Question 1

What is the third goal of Hindu life that relates to spiritual, mental, and physical pleasure?

Accepted Answer

The third goal of Hindu life that relates to spiritual, mental, and physical pleasure is kama. It focuses on experiencing sensual pleasure and pursuing enjoyment in all aspects of life, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. However, it is important to note that kama is not the ultimate goal of human life according to Hinduism, but rather a step towards fulfilling one's greater purpose and achieving ultimate liberation (moksha). The third goal of Hindu life is kama, which refers to the pursuit of pleasure, both physical and mental. This includes the enjoyment of all the senses, including sexual pleasure, as long as it is pursued within the boundaries of dharma (moral and ethical duty).

Question 2

Lakshmi is the goddess of:

Accepted Answer

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of fortune and wealth. She is often worshipped to bring prosperity and good luck. Lakshmi is widely known as the Hindu goddess of fortune, prosperity, and wealth. She is often depicted holding lotus flowers, which symbolize purity and abundance. She is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity to those who worship her.

Question 3

It is estimated that there are _____ Hindus in India today.

Accepted Answer

According to the 2011 census, the total population of India was approximately 1.21 billion people, and it is estimated that Hinduism is the religion of around 900 million of them. Therefore, C is the correct answer. A is incorrect because the total population of India is not that high. B is incorrect because it is an underestimate of the number of Hindus. D is incorrect because it is a very small number compared to the actual number of Hindus in India. According to a 2011 census, the population of India was 1.21 billion, and around 79.8% of them identified as Hindus. Therefore, the estimated number of Hindus in India today is approximately 900 million. Option A is incorrect as the total population of India is nowhere close to 1.5 billion. Option B is incorrect as it is much lower than the actual number of Hindus in India. Option D is incorrect as it is an extremely low estimate.

Question 4

In the varna system of classification, Kshatriyas are:

Accepted Answer

Kshatriyas are the warriors or the ruling class in the varna system of classification. They were responsible for protecting the society and maintaining law and order. Kshatriyas are warriors who traditionally held power and authority in society, and were responsible for protecting the kingdom and its people.

Question 5

The Hindu "books of knowledge" consisting of hymns to various deities, instructions for sacrifice, songs for sacrifice, and spells to bring on blessings and keep away evil are collectively known as the:

Accepted Answer

The Vedas are considered to be the oldest and most important Hindu texts, and they consist of four different collections of hymns, chants, and ritual instructions. They are considered to be the Hindu "books of knowledge" and are revered as sacred scriptures. The Shastras are a broader category of Hindu texts that include various religious and philosophical works, while the Laws of Manu are a specific set of legal codes and social norms for Hindu society. The Upanishads are a later collection of philosophical texts that discuss the nature of reality and the individual self. The Vedas are considered as the oldest scriptures of Hinduism which contain hymns, chants, and incantations for rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices, and prayers to various deities. The word "Veda" means knowledge, and there are four main Vedas - Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 6

An important prayer ritual in Hinduism is the prayer to the sun called the:

Accepted Answer

The prayer ritual to the sun in Hinduism is called Agnihotra. It is performed twice daily at sunrise and sunset by invoking the blessings of the sun god. It involves the offering of grains and ghee into a sacred fire while reciting mantras in praise of the sun. The ritual of Agnihotra involves the prayer to the sun and is an important ritual in Hinduism. Murti refers to the image or statue of a deity, Lingam refers to a phallic symbol representing the god Shiva, and Varna refers to the caste system in Hinduism, none of which relate to the prayer to the sun.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes atman?

Accepted Answer

Atman is often described as a person's innermost self or soul in Hinduism and Jainism. It is believed to be eternal and unchanging, and transcends the physical body and material world. Atman is the individual's innermost self or soul. It is seen as a unique essence that is eternal and unchanging, separate from the body and mind. According to Hindu belief, the ultimate goal of life is to realize one's atman and achieve spiritual liberation (moksha).

Question 8

Which of the following statements best describes suttee, rarely if ever practiced any longer:

Accepted Answer

Suttee, also known as sati, is the practice of burning a widow on the funeral pyre of her husband. It was a common practice in some parts of India until it was outlawed by the British colonial government in 1829. While still technically illegal, cases of suttee are rare in modern times. Suttee, also known as sati, is the ritual act of a widow immolating herself on her husband's funeral pyre. It was a cultural practice in some parts of India, particularly in Hindu communities, but has been banned in modern times due to its inhumane nature.

Question 9

Which of the following terms do Hindus use to refer to the image of a deity?

Accepted Answer

Hindus refer to the image of a deity as a "murti." Puja refers to the act of worship or offering to a deity, bhakti refers to devotion towards a deity or divine, and bindi is a decorative dot worn on the forehead by Hindu women. Hindus use the term "murti" to refer to the image or statue of a deity, which is often used as a focal point for worship and devotion. Puja refers to the ritual worship or offering made to a deity, bhakti refers to the devotion and love towards a deity, and bindi refers to the decorative dot worn on the forehead.

