IKS Unit 2

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Questions and Answers

Which epic is known as the encyclopedia of knowledge?

Bhagwat Puranam

Mahabharata (correct)

Ramayana

Vedas

What is the title given to Maharishi Veda Vyasa based on his classification of the Vedas?

Vedavyasa (correct)

Badarayan

Krishna

Dvaipayana

Who is known to have written the Mahabharata from dictation?

Panini

Valmiki

Ganesh (correct)

Vyasa

What type of conduct does the Mahabharata provide a moral framework for?

Conflict management Signup and view all the answers

Which title was given to Vyasa due to his physical appearance?

Krishna Signup and view all the answers

Which language's Ramayana was written by Eknath?

Marathi Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of devotion associated with the Nataraja statue?

It represents the cosmic dance of Shiva. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the day Shukla Purnima of Ashadha in relation to Vyasa?

It marks his birth Signup and view all the answers

What literary work is Valmiki credited with composing?

Ramayana Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following works is NOT attributed to Maharishi Veda Vyasa?

Panchatantra Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes Valmiki's transformation into a sage?

He was transformed through meditation and remorse. Signup and view all the answers

What was Valmiki known as before he became a sage?

A decoit Signup and view all the answers

In which classical dance form is the Nataraja statue often represented?

Bharatanatyam Signup and view all the answers

What central teaching can be derived from the Ramayana?

The importance of family and societal bonds. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Rishi Agastya play in Valmiki's transformation?

He encouraged Valmiki to meditate and seek redemption. Signup and view all the answers

What inspired Valmiki to write the Ramayana?

Narada's guidance to write about Rama's life. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event prompted Shankara's mother to grant him permission to renounce the world?

Shankara claimed a crocodile had caught him. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the stotra that Shankara composed after receiving gold coins from Goddess Lakshmi?

Kanakadhara Stotra Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following Mahavakyas was NOT taught to Shankara by Govinda Bhagwadpad?

Jiva Aham Brahma Signup and view all the answers

At what age did Shankara study all the Vedas and Vedangas?

Five Signup and view all the answers

Which personality did Shankara encounter while traveling towards Kedar?

Kumarila Bhatt Signup and view all the answers

Where was Shankara born?

Kerala Signup and view all the answers

What supernatural occurrence is associated with Shankara when he prayed for help in a difficult situation?

Goddess Lakshmi showered him with gold coins. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial response of Shankara's mother to his desire to renounce the world?

She strongly opposed the idea. Signup and view all the answers

Who were Panini's parents?

Panin and Dakshi Signup and view all the answers

Which university did Panini attend for his studies?

Takshashila University Signup and view all the answers

What are the eight angas of Ashtangayoga Philosophy according to Patanjali?

Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Patanjali's Mahabhashya?

A commentary on the Ashtadhyayi of Panini Signup and view all the answers

In what style is the Mahabhashya presented?

Conversational style of question – answer Signup and view all the answers

Which work is attributed to Patanjali in the science of medicine?

Nidan Sutras or Samvediya-Nidan Sutras Signup and view all the answers

What significant philosophical contribution is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya?

Advaita Vedanta Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Yoga' refer to according to the content?

The control of the senses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the four mathas established in India?

To establish geographical, historical, and spiritual integrity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following works did Shankara NOT compose?

Vishnu Sahasranama Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Gargi Vachaknavi in the context of feminism?

She was one of the earliest symbols of feminism. Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical school is Maitreyi associated with according to one account?

Advaita Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant aspect of Gargi's contributions to Vedic literature?

She revealed some mantras in the Rigveda through meditation. Signup and view all the answers

In which region of India was Maitreyi born?

Mithila Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Maitreyi is TRUE?

She was not married and was an Advait philosopher. Signup and view all the answers

Which text is NOT included in Shankara's written works?

Rigveda Samhita Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the ultimate cause of all action according to Yajnavalkya?

Desire Signup and view all the answers

According to the teachings of Yajnavalkya, what must one do to attain moksha?

Recognize the identity between the true self and brahman Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical school did Madhvacharya found?

Advaita Vedanta Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the atman and karma according to Yajnavalkya's teachings?

Atman is distinct from the individual ego and not subject to karma Signup and view all the answers

What role does listening and practicing the path shown in the Vedas play in achieving knowledge for women, according to the content?

It is essential for achieving the heights of knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What did Yajnavalkya's teachings primarily contribute to in the context of Indian philosophy?

A break from earlier Vedic ritualism Signup and view all the answers

When was the Yajnavalkya-smriti written in relation to the Upanishads?

More than five centuries later Signup and view all the answers

What did Madhvacharya advocate for in society based on his philosophical teachings?

A revival of traditional values Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Arts, Literature, Culture, and Scholars

Sixty-four arts (kalas) and fourteen techniques (vidyas) were important in ancient India
Kala means performing art in Sanskrit
Chausath Kalas (or Chathusashti Kalas) involved mastering traditional arts
Krishna is believed to possess these arts
After slaying Kamsa, Krishna and Balarama studied 14 sciences and 64 arts in 64 days
These arts included singing (geet), playing musical instruments (vadya), dancing (nritya), theatrics (natya), painting (alekhya), and painting faces/bodies with colors (viseshakacchedya).
These arts took two to two and a half years for a normal person to complete.

