Top 100 Sanskrit Epics, Puranas & Darshana GK Questions for Competitive Exams (With Answers)
Introduction:
Ace the literature and philosophy sections of competitive Sanskrit examinations with this curated compilation of the Top 100 GK Questions on Epics, Puranas, and Darshana. Aligned with the latest syllabi for UGC-NET (Sanskrit Codes 25 & 73), State TETs, DSSSB, and TGT/PGT lecturer recruitment tests, this revision module covers essential canonical milestones. Master foundational facts from Valmiki’s Ramayana (Adikavya), the complex structure and parvas of Vyasa’s Mahabharata, the classification and characteristics of the 18 Mahapuranas, and the epistemological doctrines of the six orthodox (Shad Darshana) and three heterodox (Nastika) philosophical systems.
The Ramayana (Adikavya) (Q1–Q25)
1. What is the traditional designation of the Valmiki Ramayana in Sanskrit literature?
Answer: Adikavya (आदिकाव्य), composed by Adikavi Sage Valmiki.
2. Which poetic meter was spontaneously invented by Sage Valmiki upon witnessing the grief of the Krauncha bird?
Answer: Anushtup meter (अनुष्टुप् / श्लोक वृत्त).
3. What is the opening verse (Adishloka) of the Valmiki Ramayana?
Answer:
"मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगमः शाश्वतीः समाः।
यत्क्रौञ्चमिथुनादेकमवधीः काममोहितम्॥"
4. What is the connection between the 24 letters of the Gayatri Mantra and the Valmiki Ramayana?
Answer: Every 1,000 verses of the Ramayana begins with a successive syllable of the 24-syllable Gayatri Mantra (Gayatri-Ramayana).
5. What is the correct sequential order of the 7 Kandas of the Ramayana?
Answer: Bala Kanda, Ayodhya Kanda, Aranya Kanda, Kishkindha Kanda, Sundara Kanda, Yuddha Kanda (Lanka Kanda), and Uttara Kanda.
6. Which is the shortest and which is the longest Kanda in the Valmiki Ramayana?
Answer: Kishkindha Kanda is the shortest; Yuddha Kanda is the longest.
7. What is the predominant poetic sentiment (Angi Rasa) of the Valmiki Ramayana according to Anandavardhana?
Answer: Karuna Rasa (करुण रस – Pathos).
8. Which sage performed the Putrakameshti Yajna for King Dasharatha?
Answer: Sage Rishyashringa (ऋष्यशृङ्ग).
9. On the banks of which river did Valmiki reside when he composed the Ramayana?
Answer: Tamasa River (तमसा नदी).
10. Who narrated the core story of Rama (Sankshepa Ramayana) to Valmiki in the opening chapter of Bala Kanda?
Answer: Devarshi Narada.
11. Which Kanda details Hanuman’s flight across the ocean and search for Sita in Lanka?
Answer: Sundara Kanda (the only Kanda named after an epithet of Hanuman rather than a place or event).
12. Which hymn did Sage Agastya impart to Rama on the battlefield to defeat Ravana?
Answer: Aditya Hridaya Stotra (आदित्यहृदयस्तोत्रम् – found in Yuddha Kanda, Canto 105).
13. What was the name of the divine bow broken by Rama at Janaka’s court?
Answer: Pinaka (पिनाक / त्र्यम्बक कार्मुक).
14. What were the names of Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna's wives?
Answer: Urmila (Lakshmana), Mandavi (Bharata), and Shrutakirti (Shatrughna).
15. Who were the two Vanara architects credited with constructing the bridge (Ramasetu) across the ocean?
Answer: Nala and Nila.
16. Which vulture king sacrificed his life trying to rescue Sita from Ravana?
Answer: Jatayu (जटायु); his elder brother was Sampati.
17. Which demon was delivered from a curse and advised Rama to ally with Sugriva?
Answer: Kabandha (कबन्धासुर).
18. Who composed the celebrated commentary Ramayana-Tilaka on the Valmiki Ramayana?
Answer: Nagoji Bhatta (नागेश à¤à¤Ÿ्ट / रामवर्मा).
