Multiple Choice Question on Sanatana Dharma

Compiled by : SivaramaKrishnan T S.,

VISVAS Institute of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam
(updtd 11th November 2023) – 105 Questions

1. Consider the following statement (s) is/are correct related to the historical
literary sources of Ancient India?, I. The ‘Puranas’ serves as a source of
historical facts of ancient India. There are eighteen Puranas. They provide
historical information of various dynasties., II. Apart from the Kurukshetra
war, the Mahabharata contains various accounts of social life and religious
thinking of the people of ancient India
A. Only I
B. Only II
C. Both I and II
D. Neither I nor II

Answer: Option C Both I and II

Explanation : The Puranic literature is very vast. 18 main Puranas, 18 subsidiary
Puranas and a large number of other books. The Kurukshetra war described in
the Mahabharata is regarded generally as a historical event. Apart from the
Kurukshetra war, the Mahabharata contains various accounts of social life and
religious thinking of the people of ancient India.

2. The words Satyameva Jayate in the State Emblem adopted by the

Government of India have been taken from which Upanishad?
A. Aitareya Upanishad
B. Mundaka Upanishad
C. Adhyatma Upanishad
D. Prasna Upanishad

Answer: Option B Mundaka Upanishad

Explanation : “Truth alone triumphs” is a mantra from the ancient Indian
scripture Mundaka Upanishad.

स यमेव जयते नानत

ृ ं स येन प था वततो दे वयानः।
येना म यष
ृ यो य तकामा य तत ् स य य परमं नधानम ्॥
Satyameva Jayate nānṛtam satyena panthā vitato Deva yānaha, |
yenākramantya ṛshayo hi apta kāmā yatra tat satyasya paramam nidhānam//
Truth indeed triumphs, not falsehood. The path of the gods is strewn with
truth. It (the path) is the one traversed by the rishis who have conquered
desire. It (the path) is the supreme resting-place of truth.

Following the independence of India, it was adopted as the national motto of

India in 26 January 1950. It is inscribed in script at the base of the national
emblem.

3. The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in the

A. Chhandogyopanishad

B. Mundakopanishad

ṭ
C. Ka thopanishad

D. Kenopanishad

ṭ
Answer: Option C Ka thopanishad

Explanation : There are 108 Upanishads; but mostly prevalent now are only 10
for which Adi Shankarar, Ramanujar and Madhvacharyar have written Bhashyam

ṭ
for such 10 Upanishads. The Ka hopanishad is one among them considered as a
major Upanishad. The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is

ṭ ṭ
mentioned in the Ka hopanishad. The Ka hopanishad’s importance can be
gauged by the fact that many of its verses are found in the Bhagavad Gita,
where Bhagwan Krishna told Arjuna on the eve of Kurukshetra war.
4. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct regarding the
Dharmasastras and the Smritis? I. Texts were considered as the rules and
regulations for the general public and for the rulers., II. Dharmasastras and the
Smritis can also be termed in the modern concept as the constitution and law
books for the ancient Indian polity and society

A. Only I

B. Only II

C. Both I & II

D. None of the above

Answer: Option C Both I & II

Explanation : Dharmasastra became influential in modern colonial India history,

when they were formulated by early British colonial administrators to be the law
of the land for all (Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs) in India (other than
Muslims), Smriti, literally “that which is remembered” are a body of holy texts
usually attributed to an author, traditionally written down but constantly revised,
in contrast to Śrutis considered authorless, that were transmitted verbally across
the generations and fixed.

ṭ
5. Who established the five Ma has (monasteries) Sringeri, Badrinath, Dwarka,
Puri and Kanchipuram?

A. Ramanuj

B. Ashoka

C. Shankaracharya

D. Madhav Vidhyaranya

Answer: Option C Shankaracharya

Explanation : Adi Shankaracharya wished to grace the Indian subcontinent by

establishing five major maṭhas in the four corners of the peninsula – north
(Jyothirmaṭh), south (Sringeri, Kanchi ), east (Puri), west (Dwaraka) – to
propagate the philosophy of advaita vedanta and to promulgate the concept of
Sanatana dharma, thus establishing dharma or righteousness, as the way of life
of people. The fifith Maṭh, viz., Kanchi Maṭh was established by him 482BC.
6. Which Veda deals with magical hymn or charms of spell?

A. Rigveda

B. Samveda

C. Atharvaveda

D. Yajurveda

Answer: Option C Atharvaveda

Explanation : Atharvaveda the Veda of Magic formulas, it is a mixture of hymns,

chants, spells, and prayers.

7. Giving Charity to a Hospital is _______________

A. Akarma (Spiritual)

B. Vikarma (Sinful)

C. Karma (Pious)

D. Neither any

Answer: Option C Karma (Pious)

Explanation : Karma, Akarma, and Vikarma are three Sanskrit terms that are used
to describe different types of actions and their consequences.

Karma refers to actions that are performed in accordance with one’s prescribed duties as
mentioned in the revealed scriptures in order to be recognized and achieve some higher status
of life in this world or in heaven,
Akarma refers to actions that free one from the cycle of birth and death 1. All activities that
are performed without material expectations but just to please the Supreme Being
have no reactions and hence are akarma.
Vikarma refers to actions that are performed through the misuse of one’s freedom and that
direct one to the lower life forms 1. These are prohibited or sinful activities.

In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna explains that of these three types of action, that
which frees one from the bondage to karma is preferred by intelligent men. Ordinary
men wish to perform good work in order to be recognized and achieve some higher status of
life in this world or in heaven, but more advanced men want to be free altogether from the
actions and reactions of work 1.

8. The Veda that contains charms and spells toward off evils and diseases is

A. Rigveda

B. Atharvaveda

C. Samaveda

D. Yajurveda

Answer: Option B Atharvaveda

Explanation : Artharvaveda contains mantras on three topics – Gnana

(Knowledge), Karma (deeds), and Upasana (invocation). It is important from the
point of view of knowing the history of science in India. It is also collection of
spells and charms which are popular among the people. This Veda throws light
on the beliefs of the people some of the Mantras are meant to bring success in
life, while some where used to ward off evil spirits responsible for disease and
sufferings. This Veda believed to be a later composition .

9. Who wrote the famous Kural which in verse form / couplet form deals with
many aspects of life and Sanatana Dharma?

A. Thiruvalluvar
B. Avvaiyar
C. Shankaracharya
D. Rishi Agastya

Answer: Option A Thiruvalluvar

Explanation : Thiruvalluvar, also known as Valluvar, was a celebrated Tamil poet

and philosopher. He is best known for authoring Thirukkuṛaḷ, a collection of
couplets on life and Sanatana Dharma – divided in three parts – virtues (ethics)
dharmaa, political and economical matters - artha, and love - kaama. The text is
considered as one of the finest works of the Tamil literature.
10. The system of philosophy with which the name of Kapila is prominently
associated is

A. Purva Mimamsa

B. Sankhya

C. Nyaya

D. Uttara Mimamsa

Answer: Option B Sankhya

Explanation : Sage Kapila is traditionally credited as a founder of the Sankhya

school. Kapila appears in Rigveda, but context suggests that the word means
“reddish-brown color”.

Following are the shlokas from Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam:

maharshih kapilāchāryah kṛtagño medinīpatihi |

tripadas-tridaśādhyaksho mahāśṛngah kṛtāntakṛt || 57 ||

( 531 - 537 ; 534 – 541 )

sanāt sanātanatamah kapilah kapi-ravyayaha * |

svastidas svastikṛt-svasti svastibhuk svasti dakshiṇaha || 96 ||

( 896 - 905 ; 897 - 905 )

11. Which of the following Vedas is not a part of Vedatrayi?

A. Rig Veda

B. Yajur Veda

C. Sama Veda

D. Atharva Veda

Answer: Option D Atharva Veda

Explanation : This first three Vedas are jointly called Veda-trayi i.e. trio of
Vedas. The Atharva Veda is the “knowledge storehouse of atharvāṇas, the
procedures for everyday life”. The text is the fourth Veda, but has been a late
addition to the Vedic scriptures of Sanatana Dharma .

12. Which is known as book of Melody?

A. Rigveda

B. Samaveda

C. Atharvaveda

D. Yajurveda

Answer: Option B Samaveda

Explanation : The Samaveda is the Veda of melodies and chants. It is an ancient

Vedic Sanskrit text, and part of the scriptures of Hinduism. One of the four
Vedas, it is a liturgical text which consists of 1,549 verses. All but 75 verses
have been taken from the Rigveda. Following are the shlokas from Sri Vishnu
Sahasranamam:

trisāmā sāmagas sāma nirvāṇam bheshajam bhishak |

sanyāsakṛch chhamaś śānto nishṭhā śāntif parāyaṇam| 62 ||

( 574 - 585 ; 581 - 592 )

ātmayonis svayamjāto vaikhānas sāmagāyanaha |

devakīnandanas srashṭā kshitīśaf pāpanāśanaha || 106 || ( 985 - 992 )

13. The Veda, which is partly a prose work, is

A. Atharvaveda

B. Samaveda

C. Yajurveda

D. Rigveda

Answer: Option C Yajurveda

Explanation : The Yajurveda is the Veda primarily of prose mantras for worship
rituals. An ancient Vedic Sanskrit text, it is a compilation of ritual offering
formulas that were said by a priest while an individual performed ritual actions
such as those before the yajna fire.

