2020 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I
Question 31: History and Culture
With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’ ?
aThe earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style
bPhilosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
cPerfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
dPowerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Paramitas are the perfections a Bodhisattva cultivates on the path to Buddhahood, such as generosity, morality, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom (six in the Mahayana lists, ten in some traditions). Attaining them leads along the Bodhisattva path. They are not Dharmashastra texts, non-Vedic philosophical schools or merchant guilds.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: the early Dharmasutra texts are the sutra-style legal works.
- (b) Wrong: schools rejecting Vedic authority include Buddhism, Jainism and Charvaka, not paramitas.
- (c) Right: perfections practised on the Bodhisattva path.
- (d) Wrong: powerful southern guilds were the Ayyavole and Manigramam, not paramitas.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.