19. Which esoteric Sanskrit version of the epic is found embedded within the Brahmanda Purana?
Answer: Adhyatma Ramayana (अध्यात्मरामायणम्).
20. What was Indrajit’s original birth name before conquering Svarga?
Answer: Meghanada (मेघनाद).
21. Which sage cursed Queen Ahalya to remain invisible/dormant until Rama's arrival?
Answer: Sage Gautama (गौतम ऋषि).
22. Who first recited the completed Valmiki Ramayana in the royal assembly of Ayodhya?
Answer: Lava and Kusha (the twin sons of Rama and Sita).
23. In which Kanda does the dialogue between Rama and the materialist philosopher Jabali take place?
Answer: Ayodhya Kanda (Canto 108).
24. Which text composed by Sage Vasishtha expands on Advaita philosophy taught to young Rama?
Answer: Yoga Vasishtha (योगवासिष्ठ/ महारामायण).
25. How many Kandas (books) and verses comprise the Valmiki Ramayana?
Answer: 7 Kandas and ~24,000 verses (hence known as Chaturvimshati-sahasri Samhita).
The Mahabharata & Harivamsha (Q26–Q50)
26. What are the three historical evolutionary stages and verse counts of the Mahabharata?
Answer:
Jaya (जय) – 8,800 verses (composed by Vyasa)
Bharata (à¤ारत) – 24,000 verses (recited by Vaishampayana)
Mahabharata (महाà¤ारत) – ~100,000 verses (narrated by Sauti)
27. What technical title denotes the Mahabharata due to its 100,000 verses?
Answer: Shatasahasri Samhita (शतसाहस्री संहिता).
28. How many Parvas (books) comprise the Mahabharata?
Answer: 18 Parvas.
29. Which is the longest Parva and which is the shortest Parva in the Mahabharata?
Answer: Shanti Parva is the longest (~14,000 verses); Mahaprasthanika Parva is the shortest (320 verses).
30. What is the supplementary appendix (Khila-parva) of the Mahabharata called?
Answer: Harivamsha Purana (हरिवंश पुराण – detailing the genealogy and life of Krishna).
31. What is the primary aesthetic sentiment (Angi Rasa) of the Mahabharata according to the Dhvanyaloka?
Answer: Shanta Rasa (शान्त रस – Tranquility/Detachment).
32. In which Parva of the Mahabharata is the Bhagavad Gita situated?
Answer: Bhishma Parva (Chapters 23 to 40 / 25 to 42).
33. In which forest and during which ritual was the Mahabharata recited by Ugrashravas Sauti?
Answer: Naimisharanya (नैमिषारण्य) during the twelve-year sacrifice of Sage Shaunaka.
34. To which king did Sage Vaishampayana recite the Mahabharata during the Snake Sacrifice (Sarpa Satra)?
Answer: King Janamejaya (great-grandson of Arjuna).
35. In which Parva does the dialogue on statecraft between Vidura and Dhritarashtra (Vidura Niti) occur?
Answer: Udyoga Parva (Chapters 33–40).
36. In which Parva does Sage Sanatsujata instruct King Dhritarashtra on overcoming mortality (Sanatsujatiya)?
Answer: Udyoga Parva (Chapters 41–46).
37. In which Parva is the celebrated hymn Vishnu Sahasranama revealed by Bhishma?
Answer: Anushasana Parva (Chapter 149).
38. In which Parva is the famous philosophical dialogue between the Yaksha and Yudhishthira (Yaksha-Prashna) found?
Answer: Vana Parva / Aranyaka Parva (Chapter 313).
39. In which Parva does the tragic Game of Dice (Dyuta-parva) and Draupadi’s humiliation occur?
Answer: Sabha Parva.
40. In which Parva do the Pandavas spend their thirteenth year of incognito exile in the kingdom of Virata?
Answer: Virata Parva.
41. Who wrote the standard classical Sanskrit commentary Bharatabhavadipa on the Mahabharata?
Answer: Nilakantha Chaturdhara (नीलकण्ठचतुर्धर).