14. Which statement (s) is/are correct about Ancient Indian literature? ,I.
Bramhanas and Aryankaas followed by philosophical doctrines of Upanishads, II.
Bramhanas are detailed explanation about Vedic literature and instructions

A. Only I
B. Only II

C. Both I & II

D. Neither I nor II

Answer: Option C Both I & II

Explanation : The Bramhanas are prose texts. It describes about the meaning of
Vedic hymns, their applications, and stories of their origins in details. Besides, it
also explains the details about rituals and philosophies. Aranyakas and
Upanishads exemplify philosophical meditations of the hermits and ascetics on
soul, God, world, etc. These are partly included in the Bramhanas or attached,
and partly exist as separate works. They, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, and
the Upanishads are attached to one or the other of the four Vedas.

15. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Vedic
literature I. Vedic literature, mainly the four Vedas i.e. Rig, Yajur, Sama and
Atharva Vedas, are entirely in Sanskrt language, which can be called the Vedic
language.,II. The vocabulary of Vedic literature contains a wide range of
meaning and at times different in grammatical usages

A. Only I

B. Only II

C. Both I & II

D. None of the above

Answer: Option C Both I & II

Explanation : The term Vedic literature means the four Vedas in their Samhita
and the allied literature based on or derived from the Vedas. We classify the
Vedic literature into the following categories: The four Vedas i.e. the Rig, Sama,
Yajur and Atharva and their Samhitas. The Bramhanas are attached to each
Samhita.

16. Which of the following deals with concepts about origin of universe, death
and birth, material and spiritual world?

A. Rig Vedas

B. Atharva Vedas

C. Aryankas

D. Upanishads

Answer: Option D Upanishads

Explanation : Upanishads- deals with concepts about origin of universe, death
and birth, material and spiritual world, which are in poetry and prose, as
expressions of philosophical concepts. Earliest Upanishads are Brihad-Aryanaka
and Chandogya. They explain the highest thoughts described that can be
realised by a man, according to ancient sages, in simple and beautiful imagery.

17. The major problem of life is __________________

A. Birth, Death, Old Age and Disease

B. Illiteracy and Unemployment

C. Poverty

Answer: Option A. Birth, Death, Old Age and Disease

There are four basic kinds of suffering—birth, old age,

Explanation :
disease and death. No scientist or philosopher has ever been able
to make a solution to these four miserable conditions. The invalidity
of old age known as jara is figuratively explained here as the
daughter of Time.
Intelligent persons who are endeavoring for liberation from old age
and death take refuge in Me in devotional service. They are actually
Brahman because they entirely know everything about
transcendental and fruitive activities. Birth, death, old age and
diseases affect this material body, but not the spiritual body. There is
no birth, death, old age and disease for the spiritual body, so one
who attains a spiritual body, becomes one of the associates of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead and engages in eternal devotional
service, is really liberated. (Bhagavad Geeta 7:29)

Following are the verses from Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam:

pramāṇam prāṇanilayaf prāṇabhṛt * prāṇajīvanaha |

tat-tvam tat-tvavi-dekātmā janmamṛtyujarātigaha || 103 ||

na vāsudeva bhaktānā-maśubham vidyate kvachit.. |

janma mṛtyu jarā vyādhi bhayam naivōpajāyate * || 11 ||
18. Who among the following occupied the supreme position in the Later Vedic
pantheon?

A. Indra

B. Prajapati

C. Agni

D. Varuna

Answer: Option B Prajapati

Explanation : In the Later Vedic period, Prajapati was the important diety
occupied the supreme position. Prajapatis were elected democratically. First such
elected Prajapati was Lord Vishnu. Following are the shlokas from Sri Vishnu
Sahasranamam:

īśānaf prāṇadaf prāṇo jyeshṭhaś śreshṭhaf prajāpatihi |

hiraṇyagarbho bhūgarbho mādhavo madhusūdanaha || 8 || ( 64 -73; 65- 74 )

marīchir-damano hamsas suparṇo bhujagottamaha |

hiraṇyanābhas sutapāf padmanābhaf prajāpatihi ||21|| ( 189 - 197 ; 191 - 199)

Lord Vishnu followed by Lord Bràhma and Lord Shankar. There were total 26
Prajapatis mentioned in Vedas.

19. Humans are blessed with ______________

A. Seventh Sense

B. Imagination

C. Higher Intelligence

Answer: Option C Higher Intelligence

20. Where is the longest corridor of the temple?

A. Shreerangam

B. Madurai

C. Tiruchendur

D. Rameshwaram
Answer: Option D Rameshwaram

Explanation : The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in
India. The temple is located in Rameswaram considered a holy pilgrimage site
for Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas.

21. Which is a treatise on the science of governance?

A. Mahabharata

B. Ramayana

C. Kautilya’s Arthashastra

D. Chandrawati Ramayana

Answer: Option C Kautilya’s Arthashastra

Explanation : The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft,

economic policy and military strategy, written in Sanskrit. Likely to be the work
of several authors over centuries, Kautilya, also identified as Vishnugupta and
Chanakya, is traditionally credited as the author of the text.

22. Which of the following hymns in Sanatana Dharma is known as

Apaurusheya?

A. Vedas

B. Bramha Sutras

C. Puranas
D. Itihasas

Answer: Option A Vedas

Explanation : Apaurusheya shabda (“impersonal words, authorless”) is an

extension of apaurusheya which refers to the Vedas in Sanatana Dharma.
Apaurusheya is a central concept in the Vedanta and Mimamsa schools of
Sanatana Dharma.

23. Upanishads are books on

A. Politics

B. Philosophy

C. Medicine

D. Social life

Answer: Option B Philosophy

Explanation: The Upanishads are a part of the Vedas and are ancient Sanskrit
hymns that contain the central philosophical concepts and ideas of Sanatana
Dharma, some of which are shared with Buddhism, and Jainism. The Upanishads
are commonly referred to as Vedanta in the Sanatana Dharma.

24. Which one of the following is not correctly matched?

A. Kali yuga – 432,000 years

B. Dwapara yuga – 864,000 years

C. Tretha yuga : 1,296,000 years

D. Krta yuga : 4,320,000 years

Answer: Option D

Explanation : Krta yuga is 4 times of Kali yuga. So it will have 1,728,000 years
and not 4,320,000 years. 4,320,000 years will be the total of all 4 yugas which
is known as chatur yuga or mahaa yuga.

25. Sanatana Dharma is :

a. The Eternal Righteous Duties

b. a monolithic religion

c. only practiced in India

d. a religion that began in the first centuries of the Common Era

Answer: Option A The Eternal Righteous Duties

Explanation : ‘Sanatana’ means eternal and ‘Dharma’ means righteous duty.
Sanatana-Dharma is eternal, it has always existed, and it will always exist.
Sanatana-Dharma is re-established at the beginning of each cycle of creation
and annihilation.

26. Which of these describes atman (that is jeevaatmaa)?

a. a way of being in the world

b. one's eternal soul or self

c. the ritual of death

d. the karma each person takes on

Answer: Option B one's eternal soul or self

Explanation : We are eternal, we have always existed (reincarnation). We exist

now, we existed before this body, and we will continue to exist after this body .

27. The repeating pattern of rebirth-death-rebirth continues because of

a. one's karma determining an individual's destiny

b. God

c. moksha

d. trimurti

Answer: Option A one's karma determining an individual's destiny

Explanation : The repeating pattern of rebirth-death-rebirth continues due to

one's karma determining an individual's destiny.

28. The essential realization that leads to moksha is _________.

a. one's dharma

b. one's karma determining an individual's destiny

c. when there is a proper relationship between God and atman (jeeva) through
love to God (i.e., Bhakti or devotion)

d. the oneness of God and nature

Answer: Option C when there is a proper relationship between God and atman
(jeeva) through love to God (i.e., Bhakti or devotion)

Explanation : The essential realization that leads to moksha when there is a

proper relationship between God and atman (jeeva). Everyone can be saved
from the miseries of material existence and lead to moksha. For this, they
should have proper relationship between God and atman (jeeva).

Lord Krishna, the most merciful, the real God, says in Bhagavad Gita.

“Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage
unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you
are My very dear friend. Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto
Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” (Lord Krishna,
Bhagavad-Gita 18.65-66)

29. Which of the four Purusha Arthas indicates salvation or getting rid off the
cycle of rebirth-death-rebirth?

a. Dharma Artha

b. Artha Artha

c. Kama Artha,

d. Moksha Artha

Answer: Option D Moksha Artha

Explanation : Dharma Artha means Righteous Deeds; Artha Artha means

accumulation of material wealth and worldly success; Kama Artha, means
pleasure of several kinds; Moksha Artha means getting rid of from the cycle of
rebirth-death-rebirth and get sheltered in the abode of Bhagwan Krishna –
Bhagwan Vishnu - Sriman Narayana

30 Sanatana Dharma presuppose the authority of what texts?

a. the Upanishads

b. the Ramayana

c. the Mokshas

d. the Vedas

Answer: Option D the Vedas

Explanation : The Vedas, Vedic scriptures are proven to be the oldest documents
on the planet, and they originate from God, Bhagwan Vishnu, Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna, the most merciful, the real God, says in Bhagavad Gita.

