With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Parivrajaka — Renunciant…

With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Parivrajaka — Renunciant and Wanderer 2. Shramana — Priest with a high status 3. Upasaka — Lay follower of Buddhism Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Solution

Parivrajaka means wandering ascetic — pair 1 correct. Shramanas were heterodox ascetics/monks (Buddhist, Jain etc.), not high-status priests — pair 2 wrong. Upasaka is a lay follower of Buddhism — pair 3 correct. Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only.

Asked in: UPSC Prelims 2020

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