42. Where does the famous romance of Nala and Damayanti (Nalopakhyana) appear?
Answer: Vana Parva (Aranyaka Parva).
43. In which Parva is the story of Satyavan and Savitri (Pativrata-Mahatmya) narrated?
Answer: Vana Parva.
44. How many days did the Kurukshetra War last, and how many Akshauhinis of armies participated?
Answer: 18 days; 18 Akshauhinis (11 on the Kaurava side, 7 on the Pandava side).
45. What was the order of the five supreme commanders-in-chief of the Kaurava army?
Answer: Bhishma (10 days), Drona (5 days), Karna (2 days), Shalya (half-day), and Ashwatthama (final night).
46. What were the names of Krishna and Arjuna's divine conches (Shankhas)?
Answer: Panchajanya (Krishna) and Devadatta (Arjuna).
47. Which Parva describes the collective lamentations of Kunti, Gandhari, and other royal women on the battlefield?
Answer: Stri Parva (स्त्रीपर्व).
48. Which Parva deals with the destruction of the Vrishni/Yadava clan due to a sage's curse?
Answer: Mausala Parva (मौसलपर्व).
49. What is the final (18th) Parva of the Mahabharata?
Answer: Svargarohana Parva (स्वर्गारोहणपर्व).
50. Who severed the head of Barbarika (Khatu Shyam) before the Kurukshetra war began?
Answer: Sri Krishna (at Barbarika's own request as a ritual sacrifice).
The Puranas & Upapuranas (Q51–Q70)
51. What are the five defining thematic characteristics of a classical Purana (Pancha-lakshana)?
Answer:
Sarga (Primary Creation)
Pratisarga (Dissolution & Re-creation)
Vamsha (Genealogies of Gods & Sages)
Manvantara (Cosmic Epochs)
Vamshanucharita (Dynastic Histories of Kings)
52. Which classical lexicon (Kosha) first cataloged the definition of Pancha-lakshana?
Answer: Amarakosha by Amarasimha.
53. How many Mahapuranas and Upapuranas are recognized in the canonical tradition?
Answer: 18 Mahapuranas and 18 Upapuranas.
54. Which mnemonic Sanskrit verse encodes the names of all 18 Mahapuranas?
Answer:
"मद्वयं à¤à¤¦्वयं चैव ब्रत्रयं वचतुष्टयम्।
अनापलिङ्गकूस्कानि पुराणानि पृथक् पृथक्॥"
55. Which is the largest Mahapurana by total verse count?
Answer: Skanda Purana (~81,100 verses).
56. Which Mahapurana contains the fewest verses?
Answer: Brahma Purana or Markandeya Purana (~9,000–10,000 verses).
57. How does the Padma Purana classify the 18 Mahapuranas based on the Three Gunas?
Answer:
Sattvika (Vishnu-centric): Vishnu, Bhagavata, Naradiya, Garuda, Padma, Varaha.
Rajasa (Brahma-centric): Brahmanda, Brahma-vaivarta, Markandeya, Bhavishya, Vamana, Brahma.
Tamasa (Shiva-centric): Matsya, Kurma, Linga, Shiva, Skanda, Agni.
58. In which Mahapurana is the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati / Chandi Patha) embedded?
Answer: Markandeya Purana (Chapters 81–93).
59. How many Skandhas (cantos) and verses comprise the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana?
Answer: 12 Skandhas and ~18,000 verses.
60. In which Skandha of the Bhagavata Purana is Krishna’s childhood and the Rasa Lila depicted?
Answer: 10th Skandha (दशम स्कन्ध).
61. Who recited the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana to King Parikshit on the banks of the Ganga?
Answer: Sage Shukadeva (over the course of 7 continuous days — Saptaha).
62. Which Purana is known for its encyclopedic coverage of secular sciences, warfare, architecture, and medicine?
Answer: Agni Purana (अग्निपुराण).
63. Which section of the Garuda Purana is traditionally recited during funeral rites and post-death rituals?
Answer: Preta Khanda (प्रेतकल्प).