“I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grandsire. I
am the object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable om. I am also the Ṛg,
the Sama and the Yajur Vedas.” (Bhagwan Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.17)

“This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the
purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by
realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully
performed.” (Bhagwan Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.2)

“I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge

and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler
of Vedānta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.” (Bhagwan Krishna, Bhagavad-
Gita 15.15)

31. How many primary parts / Sections / divisions are there in each Veda ?

a. 4

b. 6

c. 8

d. 1

Answer: Option A 4

Explanation : The 4 Vedas – (rig, yajur, saama, Atharva) have more than 20,000
verses. Vedas have four Sections: 1st Section – Samhitai, 2nd Section –
Braamhanam, 3rd Section – Aaranyakam and 4th Section is Upanishads.

Upanishads are 108 – more than 4000 verses. Mostly referred ones, for which
Bhagvad Paathar Shri Adi Shankarar, and others have written Bhaashyams
(purports) are : Ishaavaasya upanishad, kena upanishad, kaṭha upanishad,
prashna upanishad, mundaka upanishad, maandookya upanishad, taittreeya
upanishad, aitareya upanishad, shaantokya upanishad, brhadhaaranya
Upanishad.

Īśā (IsUp), Yajurveda.( śukla)

Kena (KeUp), Samaveda
Kaṭha (KaUp), Yajurveda.(Krshna)
Praṣna (PrUp), Atharvaveda
Muṇḍaka (MuUp), Atharvaveda
Māṇḍūkya (MaUp), Atharvaveda
Taittirīya (TaiUp), Yajurveda.(Krshna).
Aitareya, (AiUp), Rigveda
Chāndogya (ChhUp), Samaveda
Bṛhadāraṇyaka (BṛUp), Yajurveda.( śukla)

32. The Laws of Manu contain which of these?

a. the philosophic writings of Manu

b. the only treatise on the Vedas

c. legal and moral treatises

d. the Hindu creation myth

Answer: Option C legal and moral treatises

Explanation : The Laws of Manu contain legal and moral treatises for everyone.

33. Did Mahatma Gandhi strongly rely on Sanatana Dharma ?

a. Yes

b. No

Answer: Option A Yes - Mahatma Gandhi strongly relied on Sanatana Dharma

Explanation : Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation India, was a strong

believer in Hinduism, which he called the ‘Sanatana Dharma’ (the eternal
religion). He wrote, “Hinduism of my conception is no narrow creed. It is a grand
evolutionary process as ancient as time. Then, he quotes a verse from
Manusmriti, which translates as follows:

“Know that the true religion is one which the wise and the good and those who
are ever free from passion and hate follow and which appeals to heart”. (CWMG,
vol.75, p.375).

According to him, a Hindu is one who believes in God ; Immortality of the soul ;
Transmigration ; Law of Karma; Moksha And one who practises: Truth and
Ahimsa in daily life; Cow -protection in its widest sense;

Gandhi had his own way of interpreting the ancient texts and scriptures.

He wrote, “non-violence is common to all religions, but it has found the highest
expression and application in Hinduism, the Sanatana Dharma. I do not regard
Jainism and Buddhism as separate from Hinduism” (Young India, 20-10-1927).

The influence of Bhagavad Gita on Gandhi was enormous. “I have studied Bible,
Koran, Zend Avesta, and other scriptures of the world with the same reverence
that I have given to Gita. They have illuminated many a passage in the Gita.”

‘I run to mother Gita whenever I find myself in difficulties and up to now she
has never failed to comfort me’ (Young India, 13-11-1930). He called Gita his
spiritual dictionary, for it never failed him in distress, and he found it was free
from sectarianism and dogma, and had universal appeal (Harijan, 16-2-39).

The characters in the epics did have influence on him. Harishchandra captures
his heart, for his principled effort to keep his word. Gandhi asks why not
everyone should be truthful like Harishchandra. He also quotes the examples of
Rama and Pandavas, who kept their word by undergoing all difficulties. He cites
the examples of Prahlad, Sudama, Dhruva, and Shravana, who gave up all
worldly comforts for the sake of virtuous principles.
Of Mahabharata, Gandhi says that it is like a rich diamond mine, from which the
deeper you dig the more diamonds you find. He was of the opinion that the
burden of Ramayana and Mahabharata is to teach Ahimsa (letter to P.D. Gupta,
19.11.26). He has repeatedly said that both Ramayana and Mahabharata tell the
story of the victory of the good over evil.

In the issue of Navajivan, dated 6.2.1921, Gandhi vehemently declared that he

is a Sanatani Hindu, or a Hindu as ordained by Scriptures. At that time, a
movement against orthodox Hinduism was building up through Brahmo Samaj
and Prarthana Samaj; Gandhi had no hesitation in declaring that he is a
‘Sanatani Hindu’. He states that he possesses in some measure the qualities
described in Narsimha Mehta’s song, ‘Vaishnavajana’, and strives to perfect and
cultivate the qualities of the Vaishnava. So, he says, “I do not therefore, hesitate
to call myself with all firmness, though humbly, a strict Sanatani Hindu and a
Vaishnava.”

Gandhi did not formally study the Upanishads, but many Upanishads were under
his regular study and reference. In the Ashram prayers, part of Isa Upanishad,
which, when translated, reads as follows, was recited everyday. “Enveloped by
the Consciousness is everything whatever that fluctuates in the universe.
Therefore, enjoy with renunciation and do not covet what is due to others.”

The Bruhadaranyaka Upanishad gave him the concept of supremacy of Dharma

over the Khshatra, the temporal power, and even the weak can overcome the
strong, with the help of Satya, which is based on Dharma. Taittariya Aranyaka,
which he refers, says that everything is founded on Dharma, the highest good
that drives away evil. And Satya and Ahimsa are traditionally identified with
Dharma, the cosmic law that governs the human conduct. Kenopanishad also
had a profound influence on him.

34. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Arjuna's charioteer, Lord Krishna, advises him to join
the battle without a desire for the results of the action, for it is Arjuna's
_________ as a warrior to fight.

a. dharma

b. karma

c. moksha

d. samsara

Answer: Option A dharma

Explanation : Arjuna being a Kshatriya, fighting upto the end to defeat the
wicked enemies is his righteous duty and responsibility (dharma).

35. What is the name for lines of poetry by the ninth-century poet Andaal, a
devotee-poet of Bhagwan Krishna, for capturing in verse her experiences of the
divine?
a. sacred knowledge

b. secret sorrows

c. secret garden

d. Thiruppaavai, Naachiyaar Thirumozhi

Answer: Option D Thiruppaavai, Naachiyaar Thirumozhi

Explanation : Thiruppaavai, Naachiyaar Thirumozhi

36. Which text includes instructions on how to correctly conduct the ritual of
cremation so the deceased can journey to his or her ancestors?

a. Upanishads

b. Itihaasaas

c. Rig-Veda and Garuda Puraanam

d. the Yoga Sutra

Answer: Option C Rig-Veda and Garuda Puraanam

Explanation : Rig-Veda and Garuda Puraanam

37. Who created the school of philosophy called Advaita Vedanta?

a. Adi Shankara

b. Krishna

c. Shiva

d. Gandhi

Answer: Option A Adi Shankara

Explanation : Adi Shankara; three leading Vedanta (philosophical schools)

of Sanatana Dharma are, Advaita (non-dualism), Visishtadvaita (qualified non-

dualism), and Dvaita (dualism) have learned treatises written by the leading
proponents and teachers of these schools, commenting on the aphorisms found
in this text. The commentaries on Brahmasutra of these three Acharyas
(teachers) - Adi Shankara for Advaita, Ramanujar for Visishtadvaita and
Madhvacharyar for Dvaita are the foundation of philosophy of these schools.

38. The meaning and use of Om is explained is explained by _________.

a. the Vedas

b. Upanishads
c. the Sutras

d. the Ramayana

Answer: Option B Upanishads

Explanation : The meaning and use of Om is explained by Upanishads. The

Mandukya Upanishad is attributed to the revelation of a great sage called
Manduka. That which pertains to Manduka is Mandukya. The Upanishad or the
secret teaching revealed to the sage Manduka is the Mandukya Upanishad. It
commences with a solemn declaration:

Om ityetadaksharam idam sarvam, tasyopavyakhyanam bhutam bhavat

bhavishyaditi sarvam omkara eva.

The Imperishable is OM, and it is 'all this'. Everything else, whatever be of the
past, present or future, is like an exposition, explanation or commentary on the
meaning of this great Truth – the Imperishable Om.

