Civil Services Prep

Prelims 2020 · Ancient History · Question 11

With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term "paramitas"?

  1. The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style
  2. Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
  3. Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
  4. Powerful merchant guilds of early Medieval South India

Answer

Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path

  • (a) Incorrect. The earliest Dharmashastra texts in sutra style are Dharmasutras, not paramitas.
  • (b) Incorrect. Schools rejecting Vedic authority are called nastika schools, not paramitas.
  • (c) Correct. In Buddhism, paramitas are the perfections/virtues (like dana, shila, kshanti) cultivated on the Bodhisattva path.
  • (d) Incorrect. Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India were groups like Ayyavole/Manigramam, not paramitas.
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