64. Where does the sacred hymn Lalita Sahasranama appear?
Answer: Brahmanda Purana (Uttara Khanda, within the dialogue between Hayagriva and Agastya).
65. How many Amshas (parts) and verses make up the Vishnu Purana?
Answer: 6 Amshas (~7,000 verses; narrated by Sage Parashara to Maitreya).
66. Which Purana features the dialogue between King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi?
Answer: Markandeya Purana (framing the Devi Mahatmya).
67. How many characteristics (Dasha-lakshana) are assigned to Mahapuranas in the Bhagavata Purana?
Answer: Ten: Sarga, Visarga, Vritti, Raksha, Manvantara, Vamsha, Vamshanucharita, Samstha, Hetu, and Apashraya.
68. Which Purana details the manifestation of the cosmic pillar of light (Lingodbhava)?
Answer: Shiva Purana and Linga Purana.
69. Which Purana describes the Matsya Avatara instructing King Satyavrata (Manu) during the Great Deluge?
Answer: Matsya Purana.
70. Which scholar authored the famous Advaita commentary Bhavartha-dipika on the Bhagavata Purana?
Answer: Shridhara Svami (श्रीधरस्वामी).
Shad Darshana: Orthodox Systems (Astika) (Q71–Q90)
71. What criterion defines an Astika (orthodox) school of Indian philosophy?
Answer: Acceptance of the supreme epistemic authority of the Vedas (Veda-pramanyavada), not simply belief in a personal God.
72. What are the six orthodox systems (Shad Darshana) and their respective founding sages?
Answer:
Vaisheshika – Sage Uluka Kanada
Samkhya – Sage Kapila
Purva Mimamsa – Sage Jaimini
Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta) – Sage Badarayana (Veda Vyasa)
73. What is the primary aphoristic text of the Nyaya school?
Answer: Nyaya Sutras by Gautama.
74. How many valid means of knowledge (Pramanas) are accepted by the Nyaya school?
Answer: Four — Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference), Upamana (Comparison), and Shabda (Verbal Testimony).
75. How many categories of reality (Padarthas) are recognized by the Vaisheshika school?
Answer: Seven — Dravya (Substance), Guna (Quality), Karma (Action), Samanya (Generality), Vishesha (Particularity), Samavaya (Inherence), and Abhava (Non-existence).
76. How many Dravyas (substances) are categorized in Vaisheshika physics?
Answer: Nine — Prithvi (Earth), Ap (Water), Tejas (Fire), Vayu (Air), Akasha (Ether), Kala (Time), Dik (Space), Atman (Self), and Manas (Mind).
77. What is the causal theory of Nyaya-Vaisheshika called?
Answer: Asatkaryavada (असत्कार्यवाद) or Arambhavada (the effect is a brand-new entity not pre-existing in the cause).
78. What is the earliest extant systematic text of Samkhya philosophy?
Answer: Samkhyakarika (सांख्यकारिका) by Ishvarakrishna (containing 72 Karikas).
79. How many fundamental principles (Tattvas) are enumerated in Samkhya metaphysics?
Answer: 25 Tattvas (Purusha + Prakriti, Mahat/Buddhi, Ahamkara, 11 Indriyas, 5 Tanmatras, and 5 Mahabhutas).
80. What is the causal doctrine upheld by Samkhya-Yoga?
Answer: Satkaryavada (सत्कार्यवाद) / Parinamavada (the effect pre-exists potentially in its material cause and undergoes real transformation).
81. Why is classical Samkhya termed Nirishvara and Yoga termed Seshvara?
Answer: Classical Samkhya operates without postulating a personal creator God, whereas Yoga integrates Ishvara as a unique, untainted Purusha (Purusha-vishesha).
82. How does Sage Patanjali formally define Yoga in the Yoga Sutras?
Answer:
"योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः" (Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind – 1.2).
83. How many chapters (Padas) and aphorisms comprise Patanjali's Yoga Sutras?
Answer: 4 Padas (Samadhi, Sadhana, Vibhuti, Kaivalya) and 195 Sutras (196 in some recensions).
