2012 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 72: History and Culture
Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes
aBuddha's calling of the Earth to watch over Māra and to prevent Māra from disturbing his meditation
bBuddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Māra
cBuddha's reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
dBoth the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The Bhumisparsha mudra shows the Buddha seated with his right hand touching the ground. It marks the moment under the Bodhi tree when, challenged by Mara, he called the Earth to witness his steadfastness and his purity despite Mara's temptations. The Earth is a witness, not a guard against Mara, and the gesture is not a reminder of transience.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: the Earth is called to witness, not to watch over Mara or stop his disturbance.
- (b) Correct: he calls the Earth to witness his purity despite Mara's temptations.
- (c) Wrong: the gesture is not about all beings arising from and dissolving into the Earth.
- (d) Wrong: statement (a) is not correct, so both cannot hold.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.