Sarvam Omkara eva: Everything is Om, indeed. This is how the Upanishad
begins. Om itiyetadaksharam idam sarvam: All this, whatever is visible,
whatever is cognizable, whatever can come within the purview of sense-
perception, inference or verbal testimony, whatever can be comprehended under
the single term, creation – all this is Om. Bhagwan Krishna declares in Bhagvad
Gita “ I am OM among the syllables”.

Following are the verses from Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam.

vaikuṇṭhaf purushaf prāṇaf prāṇadaf praṇavaf * pṛthuhu |

hiraṇyagarbhaś śatrughno vyāpto vāyu-radhokshajaha ||44 ( 405 - 415;
406 - 416 )

ādhāranilayo ऽdhātā* pushpahāsaf prajāgaraha |

ūrdhvagas satpathāchāraf prāṇadaf praṇavaf paṇaha || 102 ( 950 - 958 )

39. In which holy verses texts are deities portrayed as intimately involved in the
affairs of humans, sometimes appearing to devotees to deliver rewards,
punishments, or warnings?

a. the Puranas

b. the Vedas

c. the Upanishads

d. the Ramayana

Answer: Option A the Puranas

Explanation : the Puranas are the holy verses texts where deities are portrayed
as intimately involved in the affairs of humans, sometimes appearing to
devotees to deliver rewards, punishments, or warnings

40. Sanatana Dharma boasts of no single creed, ruling body, founder, founding
narrative, or sacred text.

a. True

b. False

Answer: True - Sanatana Dharma does not boast of single creed, ruling body,
founder, founding narrative, or sacred text.

41. In Sanatana Dharma there is no contradiction in worshiping many deities

while asserting the oneness of God.

a. True

b. False

Answer: True - In Sanatana Dharma there is no contradiction in worshiping

many deities while asserting the oneness of God.

42. Sanatana Dharma or Sanatana Hinduism is a monotheistic religion.

a. True

b. False

Answer: False - Sanatana Hinduism is not a monotheistic religion

43. Atman is one's eternal soul or self.

a. True

b. False

Answer: True - Atman is one's eternal soul or self

44. Ultimate liberation from samsara is known as Bramhan.

a. True

b. False

Answer: False - Ultimate liberation from samsara is not known as Bramhan

Ultimate liberation from samsara is known as Moksha or salvation

45. The most common form of devotion is called bhakti, devotion to a particular
deity.

a. True

b. False

Answer: True - The most common form of devotion is called bhakti, devotion to
a particular deity.

46. Sanatana Dharma followers (Hindus) revere the Vedas, even though the
majority of adherents are ignorant of their content.

a. True

b. False

Answer: True – We revere the Vedas, even though the majority of adherents are
ignorant of their content.

47. Arjuna is advised to throw down his sword as a signal of nonviolence, at the
battle at Kurukshetra.

a. True

b. False

Answer: False. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Arjuna's charioteer Bhagwan Krshna

advises him to join the battle without a desire for the results of the action.
Because, Arjuna being a Kshatriya, fighting to the end to defeat the wicked
enemies is his righteous duty and responsibility (dharma)

48. Krishna teaches about karma-marga in the Bhagavad Gita.

a. True

b. False

Answer: True. Bhagwan Krishna teaches about karma-marga in the Bhagavad

Gita along with other margas Gnaana marga and bhakti marga.

49. The Sanatana Dharma followers (Hindus) view of bhakti is that to love one of
the finite manifestations of God and is to love the infinite God in everything .

a. True

b. False

Answer: True. The Sanatana Dharma followers (Hindus) view of bhakti is that to
love one of the finite manifestations of God and is to love the infinite God in
everything .
50. Sanatana Dharma followers (Hindus) agree that the cosmos formed itself
before time began.

a. True

b. False

Answer: False.

51. The Bhagavad Gita is contained within the Mahabharata.

a. True

b. False

Answer: True. The Bhagavad Gita is in the Mahabharata

52. In Ramayana, Rama is the incarnation of the God Vishnu.

a. True

b. False

Answer: True

53. The Dharma for Kali Yuga is __________________

A. Chanting the Holy Names of Bhagwan

B. Temple Worship

C. Meditation

Answer: A. Chanting the Holy Names of Bhagwan

Explanation: The Vedic scriptures cite the indisputable authority to establish the
unique spiritual power of chanting Holy Names of Bhagwan

harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam

kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha

“In this Age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for
self-realization than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting
the holy name of Lord Hari [Krishna].” – Brihan-naradiya Purana 38.126

Chanting of Bhagwan’s names offers spiritual protection from the evil age in
which we now find ourselves. Additionally, it is the best possible resource for
those who seek genuine spiritual enrichment.

The Vedas are emphatic about this point, as indicated in the Kali-santarana
Upanishad (part of the Krishna Yajurveda):1 When the sage Narada asked the
creator of this universe, Lord Brahma, how to navigate the turbulent waters of
Kali-yuga, our current age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the answer was immediate
and definitive: “Chant the holy names of the Lord. This is the only destroyer of
sins in Kali-yuga. No other remedy can be found in any part of the Vedic
literature.”

“In this way,” Brahma concluded, “the illusory coverings of the soul (jivatma),
which are composed of sixteen constituents, are automatically destroyed. At
that time, Lord Krishna fully manifests before the jiva, like the rays of the sun
upon the removal of a cloud.” (verses 5–7)2

That is to say, the Lord is properly served only with purified mind and senses,
and the only way to attain such purification is through chanting His names. This
is because the Lord is absolute, and so He and His name are identical. Thus, by
chanting His name one directly associates with God Himself, and the consequent
purification allows one further progress in spiritual life, ultimately resulting in
love of God.

54. Worship of the deity or a spiritual teacher at a home shrine is one of the
most significant ways in which Sanatana Dharma followers (Hindus) express
their devotion.

a. True

b. False

Answer: True

55. Rama was

a. A prince
b. A priest
c. A sage
d. A philosopher

Rama was

Answer: a. A prince.

56. The word karma refers to

 a. Bad things that happen
b. The fruit of action
c. The result of previous mistakes
d. Action

Answer: d. Action

57. ParaBramhan is

a. The God of Time

b. The God of Creation
c. The all-pervasive one supreme consciousness who is above
time and creation
d. A priest

ParaBramhan is

answer is: c. The all-pervasive one supreme consciousness who is

above time and creation.

Following are verses from Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam:

paramam yo mahattejaf paramam yo mahattapaha |

paramam yo mahad-bramha paramam yaf parāyaṇam | 15 in

Poorvaangam||

bramhaṇyo bramhakṛd bramhā bramha bramhavivardhanaha |

bramhavid brāmhaṇo bramhī bramhagño brāmhaṇapriyaha || 71 ||

58. There are total _______________ lakhs species (bodies) available as

choice for the soul to occupy.

a) 6
b) 12
c) 18
d) 84

answer is: d. 84 Means 84,00,000 (8.4 Millions)

Number of Species (bodies) that the soul can occupy. The below and all other
verses in the Vedic scriptures demonstrates :

"jalaja nava lakshani, sthavara laksha-vimshati, krimayo rudra-sankhyakah,

pakshinam dasha-lakshanam, trinshal-lakshani pashavah, chatur lakshani
manavah" (Padma Purana)

Jalaja (Water based life forms) - 0.9 million

Sthavara (Immobile implying plants and trees) - 2.0 million

Krimayo (Reptiles) - 1.1 million

Pakshinam (Birds) - 1.0 million

Pashavah (animals) - 3.0 million

Manavah (human-like) - 0.4 million

Total 8.4 million species of living beings.

A soul occupies a particular body, exactly based on its desires and deserves.

“The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life, enjoying the
three modes of nature. This is due to his association with that material nature.
Thus he meets with good and evil among various species.” (Lord Krishna,
Bhagavad-Gita 13.22)

59. Who Is The Origin Of All Living Beings?

a. Nature
b. the leaders
c. forefathers
d. Bhagwan, the Parabramham

answer is: d. Bhagwan, the ParaBramham

Bhagwan Shri Krishna says in Bhagvad Geeta,

"Furthermore, O Arjuna, I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no

being - moving or nonmoving - that can exist without Me.“ (Lord Krishna,
Bhagavad-Gita 10.39) (bheejamavyayam)
"It should be understood that all species of life, O son of Kuntī, are made
possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed-giving father."
(Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.4)

60. Which of the following is considered as one of the eighteen puranas

a. Bhagavatam
b. Ramayanam
c. Bhaja Govindam
d. Mahabharatam

answer is: a. Bhagavatam

Explanation: Puranas - All 18 Maha Puranas are: Brahma Purana, Padma Purana,
Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Naradiya Purana, Markandeya
Purana, Agni Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Brahmavaivarta Purana, Linga Purana,
Varaha Purana, Skanda Purana, Vamana Purana, Kurma Purana, Matsya Purana,
Garuda Purana, Brahmanda Purana.

