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 ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• Pair 1 is correct: a parivrajaka was a wandering renunciant who left home to seek truth, common in the 6th century BCE.
• Pair 3 is correct: upasaka (male) and upasika (female) are lay followers of Buddhism who observe the five precepts without ordination.
• Pair 2 is wrong: shramanas were ascetic seekers of the non-Vedic traditions (Buddhists, Jains, Ajivikas) who rejected priestly ritual; the high-status priest was the brahmana.
• Hence 1 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Pair 2 is wrong: shramanas were ascetics, not priests.
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- Pair 2 is wrong; pair 1 is correct.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Pair 2 is wrong.
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.