84. What are the eight limbs of classical Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) in sequential order?
Answer: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
85. What are the five ethical restraints (Yamas) prescribed by Patanjali?
Answer: Ahimsa (Non-violence), Satya (Truthfulness), Asteya (Non-stealing), Brahmacharya (Continence), and Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness).
86. What is the foundational text of Purva Mimamsa philosophy?
Answer: Mimamsa Sutras by Sage Jaimini (comprising 12 Adhyayas).
87. Who are the founders of the two main rival sub-schools of Purva Mimamsa?
Answer: Kumarila Bhatta (Bhatta school) and Prabhakara Mishra (Prabhakara / Guru school).
88. How many Pramanas are accepted by Kumarila Bhatta versus Prabhakara Mishra?
Answer: Kumarila accepts 6 Pramanas (including Anupalabdhi / Non-apprehension); Prabhakara accepts 5 Pramanas (rejecting Anupalabdhi).
89. What canonical authority forms the foundational Prasthanatrayi of Vedanta?
Answer:
Upanishads (Shruti-prasthana)
Bhagavad Gita (Smriti-prasthana)
Brahma Sutras (Nyaya-prasthana / Tarka-prasthana)
90. What is the opening and concluding Sutra of Badarayana’s Brahma Sutras?
Answer:
First Sutra: अथातो ब्रह्मजिज्ञासा (Athato Brahmajijnasa – 1.1.1)
Last Sutra: अनावृत्तिः शब्दादनावृत्तिः शब्दात् (Anavrittih shabdad anavrittih shabdat – 4.4.22)
Vedanta Schools, Heterodox Thought (Nastika) & Epistemology (Q91–Q100)
91. Who founded Advaita Vedanta, and what is his core monumental commentary on the Brahma Sutras?
Answer: Adi Shankaracharya; Shariraka Bhashya (शारीरिकà¤ाष्यम्).
92. What are the three tiers of reality (Satta-traividhya) according to Advaita Vedanta?
Answer:
Pratibhasika (Illusory/Apparent reality — dreams, mirages)
Vyavaharika (Empirical/Conventional reality — waking world)
Paramarthika (Absolute reality — Brahman alone)
93. What is the causal theory of Advaita Vedanta called?
Answer: Vivartavada (विवर्तवाद – theory of apparent/illusory transformation of Brahman).
94. Match the four other prominent Vedantic schools with their primary Acharyas:
Answer:
Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-Dualism) — Ramanujacharya
Dvaita (Dualism) — Madhvacharya
Shuddhadvaita (Pure Non-Dualism) — Vallabhacharya
Dvaitadvaita (Dualistic Non-Dualism) — Nimbarkacharya
95. What are the three classical heterodox (Nastika) traditions that reject Vedic authority?
Answer: Charvaka (Lokayata), Bauddha, and Jaina.
96. Which single Pramana is exclusively accepted by the Charvaka materialist school?
Answer: Pratyaksha (प्रत्यक्ष – Direct sensory perception).
97. What are the "Four Noble Truths" (Chatvari Aryasatyani) of Buddhist philosophy?
Answer: Dukkha (Suffering), Dukkha Samudaya (Origin of suffering), Dukkha Nirodha (Cessation of suffering), and Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada (The Path to cessation / Eightfold Path).
98. Which two core epistemological and metaphysical doctrines define Jain philosophy?
Answer: Anekantavada (Doctrine of many-sided reality) and Syadvada (Doctrine of conditional/qualified predication).
99. What are the two major epistemological views regarding the validity of knowledge (Pramanya-vada)?
Answer:
Svatah-pramanya-vada (Intrinsic validity — held by Mimamsa and Vedanta)
Paratah-pramanya-vada (Extrinsic validity — held by Nyaya)
100. What error theory (Khyativada) does Advaita Vedanta propose to explain perceptual illusions (e.g., rope-snake)?
Answer: Anirvachaniya-khyati (अनिर्वचनीयख्याति – the illusion is inexplicable as either real or unreal).
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