his connection to agriculture and the earth.

Q. The number of forms of bhakti in the Bhagavata cult is_____.

(A) 7
(B) 8
(C) 9
(D) 10

Ans:- (C) 9

Explanation:- The Bhagavata Purana, a foundational text of the Bhagavata cult, outlines 9 forms of bhakti (devotion) towards Krishna. These are:

Śravaṇa (listening): Devoting oneself to listening to scriptures, hymns, and stories about Krishna’s life and teachings.
Kīrtana (chanting): Singing hymns and praises of Krishna, often accompanied by musical instruments.
Smaraṇa (remembering): Constantly thinking about Krishna and his divine qualities, keeping his presence alive in the mind.
Pāda-sevana (serving the feet): Offering physical service to Krishna, such as cleaning his temple, preparing offerings, or participating in rituals.
Arcana (worship): Performing rituals and pujas dedicated to Krishna, offering flowers, incense, and other symbolic items.
Vandanam (obeisance): Prostrating oneself before Krishna or his image as an act of humility and surrender.
Dāsya (servitude): Seeing oneself as Krishna’s eternal servant, offering one’s actions and talents for his pleasure.
Sakhyam (friendship): Cultivating a deep sense of friendship and companionship with Krishna, sharing one’s thoughts and feelings with him.
Ātma-nivedanam (surrender): Completely surrendering oneself to Krishna, offering one’s entire being, body, mind, and soul.

These nine forms of bhakti provide a path for devotees to connect with Krishna.

Q. The Besanagar inscription of Heliodorus is associated with_____.

(A) Sankarshan and Vasudeva
(B) Sankarshan and Pradyumna
(C) Sankarshan, Pradyumna and Vasudeva
(D) Only Vasudeva

Ans:- (D) Only Vasudeva

Explanation:- The Besanagar inscription is the earliest known evidence of the worship of Krishna as Vasudeva. It is also significant because it demonstrates the spread of Vaishnavism, a Hindu tradition that worships Vishnu as the supreme God.

Q. The earliest archival evidence related to the Bhagavat Religion is_____.

(A) Allahabad’s inscription of Samudragupta
(B) Besnagar’s inscription of Heliodorus
(C) Bhitri’s inscription of Skanda Gupta
(D) Mehrauli’s pillar inscription

Ans:- (B) Besnagar’s inscription of Heliodorus

Explanation:-
The earliest archival evidence related to the Bhagavata religion is (B) Besnagar’s inscription of Heliodorus.

Q. The earliest known epigraphic evidence of Bhagvatism is_____.

(A) Prayaga Prashasti of Samudra Gupta
(B) Nasik inscription of Gautami Balshri
(C) Garuda column at Besnagar
(D) Ayodhya inscription of Dhanadeva

Ans:- (C) Garuda column at Besnagar

Explanation:-

The earliest known epigraphic evidence of Bhagvatism is (C) Garuda column at Besnagar.

The Garuda column was erected by Heliodorus, an ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antimachus I. The column features a statue of Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu, and an inscription that mentions Heliodorus’s pilgrimage to the city of Besnagar (modern-day Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh) to worship the god Vasudeva. The inscription also mentions Sankarshan, a name for Krishna, as the son of Vasudeva.

This inscription provides direct evidence for the existence of Bhagvatism, a Vaishnava sect that worships Krishna as the supreme God, at a relatively early date. It is also significant because it demonstrates the spread of Vaishnavism into the Indo-Greek kingdom.

Q. Heliodorus of ‘Besanagar inscription’ was a resident of_____.

(A) Pushkalavati
(B) Takshila (Taxila)
(C) Sakala
(D) Mathura

Ans:- (B) Takshila (Taxila)

Explanation:- The Besanagar inscription itself states that Heliodorus was a resident of Taxila.

Q. Which incarnation of Vishnu is depicted as saving the Earth from the Sea?

(A) Kachhapa
(B) Matsya
(C) Varaha
(D) Narsingh

Ans:- (C) Varaha

Explanation:- The incarnation of Vishnu depicted as saving the Earth from the Sea is (C) Varaha. Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu is often depicted with the Earth on his tusk, symbolizing his act of lifting it back from the depths of the ocean.