Question 10

Instead of thinking of their religion in mainly historical ways by looking to the past of their religion, Hindus typically look to:

Accepted Answer

Hindus believe in the existence of a higher truth that transcends historical events and is accessible through personal spiritual experiences. This philosophy is reflected in Hindu texts such as the Upanishads, which emphasize the importance of direct mystical experience over intellectual understanding. Therefore, Hindus look beyond the historical context of their religion and focus on achieving a deeper understanding of the spiritual truths that underlie it. Hindus believe in the concept of Sanatana Dharma, which means eternal truth or eternal way of life. They believe that this truth is beyond time and space and can be realized through spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, and devotion. Therefore, they focus on the spiritual truths beyond historical events rather than solely relying on their scriptural writings or looking to the past of their religion.

Question 11

In Hinduism, devotion to one's chosen god is called:

Accepted Answer

Devotion to one's chosen god in Hinduism is called bhakti, which is a form of spiritual practice or worship. Bhakti is considered one of the paths to moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It involves developing a deep love and devotion towards one's chosen deity and surrendering oneself to them completely. Bhakti is often expressed through devotional singing, chanting, and rituals. Devotion to one's chosen god is called bhakti in Hinduism. Dharma refers to one's duty or righteousness, kama refers to desire or pleasure, and artha refers to wealth or material success.

Question 12

The books detailing sacrifice and its power are called the:

Accepted Answer

The Brahmanas are a collection of texts within the Vedas that detail the ritualistic practices and sacrifices performed by priests. These texts emphasize the power and importance of sacrifice in pleasing the gods and gaining their blessings. The Brahmanas are a collection of books in Hinduism that detail various rituals and sacrifices, including their procedures and meanings. These texts are considered to be one of the oldest and most important sources of information on the Vedic religion, and are believed to have been written between 900 and 700 BCE.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true of dharma?

Accepted Answer

Dharma is specific to one's duties and responsibilities based on their position in society, such as their caste, stage of life, and occupation.

Question 14

In the context of Hindu deities, who is worshipped by pouring milk over the lingam?

Accepted Answer

Lingam is a representation of Lord Shiva in Hindu culture, and pouring milk over it is considered a symbol of purification and devotion towards the deity. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. The lingam is a representation of Lord Shiva, and pouring milk over it is a common form of worship in Shiva temples.

Question 15

Rama and Krishna are incarnations of

Accepted Answer

Rama and Krishna are considered to be the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism who is believed to have taken different forms to protect the world and maintain moral order. Both Rama and Krishna are revered as major avatars of Vishnu and are widely worshipped by Hindus. Rama and Krishna are both considered incarnations of the Hindu deity Vishnu.

Question 16

Which of the following describes karma?

Accepted Answer

Karma refers to the deeds and acts done in one's lifetime which determine the nature of the next life or reincarnation. It is the cause and effect of actions and decisions made in this life that influence the direction and quality of future lives. Karma is the deeds and acts of an individual, which decide their fate and influence their reincarnation. It is the concept of cause and effect, where actions have consequences that will affect a person's future experiences in life. Good deeds will result in good karma while bad deeds will result in bad karma. Therefore, one must strive to accumulate good karma for a better afterlife or liberation from samsara.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is true of Brahmins?

Accepted Answer

Brahmins are traditionally seen as priests and scholars who are responsible for performing religious rituals such as chanting songs for sacrifice. They are not typically associated with leading battles or providing manual labor. Brahmins are the highest caste in Hinduism and are primarily responsible for performing religious rituals and chanting songs for sacrifice. They are not known for leading battles or providing manual labor, and the statement about supporting higher castes through lowly service is a stereotype and not necessarily true.

Question 18

What two symbols of Hinduism are dealt with in this chapter?

Accepted Answer

The chapter deals with the symbol of the swastika and the Om in Hinduism. The lotus is mentioned briefly in the context of the symbolism of the swastika. The chapter deals with the two symbols of Hinduism, the swastika and the Om. The Om is a sacred sound and a spiritual icon, while the swastika is an ancient symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune. The lotus is not discussed in this chapter.

Question 19

Which of the following is the correct order of caste/class, from bottom to top of the social order?

Accepted Answer

The traditional Hindu social order, from the lowest to the highest, is Dalits (outcasts or "untouchables"), Shudras (laborers), Vaishyas (traders and agriculturists), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), and Brahmins (priests and scholars).

Question 20

The cycle of reincarnation is called:

Accepted Answer

The cycle of reincarnation is known as samsara in Hinduism and Buddhism, where an individual is reborn into a new existence after death, determined by their actions (karma) in their previous life. Dharma is the concept of fulfilling one's duty in life, while Moksha refers to freedom from the cycle of reincarnation. Option B is the most appropriate choice for the given question. The cycle of reincarnation is called samsara in Hinduism and Buddhism. Karma refers to the moral law of cause and effect, dharma refers to ethical and moral principles that govern the universe and one's duty within it, and moksha is the release from the cycle of reincarnation.

Quiz 3: Encountering Hinduism: Many Paths to Liberation