61. In the Ramayana Rama went to the forest for fourteen years
__________.

a. To kill demons
b. To protect sages
c. Because he was banished
d. To serve the gods

answer is: c. Because he was banished

62. Sanatana Dharma Followers (Hindus) will perform their own last rites
while still living

a. When they take sannyasi vows and become a monk

b. When they are widowed
c. As an act of worship for Yama, Lord of the Dead
 d. To act as a guide to help a deceased loved one cross over to
a favorable rebirth

answer is: a. When they take sannyasi vows and become a monk

63. How old is the Sanatana Dharma

a. 5000 years.
b. 10000 years
c. one lakh crore year (one trillion)

d. 155.52 lakh crore (trillion) years

answer is: d. 155.52 lakh crore (trillion) years

Explanation: In Sanskrit, the oldest language in the world, ‘Sanatana’ means

eternal and ‘Dharma’ means righteous duty. Sanatana-Dharma is eternal, it has
always existed, and it will always exist. The religion is re-established at the
beginning of each cycle of creation and annihilation. The Lord Bramha’s life span
is 100 years of 360 days each. Each day has day-time (equal to 1000
mahaayugaas) and night-time (equal to 1000 mahaayugaas) thus totaling 2000
chatur yugaas per day. One chatur yugaa is having 4 yugaas, the krta yugaa or
satya yugaa, tretaa yugaa, dwaapara yugaa and kali yugaa. Kali yuga has the
span of 432,000 years, dwaapara yugaa is 864,000 years, tretaa yuga is
1,296,000 years and krta yugaa is 1,728,000 years. Thus one chatur yugaa or
one mahaa yugaa has the span of 4,320,000 years (4.32 million years). So,
Bramhaa’s one full day is 8,640,000,000 years (8.64 billion years or 864 crore
years). (1 billion years is 100 crores years). That is 4.32 billion years ( 432 crore
years ) day-time and 4.32 billion years ( 432 crore years ) night-time of his one
day. Our holy verses say that the three worlds (bhurloka, bhuvarloka and
suvarloka) exists during the full day-time of Bramha’s one day of 1000 chatur
yugaas and get submerged / annihilated into the Supreme at the end of 1000
chaturyugaas. Again, Bhagwan re-creates these worlds on the onset of
Brahmhas next new day. (Scientists put the age of earth estimated to be 4.54
billion years old, plus or minus about 50 million years. Scientists have scoured
the Earth searching for the oldest rocks to radiometrically date. In north western
Canada, they discovered rocks about 4.03 billion years old. This 4.54 billion
years – roughly matching with the 4.32 billion years stated in our holy verses as
above). Thus, Bramhaa’s one year is 3.11 trillion years. So, Bramhaa’s full time
life span of 100 years is 311,040,000,000 years (311.04 trillion years). One
trillion years means one lakh crore years. Now, Lord Bramhaaji has completed
50 years and is in the 1st day of 51st year (adya shri bramhanaha dvideeya
pararththey) completing 155.52 trillion years. So, in the current cycle of present
Lord Bramhaaji, it is established 155.52 trillion years ago at creation. This is the
current age of the present Lord Bramhaaji, based on the scriptures of Sanatana-
Dharma, also known as the Vedic scriptures. Thus, the age of Sanatana-Dharma
is of about 155.52 trillion years.

“You are the supreme primal objective. You are the ultimate resting place of all
this universe. You are inexhaustible, and You are the oldest. You are the
maintainer of the eternal religion, the Personality of Godhead. This is my
opinion.” (Arjuna to Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 11.18)

A shloka from Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam:

sanāt sanātanatamah kapilah kapi-ravyayaha * |

svastidas svastikṛt-svasti svastibhuk svasti dakshiṇaha || 96 || ( 896 - 905 ;

897 - 905 )

64. In the Bhagavad Gita, taking up the path of devotion one

a. Offers up the fruits of one’s action to God and recites the

names of Bhagwan Krishna always
b. Performs worship three times a day
c. feeds poor
d. Studies the scriptures with a love in one’s heart

answer is: a. Offers up the fruits of one’s action to God and recites the names of
Bhagwan Krishna always

65. The size of the atman (jeevatma or soul) is:

a. an inch
b. a foot
c. 1/10,000th of the tip of the hair

d. size of the full-stop

answer is: c. The size of the soul is 1/10,000th of the tip of the
hair

Explanation : The size of the soul is one ten - thousandth part of

the tip of the hair. It means that if we take the tip of the hair and
cut it into one ten - thousand parts then that extremely tiny part is
the actual size of the soul.
 Svetasvatara Upanisad (5.9) confirms the size of the soul:

balagra – sata – bhagasya satadha kalpitasya ca

bhago jivah sa vijneyah sa canantyaya kalpate

“When the upper point of a hair is divided into one hundred parts
and again each of such parts is further divided into one hundred
parts, each such part is the measurement of the dimension of the
spirit soul.”

Although the soul is extremely tiny but it is extraordinarily powerful.

The soul is situated within the region of the heart and is the source
and cause of consciousness and all the energies. Whatever the pains
and pleasures we experience is due to the presence of the soul in the
body. When the soul leaves the body, the consciousness goes away
and the body falls dead. Mundaka Upanisad (3.1.9) explains that the
soul floats in five kinds of air (prana, apana, vyana,samana and
udana). Although the soul is very pure but due to material
contamination it is not able to exhibit its spiritual qualities. So, the
soul has to be purified from these five types of material airs so that
it can exhibit its original spiritual nature.

66. As per Sanatana Dharma, when one dies in the mode of ignorance (tamo
guna),

a. he takes birth in the animal kingdom.

b. he attains mukti
c. he takes birth in pious people families
d. he goes to parama patam

answer is: a. he takes birth in the animal kingdom.

Explanation: “When one dies in the mode of goodness, he attains to the pure
higher planets of the great sages. When one dies in the mode of passion, he
takes birth among those engaged in fruitive activities; and when one dies in the
mode of ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom. The result of pious
action is pure and is said to be in the mode of goodness. But action done in the
mode of passion results in misery, and action performed in the mode of
ignorance results in foolishness. From the mode of goodness, real knowledge
develops; from the mode of passion, greed develops; and from the mode of
ignorance develop foolishness, madness and illusion. Those situated in the mode
of goodness gradually go upward to the higher planets; those in the mode of
passion live on the earthly planets; and those in the abominable mode of
ignorance go down to the hellish worlds.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.14-
18)

We can take good actions (mode of goodness), bad actions (mode of passion) or
ugly actions (mode of ignorance). The result of these actions will be that we
suffer or enjoy.

67. We are in _____ years of this ____th Kali Yuga

a. 5124 year of 28th Kali Yuga

b. 2022 year of Kali Yuga.
c. 2022 b.c.e.
d. 2022 AD

answer is: a. we are in 5124th year of 28th Kali Yuga (Ashtavim

satitame kali yuga). The 28th Kali Yuga began 5,124 years ago and
has 426,876 years left as of 2023 CE. Kali Yuga will end in the year
428,899 CE.

68. The word Kalpam means -

a. 1000 chatur yugaas

b. 2000 chatur yugaas
c. 1000 kali yugaas
d. 2000 kali yugaas

answer is: a. 1000 chatur yugaas.

Explanation: Bhagwan Shri Krishna says in Bhagvad Geeta:

sarva-bhutani kaunteya prakrtim yanti mamikam

kalpa-ksaye punas tani kalpadau visrjamy aham

O son of Kunti at the end of the millennium (kalpam) every material

manifestation enters into My nature, and at the beginning of another

millennium, by My potency, I again create.

A kalpam is a day of Brahma, and one day of Brahma consists of a thousand

cycles of four yugas or ages.

The duration of the material universe is limited. It is manifested in

cycles of kalpas. A kalpa is a day of Brahma, and one day of Brahma
consists of a thousand cycles of four yugas or ages: Satya, Treta,
Dvapara and Kali. The cycle of Satya is characterized by virtue, wisdom
and religion, there being practically no ignorance and vice, and the
yuga lasts 1,728,000 years. In the Treta-yuga vice is introduced, and
this yuga lasts 1,296,000 years. In the Dvapara-yuga there is an even
greater decline in virtue and religion, vice increasing, and this yuga
lasts 864,000 years. And finally in Kali-yuga (the yuga that we have
now been experiencing over the past 5,000 years) there is an abundance of strife,
ignorance, irreligion and vice, true virtue being practically nonexistent, and this
yuga lasts 432,000 years. In Kaliyuga vice increases to such a point that at the
termination of the yuga
the Supreme Lord Himself appears as the Kalki avatara, vanquishes the
demons, saves His devotees, and commences another Satya-yuga. Then the
process is set rolling again. These four yugas, rotating a thousand times, comprise
one day of Brahma, the creator god, and the same number comprise one night.

69. The universe consists of how many worlds (lokas)

a. 1
b. 3
c. 7
d. 14

answer is: d. 14.

Earth and the worlds above earth: Bhuloka (earth), Bhuvarloka, Swarloka,
maharloka, janaloka, tapaloka and satya loka. The six lokas above
earth(bhuloka) are known as heavenly worlds. There are seven more lokas
below earth. They are atala loka, vitala loka, sutala loka, talaatala loka,
mahaatala loka, rasaatala loka and paataala loka. There are called hellish
worlds. So total 14 worlds comprising one universe. Scriptures say they are
many more universes created by Bhagwan.