Q. Which of the following is the distinctive feature of a nastika and astika system in India?

(A) Belief in the existence of God
(B) Belief in the doctrine of rebirth
(C) Belief in the authenticity of the Vedas
(D) Belief in the existence of heaven and hell

Ans:- (C) Belief in the authenticity of the Vedas

Explanation:- The distinctive feature of a Nastika and Astika system in India is (C) Belief in the authenticity of the Vedas. Astika literally means “one who believes,” and in this context, it refers to those who accept the authority of the Vedas. Nastika means “one who denies,” and it refers to those who reject the authority of the Vedas.

Q. Which one of the following gives equal importance to Jnana, Karma and Bhakti as a means of liberation?

(A) Advaita Vedanta
(B) Vishistadvaitvad Vedanta
(C) Bhagavad Gita
(D) Mimamsa

Ans:- (C) Bhagavad Gita

Explanation:- The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred text within the Mahabharata and presents a synthesis of various spiritual paths. It highlights the importance of jnana (self-knowledge), karma (right action), and bhakti (devotion) as equally valid means of achieving liberation. Krishna, the central figure in the Gita, emphasizes that the path ultimately depends on the individual’s temperament and inclination.

Q. Which one of the following is not included in ‘Prasthan trayi’?

(A) Bhagavata
(B) Bhagavad Gita
(C) Brahma Sutra
(D) Upanishad

Ans:- (A) Bhagavata

The Bhagavata, while a significant text in Vaishnavism (a Hindu tradition focusing on Vishnu and Krishna), is not considered part of the Prasthanatrayi. It focuses more on devotional narratives and the life of Krishna than the philosophical inquiries and systematic approach found in the other three texts.

Therefore, Bhagavata is the one not included in Prasthanatrayi.

Q. The ancient place where the narration of the entire Mahabharata was read in the conference of 60,000 hermits _____.

(A) Ahichhatra
(B) Hastinapur
(C) Kampilya
(D) Naimisharanya

Ans:- (D) Naimisharanya

Explanation:-Naimisharanya, located in the present-day Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh, India, is considered the ancient place where the entire Mahabharata was narrated to a gathering of 60,000 hermits.

Q. Which Kand of Ramayana describes the first meeting of Rama and Hanumana?

(A) Kishkindha Kand
(B) Sunder Kand
(C) Bal Kand
(D) None of the above

Ans:- (A) Kishkindha Kand

Q. The Rathyatra at Puri is celebrated in honour of which Hindu deity?

(A) Lord Rama
(B) Lord Vishnu
(C) Lord Jagannath
(D) Lord Shiva

Ans:- (C) Lord Jagannath

Explanation:- The Rathyatra festival at Puri, also known as the “Car Festival”, is one of the most famous and vibrant Hindu festivals celebrated annually in Odisha. It is held in honor of Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu specifically worshipped in Puri.

Q. Kumbh Mela at Nasik is held on which of the following river bank?

(A) Tapti River
(B) Narmada River
(C) Koyna River
(D) Godavari River

Ans:- (D) Godavari River

Explanation:- The Kumbh Mela at Nasik is held on the banks of the (D) Godavari River.The Godavari River is considered one of the holiest rivers in India and holds great significance in Hindu mythology. It is believed that taking a dip in the Godavari River during the Kumbh Mela washes away sins and brings spiritual merit.

Q. In the context of Indian culture who among the following is called Ananga?

(A) Shiva
(B) Krishna
(C) Kama
(D) Laxman

Ans:- (C) Kama

Explanation:- In the context of Indian culture, the name Ananga primarily refers to (C) Kama, the Hindu god of love and desire. The name “Ananga” literally translates to “bodiless” or “without a body.” This is significant because Kama is often depicted as a handsome young man, but he can also change his form or become invisible. This association with being bodiless earned him the name Ananga.

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Shaiva, Bhagavata Religion MCQs with Answers

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