With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Parivrajaka - Renunciant and Wanderer 2. Shramana - Priest with a high status 3. Upasaka - Lay follower of Buddhism Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, 1 and 3 only. A parivrajaka is a wandering renunciant and an upasaka is a lay follower, but a shramana is an ascetic, not a high-status priest.
In the 6th century BCE many seekers left home and wandered from place to place in search of truth; they were called parivrajakas. The shramana traditions, which include Buddhism, Jainism and the Ajivikas, were ascetic movements that rejected the authority of the Vedas and the ritual role of Brahmin priests, so calling a shramana a priest of high status reverses the meaning. Lay men and women who supported the Buddhist order without becoming monks were called upasakas and upasikas.
A is wrong because pair 2 is incorrect. C is wrong because pair 2 is incorrect and pair 1 is correct. D is wrong because a shramana was an ascetic who stood outside the priestly order.
Exam tip: Parivrajaka = wanderer, Shramana = ascetic (non-Vedic), Upasaka = lay follower, Bhikkhu = monk.
Practice Questions
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- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
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- D.Kerala
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Read the full explanation →The art piece "In Memoriam" was a creation of which one of the following European painters?
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