1995 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies
Question 52: History and Culture
Bronze icons of Nataraja cast during the Chola period invariably show the deity with
aeight hands
bsix hands
cfour hands
dtwo hands
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Chola bronze images of Nataraja, Shiva as the Lord of the Dance, show him with four arms: one holds the drum (damaru), another the flame, a third is in the gesture of fearlessness (abhaya) and the fourth points to the raised foot. He dances in a ring of flames on the dwarf of ignorance. Remember: four-armed Nataraja is the Chola bronze icon.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Eight hands is not the usual Chola Nataraja form.
- (b) Six hands is not the usual Chola Nataraja form.
- (c) Right: four hands, holding the drum and the flame, with the fearless and pointing hands.
- (d) Two hands is not the usual Chola Nataraja form.
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.