Additional Arts (page 2)

Tandula-kusuma-bali-vikara: Preparing offerings from rice and flowers
Pushpastarana: Making flower coverings for beds
Dsana-vasananga-raga: Applying preparations for teeth, cloths, and body painting
Mani-bhumika-karma: Making groundwork of jewels
Aayya-racana: Covering beds
Udaka-vadya: Playing music in water
Udaka-ghata: Splashing water
Citra-yoga: Applying mixtures of colors
Malya-grathana-vikalpa: Designing wreaths
Sekharapida-yojana: Setting coronets on heads
Nepathya-yoga: Dressing in the tiring room
Karnapatra-bhanga: Decorating ear tragus
Sugandha-yukti: Applying aromatics
Bhushana-yojana: Applying or setting ornaments
Aindra-jala: Juggling
Kaucumara: A type of art
Hasta-laghava: Sleight of hand
Citra-sakapupa-bhakshya-vikara-kriya: Preparing various kinds of food
Panaka-rasa-ragasava-yojana: Preparing palatable drinks and colored drinks
Suci-vaya-karma: Needlework and weaving
Sutra-krida: Playing with thread
Vina-damuraka-vadya: Playing on lute and small drum
Prahelika: Making and solving riddles
Durvacaka-yoga: Practicing difficult language

Further Arts, Literature, and Scholars (pages 3-5)

Pustaka-vacana: Reciting books
Natikakhyayika-darsana: Enacting short plays and anecdotes
Kavya-samasya-purana: Solving enigmatic verses
Pattika-vetra-bana-vikalpa: Designing shields, canes, and arrows
Tarku-karma: Spinning with spindles
Takshana: Carpentry
Vastu-vidya: Engineering
Raupya-ratna-pariksha: Testing silver and jewels
Dhatu-vada: Metallurgy
Mani-raga jnana: Tinging jewels
Akara jnana: Mineralogy
Vrikshayur-veda-yoga: (medicine)
Mesha-kukkuta-lavaka-yuddha-vidhi: Knowing fighting techniques
Suka-sarika-pralapana: Conversation between birds
Utsadana: Healing or cleaning
Kesa-marjana-kausala: Combing hair
Akshara-mushtika-kathana: Talking with fingers
Dharana-matrika: Use of amulets
Desa-bhasha-jnana: Knowing provincial dialects
Nirmiti-jnana: Prediction by heavenly voice
Yantra-matrika: Mechanics
Mlecchita-kutarka-vikalpa: Fabricating barbarous or foreign sophistry
Samvacya: Conversation
Manasi kavya-kriya: Composing verse
Kriya-vikalpa: Designing literature or medicine
Chalitaka-yoga: Practicing as a builder of shrines

Vedas and Branches of Knowledge (page 4)

Rig Veda
Sama Veda
Yajurveda
Atharva Veda
Upavedas: ArthaShastra, Dhanurveda, Gandharva Veda, and Ayurveda

Vedangas (page 5)

Shiksha: Phonetics and phonology of Sanskrit, Vedic hymn pronunciation
Kalpa: Ritual procedures
Vyakarana: Sanskrit grammar
Nirukta: Etymology of obscure words
Chhanda: Vedic meter
Jyotish: Astrology (Siddhanta, Medini Jyotisha, and Hora)

Nataraja (pages 6-8)

Nataraja: Depicts Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer, representing creation, preservation, and destruction
Ananda Tandava: Cosmic dance of Shiva, creation and destruction
Drum (Damaru): Sound of creation, passage of time
Flame (Agni): Destruction and transformation
Abhaya Mudra: Dispelling fear, granting blessings
Gaja Hasta: Refuge, liberation
Raised Foot: Path to salvation, liberation
Demon Apasmara: Ignorance and ego, triumph of knowledge
Circle of Fire (Prabhamandala): Cosmic cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

Additional Figures (pages 9-22)

Valmiki: Sage, author of Ramayana; credited for using a new poetic meter to describe Rama's life
Veda Vyasa: Sage, author of Mahabharata; known as the encyclopedia of knowledge, compiler of eighteen Puranas and Brahma Sutras
Panini: Grammarian, codified Sanskrit; his Ashtadhyayi is the oldest complete grammar
Patanjali: Philosopher, author of Yogasutra (Ashtanga Yoga) and Mahabhashya
Adi Shankaracharya: Philosopher, scholar, mystic, saint, poet; combining energy
Gargi Vachaknavi: Early female philosopher, scholar of the Vedas; known for wisdom shown when debating with men
Sage Maitreyi: Vedic-period philosopher, considered a great philosopher
Yajnavalkya: Sage/teacher; significant in the Upanishads, which touch on karma and rebirth; discussed true self/Atman; identified with Brahman, and the ultimate cause of action
Madhvacharya: 12th-century philosopher; formalized non-dualism, stressed path to liberation

Agastya (pages 23-24)

Lived from 1200-1500 BCE
Lived in the Danka forest
Celebrated for works including Agastya Samhita and Naadi Shastra relating to medicine and astronomy
Mentioned in Vedas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata

Aryabhata (page 24)

Ancient mathematician and astronomer who lived in the Gupta period
Contributions to mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry), astronomy (calculation of time periods (years, days, etc.), and the use of zero

Bhaskaracharya (pages 25-26)

Mathematician known for Sidhanta, Lilavathi, Bijaganita
Calculation of durations of day/night, calculations of zero and infinity

Varahamihira (page 26)

Astronomer/mathematician in the Gupta era
Improved accuracy of sine tables, defined algebraic properties of zero/negative numbers, formulated Pascal's triangle, and calculated binomial coefficients

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Arts, Literature, Culture and Scholars