70. How many times the Srivaikuntam (Parama Padam - abode of Bhagwan)
is bigger ?

a. 3 times bigger than the universe of 14 lokas

b. 3 times bigger than the our mother earth
c. Smaller than universe
d. None of the above

answer is: a. 3 times bigger than the universe of 14 lokas

 Explanation: Sri Parasara Bhattar gives the interpretation for Nama
“Trikakuddhaama” in Shloka 7 of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam that
tri-kakud-dhaama means One who has His abode as the Parama-
Pada, which is thrice as large as this Universe.

71. What is the word “ Dhakshinaayanam” refers to :

a. when the sun travels towards the south on the celestial

sphere
b. when the sun travels towards the north on the celestial
sphere

c. when the sun travels towards the centre on the celestial

sphere
d. All of the above

Ans: a. when the sun travels towards the south on the celestial
sphere

Dakshinayana is the six-month period between Summer solstice

and Winter solstice, when the sun travels towards the south on the
celestial sphere. Dakshinayana begins on Karkada Sankranti or July
16, as it marks the transition of the Sun into Karkada rashi
(Cancer) and ends in Mid of Jan from where Uttarayana starts.

72. Gandhi referred the following as spiritual dictionary.

a. Vedas
b. Bhagavad Gita
c. Great souls
d. Freedom fighters

answer is: b. Bhagavad Gita

Explanation: ‘I run to mother Gita whenever I find myself in difficulties and up to

now she has never failed to comfort me’ (Young India, 13-11-1930). He called
Gita his spiritual dictionary, for it never failed him in distress, and he found it
was free from sectarianism and dogma,and had universal appeal (Mahatma
Gandhi in Harijan, 16-2-39).

73. Teachings on karma and reincarnation were first presented in the

 a. Vedas
b. Bramhanas
c. Upanishads
d. Bhagavad Gita

answer is: c. Upanishads

Explanation: The sage Yajnavalkya, was one the first philosophers of human
history. He first introduced the concept of karma theory in the ancient
book Brihadaranyaka Upanishads. The karma principle affirms that the
universe will respond to your actions, thoughts and desires, in this life and or the
next.

74. What is the meaning of Shukla Paksha

a. 15 days from No moon day to Full Moon day

b. No moon Day
c. full Moon day
d. 15 days from Full moon day to No Moon day

Ans: 15 days from No moon day to Full Moon day

Explanation: Shukla Paksha (Waxing Moon period or growing moon period )

is a period of 15 days, which begins on the Shukla Amavasya (No Moon) day and
culminating Purnima (Full Moon) day and is considered auspicious because it is
favorable to growth or expansion on every plane of existence i.e. Mental, Physical
and Spiritual Plane. Contrarily, Krishna Paksha is declining or waning moon period
of 15 days from Purnima (full moon) day to Amawasya (No Moon day). When we
understand the meaning of the Sanskrit terms Shukla and Krishna, we can
clearly distinguish among the two pakshas. Shukla expresses bright, whereas
Krishna means the dark. As we already saw, Shukla paksha is from the new
moon to the full moon, and the Krishna paksha, contrary to the Shukla paksha,
begins from the full moon to the new moon.

75. Which of the following is considered as practical approach to the

teachings in Bhagavad Geeta to attain renunciation ?

a. Reading the Puranas

b. reciting the Vedas

c. studying the Upanishads

d. reciting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam

Answer: Option d. reciting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam with sraddha and

bhakti

Explanation : 1. Essentially, both Gita and Sahasranamam preaches devotion to

Lord Krishna as the ultimate aim.

In Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Lord says:

Sarvadharman Parityajya maam ekam saranam vraja…. Withdrawing from

all other Dharmas, just surrender at my feet….

In Sahasranama, Bhishmacharya also says that:

esha me sarva dharmāṇām dharmō(a)dhikatamō mataha |

yadbhaktyā puṇḍarīkāksham stavairarchennaras sadā || 14 ||

(Vishnu Sahasranamam)

Worshiping the Lotus eyed lord (Narayana) is the best of all Dharmas that he
knows of.

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains the philosophical summary of all

Upanishads, establishes his position (as paramatma) and ultimately suggests
devotion as his preferred method to achieve mukthi.

Vishnu Sahasranama elaborates this method of devotion and is a hymn with

1000 names of Lord, through which we can practice Bhakthi (devotion). When
Gita prescribes the method and Vishnu Sahasranama provides the tool to
practice it. So, sahasranamam is practical approach to that said in
Bhagvad Gita.

The ultimate aim of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) is attaining mukthi

(salvation). Mukthi is granted only by Lord (by his mercy). Here are the steps
towards it,

Chanting his holy names (Vishnu Sahasranama) -> Our sins are eradicated ->
Once sins are eradicated, Bhakthi (devotion) blossoms in our heart -> This
matures into love for God and moves us towards serving him -> Lord is pleased
-> He grants Mukthi (salvation).

In this entire chain, the only action from our side is to chant Vishnu
Sahasranama with devotion. Rest will happen on its own. In a way, this is what
Krishna preached in Bhagavad Gita as well (in the sloka quoted earlier, Lord also
says that he will cleanse his devotees of all their sins). So, sahasranamam is
practical approach to that said in Bhagvad Gita. Hence, Bhagavad Gita and
Sahasranama are nothing but two sides of the same coin.

76. The famous mostly recited verse beginning with “ Oṃ saha nāvavatu”
appears in which Upanishad?

a. kena upanishad

b. kada upanishad

c. mundaka upanishad

d. maandookya upanishad

Ans. : a. kena upanishad

oṃ saha nāvavatu .
saha nau bhunaktu .
saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai .
tejasvi nāvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai .
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

May he (the Lord) protect both of us (Teacher and student – guru and disciple).
May he nourish both of us (with knowledge). May both of us make effort for the
capacity (for knowledge to take place). May what is studied by us, be brilliantly
clear. Let not have any misunderstanding. Let there be freedom from three
possible obstacles (the forces over which we have no control, adhidaivika; from
the beings around us, adhibhautika; or from factors centred on ourselves,
adhyatmika.)

77. What is the motto inscribed in the VISVAS Logo ?

a. satyameva jayate

b. aham bramhaasmi

c. yogakshemam vahaamyaham

d. dharmo rakshati rakshitaha

Ans: d. dharmo rakshati rakshitaha

Explanation : Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha धम र तर तः is one of the most renowned and

widely used verses appearing in Mahabharatam and Manu smrti. Dharmo
Rakshati Rakshitaha. “Those who protect the Dharma are protected by the
Dharma”. Here the word Dharma means Dharam and it includes all the moral,
ethical, and cosmic principles that uphold and sustains a society by establishing
peace and prosperity. The principles and values that summarize the word
Dharma include,

Love and compassion– Dharam is about having compassion towards all forms of
life.

Honesty and Truth– Dharam is being truthful to yourself and others.

Humbleness and non-violence– Dharam is about creating a modest and peace-

loving personality.

Respect and Care– Dharam is to give equal care and respect to all, be it a child
or an elderly.

Equality and Decency– Dharam is decent and it teaches decency and equality for
everyone. It discourages discrimination of all kinds and offers protection.

Self Love and Self-care– Dharam is to protect oneself from all sorts of harms
and evils.

All these principles make a complete picture of a Dharmic person. The sloka
Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha thus truly means that if you are a Dharmic human
possessing all the ethical and moral qualities, then you are protected by Dharma
itself. Here protection means that your pious nature helps you succeed in all the
frames of life.

----------------------------------------

78. The famous mostly recited verse beginning with “ asato mā sadgamaya”
appears in which Upanishad?

a. kena upanishad

b. kada upanishad

c. mundaka upanishad

d. Brhadaranyaka Upanishad

Ans. : d. Brhadaranyaka Upanishad

Om asatoma (Sanskrit: ॐ असतो मा ) — sometimes referred to as Om asatoma

sadgamaya — is the opening line to an ancient universal prayer, which is part of
the Pavamana Mantra from the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad.

asato mā sadgamaya tamaso mā jyotirgamaya

mrtyormā amrtam gamaya oṃ śāntiś śāntiś śāntiḥi .

ॐ असतो मा स गमय । तमसो मा यो तगमय ।

म ृ योमा अमत
ृ ं गमय । ॐ शाि तः शाि तः शाि तः ॥

Lead me from the asat to the sat. Lead me from darkness to light.

Lead me from death to immortality. Om Peace Peace Peace.

(Brhadaranyaka Upanishad — I.iii.28)

79. The famous mostly recited verse beginning with “ ananyaash chintayanto
maam” appears in Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam Phalashruti is taken from where?

a. Bhagavad Gita

b. kada upanishad

c. mundaka upanishad

d. Ishaa Upanishad

Ans. : a. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Shloka 22

80. The famous mostly recited verse beginning with “ Poornaf Poornam-idam
Poornaat “ appears in which Upanishad?

This is one of the most popular invocatory verses deriving its roots from the Isha
Vasya Upanishad, which is a part of the Shukla Yajur Veda. It calls attention to
the completeness of the Supreme Parabrahman and the Oneness which exists
despite His Creation and individual manifestation of beings.

