Vedic Period UPSC PYQ — Rigvedic & Later Vedic Age

Explanation

The Upanishads do contain parables such as the story of the two birds. The first versions of the Puranas are generally placed later than the Upanishads.

Explanation

The Rigvedic material mentions armour and horse use, while such evidence is absent at Indus sites. The second statement is not correct as the comparison of metals is not as given.

Explanation

This was the work of Sutas and Magadhas, the bards and chroniclers.

Explanation

The early Vedic religion was centered around the worship of natural forces such as Agni, Indra, Surya, Vayu, and Varuna. Yajnas (sacrificial rituals) were the core religious practice. There was no concept of Bhakti or image worship during this early phase.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Dharma refers to moral duty, ethical conduct, and social responsibility.
Statement 2 is correct: Rita (Rta) is the Vedic concept of cosmic order and truth. It represents the natural law that maintains universal harmony.

Explanation

Atharvaveda is the fourth Veda, distinct from the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas. It contains mystic chants, spells, and prayers aimed at healing, protection, or harming enemies.

Explanation

Magadh emerged as the most dominant city-state in 6th century B.C., with its first capital at Rajagriha. Its strategic location and fertile land made it a political and cultural powerhouse.

Explanation

In ancient Indian texts, Arya referred to cultural and linguistic identity, not race or ethnicity. Modern scholarship identifies Aryans primarily as a speech group, referring to speakers of Indo-Aryan languages.

Explanation

Kula, Vamsa, and Gotra all relate to genealogy, social structure, and family identity. Kosa refers to treasury or wealth, especially in political and economic contexts, and belongs to the domain of statecraft.

Explanation

The Rigveda frequently refers to the Sindhu (Indus) River. The region is called Sapta-Sindhu. Sindhu is praised for its majesty, power, and fertility. Ganga is rarely mentioned in the early Vedic corpus.

Explanation

Purva Mimamsa, founded by Jaimini, asserts that Karma (ritual action) is the path to liberation (moksha). Liberation is achieved by performing Vedic duties with precision and devotion.

Explanation

Lopamudra was a Brahmavadini, a woman sage who pursued Vedic knowledge and spiritual discourse. She is credited with composing hymns in the Rigveda, particularly in dialogue with her husband sage Agasthya.

Explanation

Persians referred to the Indus River as 'Sindhu', but due to phonetic limitations, pronounced it as 'Hindu'. Greek writers, during and after Alexander's invasion, mispronounced Sindhu as 'Indos', and referred to the land east of it as India. Thus, Greeks were the first to use 'Hindu' in reference to the people.

Explanation

The Ashrama system (Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sannyasa) is a post-Vedic development that outlines the four stages of ideal human life. This system was formalized in texts like the Manusmriti.

Explanation

In the Vedic period, Nishka originally referred to a gold ornament, often worn around the neck. In later periods, it evolved into a term for a coin, specifically a small gold unit of fixed weight.

Explanation

Nirukta is one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines) essential for understanding the Vedas. It focuses on etymology and interpretation of Vedic words. Sruti, Smriti, and Samhita are categories of sacred texts, not Vedangas.

Explanation

Surya, also known as Aditya, was revered as a heavenly deity and source of life. First appears in the Rigveda, regarded as the creator of the universe and central to sacrificial rituals.

Explanation

Vedas are composed of Samhita (hymns), Brahmana (rituals), and Aranyaka (forest texts). Nirukta is one of the six Vedangas, which are auxiliary disciplines, not a direct part of the Vedic corpus itself.