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

(a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style
(b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
(c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path ✓ UPSC's answer
(d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India

Why the answer is (c)

• In Mahayana Buddhism the paramitas are the 'perfections' a bodhisattva cultivates on the path to Buddhahood — option (c).

• The six classical paramitas are dana (generosity), sila (morality), kshanti (patience), virya (energy), dhyana (meditation) and prajna (wisdom); later lists add four more, making ten.

• Aphoristic Dharmashastra texts (a) are the Dharmasutras; schools rejecting the Vedas (b) are the nastika schools (Buddhism, Jainism, Charvaka); South Indian merchant guilds (d) were the Ayyavole/Manigramam.

• Hence option (c).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style: Aphoristic Dharmashastra texts are Dharmasutras.
(b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas: Non-Vedic schools are called nastika darshanas.
(d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India: Merchant guilds were Ayyavole, Manigramam, etc.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.