OM Poornam-adah Poornam-idam Poornaat Poornam-Udachyate

Poornasya Poornam-Aadaaya Poornam-Eva-Avashishyate

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti Hi

That is Complete. This is complete. It implies that God or “Macro I am” is

complete, and so is the ‘Micro I am” or the individual Soul manifesting in every
human being. From that Poornam, or God, this Poornam, or you, become
manifested. This is true for everyone. You must deal with everyone keeping this
in mind. From that whole, self-sufficient God, you the Soul, who is also whole,
are separated. After being separated, only completeness remains. That is, you
and He are still One! This “Micro I am”, also known as Vaishwaanara, comes
from (and always part of) the “Macro I am”, the Virat. Virat still feels complete
after the separation. The completeness thus stays on! We, (the Micro I Ams),
feel separate due to our ignorance and lower attachment.

In the usual mathematical sense, when you take away a part from the whole,
the size of the whole diminishes. However, the Soul is not a substance that is
finite. Hence, nothing can be removed or separated from it. God is accordingly
an infinite being, the Soul of the Universes, who is unlimited and always
complete in spite of the Creation emanating from Him. He and His Creation are
One. Hence, unlike us, He is the causeless cause of His Creation. We beseech
Supreme God for peace. Peace is besought three times with a specific intent.

A shloka from Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam:

stavyas stavapriyas stōtram stutis * stōtā raṇapriyaha |

pūrṇaf pūrayitā puṇyaf puṇyakīrti-ranāmayaha || 73 ||

81. The famous mostly recited verse

yatra yogeśvarah kṛshṇo yatra pārtho dhanurdharaha |

tatra śrīr-vijayo bhūtir- dhruvā nītir-matir-mama

which comes in Phala shruti in Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam “ appears in which holy
scriptures?

a. kena upanishad

b. kada upanishad

c. Ramayanam

d. Bhagvad Gita

Ans. : d. Bhagvad Gita Chapter 18 Shloka 78

82. “Dharma” means

(a) Virtuous path
(b) Higher Truth
(c) The right duty of a person
(d) All the above

Ans. (d) All the above

83. Which is the sacred text of Hinduism?

(a) The Vedas

(b) The Bhagavad Gita
(c) The epics of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana
(d) All of the above
Ans. (d) All of the above

84. __ river is the deity river in the Rigveda

(a) The Brahmaputra
(b) The Yamuna
(c) The Ganges
(d) The Saraswati

Ans. (d) The Saraswati

85 The lengthiest classical epic of Hinduism is:

(a) Bhagwad Gita
(b) Ramayana
(c) Gita Govinda
(d) Mahabharata

Ans. (d) Mahabharata

86. Rig Vedas is a collection of 1028 hymns divided into ________ mandalas.
A. 100
B. 18
C. 10
D. 20

Answer: Option C 10
Explanation : The Rigveda Samhita is the oldest extant Indic text. It is a collection
of 1,028 Vedic Sanskrit hymns and 10,600 verses in all, organized into ten books
(Sanskrit: mandalas). The hymns are dedicated to Rigvedic deities.

87. From which river the name of India is derived from ?

(a) The Brahmaputra
(b) The Sindu
(c) The Ganges
(d) The Saraswati

Ans. (b) The Sindu

88. Which of the following Vedas dealt with Music ?
A. Rigveda
B. Atharvaveda
C. Samaveda
D. Yajurveda

Answer: Option C. Samaveda

Explanation : The Samaveda is the Veda of melodies and chants. It is an ancient
Vedic Sanskrit text, and part of the scriptures of Hinduism. One of the four
Vedas, it is a liturgical text which consists of 1,549 verses. All but 75 verses have
been taken from the Rigveda. Following are the shlokas from Sri Vishnu
Sahasranamam:
trisāmā sāmagas sāma nirvāṇam bheshajam bhishak |
sanyāsakṛch chhamaś śānto nishṭhā śāntif parāyaṇam| 62 ||
( 574 - 585 ; 581 - 592 )
ātmayonis svayamjāto vaikhānas sāmagāyanaha |
devakīnandanas srashṭā kshitīśaf pāpanāśanaha || 106 || ( 985 - 992 )

89. Which of the following dealt with Archory (weapon) ?

A. Rigveda
B. Dhanurveda
C. Samaveda
D. Yajurveda

Answer: Option B. Dhanurveda

A shloka from Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam:

dhanurdharō dhanurvedō daṇḍō damayitā damaha * |

aparājitas sarvasahō niyantā(a)niyamō(a)yamaha ** || 92 ||

90 How many auxiliary parts – limbs (Angaas) called “ Vedangas” are there for
Vedas

A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8

Answer: Option C. 6

There are six Vedangas.

1. Siksha (The nose of the Vedas)
2. Nirukta (The ears of the Vedas)
3. Vyakarana (The mouth of the Vedas.)
4. Chanda Saastra (The feet of the Vedas)
5. Kalpa Saastra (The arms of the Vedas)
6. Jyothisha (Astronomy + Astrology) (The eyes of the Vedas)

These six vedangaas are known as Shat Angaa, six angaas, Shatangaa,
This phrase only has become shatangu in our languages over a period of
time.
All the interpretations of Vedas are made after understanding the above
vedaangaas and not simply by cursorily outwardly seeing the words. We
have to reach the inner meaning of each word in proper perspective to
understand the correct interepretation of Vedas. Sometimes we say in
Tamil Karaithu kudiththu vittar, avar unmaiyaik kakki vittaar, Also in
English, we say at times as his face becomes red , He becomes pale, he is
now a lame duck. If we take direct meaning, it conveys ridiculous
meaning. If we go deep in proper perspective, then alone we understand
that he has become expert, he revealed the truth, he was angry etc., That
is why vedas are known as marai in tamil because their direct meaning is
hidden.

___________________________
Updated 1st Aug 2022

Questions added subsequent to 1st Aug 2022

91. Who wrote the famous Aathi Chudi which is in Sutra / Thread / Tag verse
form that deals with many aspects of life and Sanatana Dharma?

A. Thiruvalluvar
B. Avvaiyar
C. Shankaracharya
D. Rishi Agastya

Answer: Option B
Explanation : The Athichudi (Tamil: ஆ தி , romanized: Āthichūdi) is a collection of single-
line quotations written by Avvaiyar and organized in alphabetical order. There are 109 of these
sacred lines which include insightful quotes expressed in simple words. It aims to inculcate good
habits, discipline and doing good deeds.These quotes deals with many aspects of life and
Sanatana Dharma. Few of them are:

அ அற ெச ய Intend to do the right deeds.

ஆ ஆ வ ன The nature of anger is to subside.

இ இய வ கரேவ Help others as much as you can.

ஈ ஈவ ல ேக Do not stop or avoid charitable deeds.

உ உைடய ள ேப Do not brag about your possessions.

ஊ ஊ கம ைக ேட Never lose hope or motivation.

எ எ எ இகேழ Do not despise numbers and letters.

ஏ ஏ ப இக Do not beg.

ஐ ஐய உ Eat after offering alms.

ஒ ஒ ர ஒ Adapt to your changing world.

ஓ ஓ வ ஒ ேய Never stop learning.

ஒள ஒள ய ேபேச Do not speak ill about others.

ஃ அஃக ேக Do not hamper development or creativity.

92. Dakshinayana (Sanskrit: द णायण) is when the _____________

A. Sun is seen travelling towards the North

B. Sun is seen travelling towards the South
C. Moon is seen travelling towards the South
D. Moon is seen travelling towards the North

Answer: Option B
Sun is seen travelling towards the South; Dakshinayana ( Sanskrit: दि णायण) is
the six-month period between Summer solstice and Winter solstice, when
the sun is seen travelling towards the south on the celestial sphere.
Dakshinayana begins on Karkada Sankranti or July 16, as it marks the
transition of the Sun into Karkada rashi ( Cancer ). As name suggests
Dakshinayan is just opposite to Uttarayan. It is the period when Sun travels back from
Cancer to Capricorn that is from North to South. As, Sun is seen travelling to the South
direction so, this journey of Sun is known as Dakshinayan. [दि णायण = दि ण (south) + आयन] In
this period rainy season, autumn and winter season falls. This period begins from mid-July.
Dakshinayan is the night time for Devas. Nights are longer and days are shorter.

Important Note: The meaning of the movement of Sun means that the apparent movement of
the Sun as seen from earth since it is the earth that orbits around the Sun in elliptical path and
not the other way round. The Earth’s axis of rotation moves north-south.

