UPSC Mains 2023 · GS IV · Q6(a) · 10 marks · 150 words

What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak ? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

हिन्दी में

गुरु नानक की प्रमुख शिक्षाएँ क्या थीं ? समकालीन दुनिया में उनकी प्रासंगिकता की व्याख्या कीजिए ।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Bring out the relevance of the teachings of Gautam Buddha in contemporary times.”

Archit Dongre197 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Gautam Buddhas was primarily an ethical teacher that taught the importance of self-discipline & ethics to lead a happy life.

Body · points and prose

four fold truth

He taught his ethics via the 4 truths:- (1) world is full of suffering (2) suffering has a cause (3) desire is the cause of suffering (4) if desire is eliminated suffering can be eliminated.

for this he recomended the 8-fold path of yoga → yama, niyama, pranayama, asana, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana & samadhi;

Contemporary times

(1) Greed & vices can be reduced & controlled following path of yama & niyama along with pratyahara (aversion to passions) (control of senses)

(2) Stress management & Anger management on reducing desires for sey & becoming more compassionate.

(3) Avoiding entremities i.e aversion or hate & attachment or obsession to things by following Buddhas Madhyam marga (midde path).

(4) Conflict of interests can be avoided by understanding momentariness of things by Buddhas teaching of Kshanikavada (Theory of momentaryness).

(5) Peace of Mind & freedom from sorrow can be achieved using Buddhas teachings of meditation & temperence.

Close · a summary

Hence, Buddhas teachings of momentariness & middle path give us a good & reliable moral compass to navigate in ethical dillennias.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper IV, Q6(a). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.