UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies
Question 42: History and Culture
According to the Mimamsa system of philosophy, liberation is possible by means of
AnswerThe answer is (d).
The Mimamsa school holds that the Vedas are eternal and stresses ritual action, karma, as laid down in them. In its early form it aimed at heaven through correctly performed sacrifices, and later Mimamsa writers accepted liberation as the goal reached through duty properly done. Unlike the Vedanta schools it gives little weight to knowledge of Brahman. Remember: Mimamsa means karma; Vedanta means jnana.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Jnana, knowledge, is the path stressed by Advaita Vedanta.
- (b) Bhakti, devotion, belongs to later devotional traditions.
- (c) Yoga is the path of the Yoga school, with discipline of body and mind.
- (d) Right: Mimamsa stresses Vedic action, karma.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.