UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I
Question 58: History and Culture
With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school :
- 1.Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.
- 2.Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Sankhya accepts transmigration: the subtle body carrying the results of karma is reborn until liberation, so statement 1 is wrong. It teaches a dualism of Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter), and holds that bondage ends when one gains discriminative knowledge that the self is distinct from matter. Liberation therefore comes from self-knowledge, not from an external agent such as God. Statement 2 is correct.
- 1. Sankhya accepts rebirth of the subtle body until liberation.
- 2. Discriminative self-knowledge frees the Purusha, not an outside agent.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Sankhya accepts rebirth of the subtle body until liberation.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Discriminative self-knowledge frees the Purusha, not an outside agent.
Only (b) is left. This one needs every statement.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Sankhya accepts rebirth.
- (b) Correct. Only statement 2 is true.
- (c) Wrong. Statement 1 is false.
- (d) Wrong. Statement 2 is true.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.