93. Uttarayana is when the _____________

A. Sun is seen travelling towards the North

B. Sun is seen travelling towards the South
C. Moon is seen travelling towards the South
D. Moon is seen travelling towards the North

Answer: Option A

Sun is seen travelling towards the North ; Uttarayana is the six-

month period between Winter solstice and Summer solstice when the
sun seen travelling towards the north on the celestial sphere.
Uttarayana begins from the day of Makar Shankaraanti or Jan 14/15.
As name suggests Uttarayan is just opposite to Dakshinayan. As, Sun
seen travelling to the North direction so, this journey of Sun is known
as Uttarayan. [उ रायण = उ र (North) + आयन]. It is six months long period.
Uttarayan is the day time for Devas. During Uttarayan, days are longer
and nights are shorter. Several festival and pilgrimages are involved in
this period. this period is also known as the period of devas, donations,
charities, marriages etc. In this period winters, spring and summers
season falls. This period begins from mid-Jan.
Important Note: The meaning of the movement of Sun means that the apparent movement of
the Sun as seen from earth since it is the earth that orbits around the Sun in elliptical path and
not the other way round. The Earth’s axis of rotation moves north-south.
94. Krishna Paksha is when the _____________

A. Sun is seen travelling towards the North

B. Sun is seen travelling towards the South
C. Moon is seen travelling from West towards the East
D. Moon is seen travelling from East towards the West

Answer: Option D

Moon is seen travelling from East towards the West; Krishna Paksha is
the fifteen-days period – it refers to the second fortnight of the lunar month, in which
the moon is waning or fading. The name has Sanskrit roots, with krishna meaning “dark”
and paksha meaning “side”. This refers to the fact it happens to darken the full moon
gradually.

95. Shukla Paksha is when the _____________

A. Sun is seen travelling towards the North

B. Sun is seen travelling towards the South
C. Moon is seen travelling from West towards the East
D. Moon is seen travelling from East towards the West

Answer: Option C

Moon is seen travelling from West towards the East; Shukla Paksha is
the fifteen-days period – it refers to the first fortnight of the lunar month, in which the
moon is waxing or brigtening. It starts from 1st day after Amavasya and ends
with Poornima. The name has Sanskrit roots, with Shukla meaning “white” or bright
and paksha meaning “side”. This refers to the fact it happens to brighten or grow into the full
moon gradually from the no-moon day.

96. The phrase “ Yug sahasra yojan – ( जुग सह योजन) ” in the verse “ Yug sahasra
yojan par bhaanu ; leelyo taahi Madhura phal jaanu (जग
ु सह योजन पर भानु
ल यो ता ह मधुर फल जान)ू ” of Shri Hanuman Chalisa represents

A. The distance between the Earth and Moon

B. The distance between the Earth and Sun
C. The distance between the Moon and Sun
D. The distance between the Earth and Jupiter

Answer: Option B

This means that Sun (भानु) is at a distance of Yuga Sahasra Yojana (जुग सह योजन-
Distance Unit in Hindi)
According to following conversion practices that are in use as per Hindu Vedic Literature-

We know that one Mahayuga (chaturyuga), is 43,20,000 human years. One deva varsh (
deva year) equals to 360 human years because our human one year is one day for
devas. So chaturyuga, in terms of deva varsh equals to 12000 (4320000/360 = 12000)

1 Yug (comprising all 4 sub-yugas) = 12000 (in terms of deva varsha, ) (Refer Chapter
1 in the beginning)

1 Sahasra= 1000 (like Vishnu Sahasranamam means 1000 names of Bhagawaan Vishnu)

1 Yojan = 8 Miles; Thus 12000 X 1000 X 8 = 96,000,000 miles

1 mile = 1.6 kms

This further implies that distance is 96,000,000 * 1.6 kms = 153,600,000 Kms

Scientist have derived a figure of 150 Million Kms, or 1500 lakhs KMs which is almost
near to the above.

97. Prasthanatrayi (three sources of authority) is the collective name given to ?

A. Upanishads, Bramha Sutra and Srimad Bhagavat Gita

B. Vedas, Itihasaas and Puraanaas
C. Vitura Neeti, Bhagavad Gita and Shri Vishnu Sahasranamam
D. Bhaja Govindam, Ganesa Pancharatnam and Kanaga Dhaara Stotram

Answer: Option A Upanishads, Bramha Sutra and Srimad Bhagavat Gita

Prasthanatraya means the three sources of authority. It is the

collective name given to the Upanishads, Bramha Sutra and Srimad
Bhagavat Gita, which are accepted as three sources from which the
different schools of Vedanta derived their authority. All are compiled
by Bhagwan Veda Vyasa.

98. The purpose of life is seen to be gaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death
(reincarnation) by resolving Karma. What name is given to this achievement?

A. Sutra

B. Moksha

C. Veda

D. Upanishad
Answer: Option B. Moksha ; Moksha, or the eternal salvation, is what everybody is to strive
for. As mentioned in the sacred texts, if everyone follows a path which will lead to Moksha, the
world will be a very peaceful place where every being will co-exist happily

99. Who wrote the Brahma Sutras?

A. Ved Vyas

B. Rama

C. Valmiki

D. Kabir

Answer: Option A. Ved Vyas

100. What is the literal translation of the Sanskrit term 'Advaita'?

A. Nothing there

B. Only One

C. Not Two

D. One Consciousness

Answer: Option C. Not Two Advaita means 'not two' rather than 'all one' or similar, as saying
all is one is seen as too simplistic. Saying 'not two' leads to a state more or less beyond words.

101. Which of the following is appearing in the logo of Life Insurance Corporation of India ?
A. Satyameva Jayate
B. Satyam vata Dharmam chara
C. Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha

D. Yogakshemam Vahamyaham

Answer: Option D Yogakshemam Vahamyaham – an important phrase in Shloka 22

Chapter 9 of Bhagvad Gita.
102. Which of the following is appearing in the logo of RAW ?
A. Satyameva Jayate
B. Satyam vata Dharmam chara

C. Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha

D. Yogakshemam Vahamyaham

Answer: Option C Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha – Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah (Sanskrit: धम

र ित रि तः; is a popular Sanskrit phrase mentioned in Mahabharata and Manusmriti verse 8.15. It

means "The Dharma protects those who protect it".

103. There are _________ stages in one’s life.

A) 1
b) 4
c) 10
d) 60

ans. B) 4

Explanation : Ashrama: Ashrama refers to one’s stage in life. There are

four ashramas- Bramhacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa,

First is the learning stage Bramhacharya- Equivalent to student life with

emphasis on studies under the guidance of a teacher, self control of
senses, celibacy and self discipline.

second the householder’s stage, Grahastha ashrama---Stage of a

householder, getting married and having a family. Earning
livelihood by honest means and responsibly raising his or her family to the
best of their abilities and discharging their duties towards the community.

third after the completion of householder’s duty (like proceeding to the

forest for tapasya (meditation) for realisation of self Vanprastha )—
retirement and spending more time for spiritual enlightenment as well as
helping the community.
and the final stage is freeing oneself from all the social bondage
Sanyasa— Stage of renunciation and ascetism.

In this, the second one Grahasta is important as it supports the other

three ashramas.

104. There are _________ yagnyas (sacrifices) in one’s life.

A) 1
b) 5
c) 10
d) 50

ans. B) 5

Explanation : Our life is filled with numerous sacrifices. .Important are

five sacrifices. prescribed in a Sanatana Dharmi’s life with its purpose.

The five sacrifices prescribed according to the law of Yagna-s are,

The Sacrifice to Rishi-s or Veda-s (Bramha Yagnyam)

The Sacrifice to Deva-s (Deva Yagnyam)
The Sacrifice to Pithru-s (Pithru Yagnyam)
The Sacrifice to Men (Manusha Yagnyam)
The Sacrifice to Bhuta-s (Bhoota Yagnyam)

104. There are _________ koshas (sheaths or covers) covering the soul.

A) 1
b) 5
c) 10
d) 15

ans. B) 5

Explanation : The soul is covered by 5 covers or five Koshas or sheaths.

The five sheaths are Annamaya Kosha (food-sheath), Pranamaya Kosha
(vital sheath), Manomaya Kosha (mental sheath), Vijnanamaya Kosha
(intellect-sheath) and Anandamaya Kosha (blissful sheath). 'Maya' means
full. 'Kosha' means sheath. Atman is distinct from the above Koshas.
105. There are _________ vaayus (airs) in us.

A) 1
b) 5
c) 10
d) 25

ans. B) 5

Explanation : According to the yogic tradition, in pranamaya kosha (the

etheric body) prana divides into five vayus (principal breaths or vital airs)
according to its movement and direction. In the Chandogya Upanishad
(2:13:6), the vayus are referred to as the “gatekeepers to the heavenly
world.” This suggests an esoteric understanding of the close relationship
between breath and consciousness.

The vayus govern different areas of the body and different physical and
subtle activities. When they function harmoniously, they assure health
and vitality. They also have effects on the psychological level, allowing us
to live life with meaning and opening us to the spiritual reality beyond the
different koshas.
The vayus represent five important forms of energy that manifest both in
the being and in the entire Universe. They are collectively called the prana
vayus or “winds”:

1. PrAna vAyu
2. ApAna vAyu
3. SamAna vAyu
4. UdAna vAyu
5. VyAna vAyu

prANa -- the principal breath

apAna -- responsible for excretory activity
samAna -- responsible for digestive activity
udAna -- respiratory activity
vyAna -- responsible for circulatory activity

___________________________

Updated 11th November 2023