Proscience

1. What does the word ‘Purana’ mean?
   a) Ancient
   b) Holy
   c) Sacred text
   d) PoetryAnswer: a) Ancient
   Explanation: The word “Purana” literally means “old.” These texts contain stories about gods, goddesses, and kings​.
2. What is the primary focus of the Puranas?
   a) Military strategies
   b) Stories of gods and goddesses
   c) Scientific discoveries
   d) Agricultural techniquesAnswer: b) Stories of gods and goddesses
   Explanation: The Puranas narrate religious stories about Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, and Parvati, as well as details about how they were worshipped​.
3. How were the Puranas traditionally passed down before being written?
   a) Through stone inscriptions
   b) Through temple paintings
   c) Through oral storytelling
   d) Through royal decreesAnswer: c) Through oral storytelling
   Explanation: The Puranas were originally passed down orally and were meant to be heard by everyone​.
4. Which two Sanskrit epics have been widely known and written down?
   a) Mahabharata and Ramayana
   b) Jataka Tales and Panchatantra
   c) Vedas and Upanishads
   d) Silappadikaram and ManimekalaiAnswer: a) Mahabharata and Ramayana
   Explanation: These two great epics have been preserved in writing and contain significant cultural and moral teachings​.
5. Who is traditionally credited with composing the Mahabharata?
   a) Valmiki
   b) Vyasa
   c) Kalidasa
   d) SattanarAnswer: b) Vyasa
   Explanation: The Mahabharata is traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa, who is believed to have compiled the epic​.
6. Which section of the Mahabharata contains the Bhagavad Gita?
   a) Sabha Parva
   b) Vana Parva
   c) Bhishma Parva
   d) Adi ParvaAnswer: c) Bhishma Parva
   Explanation: The Bhagavad Gita is found within the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata and consists of a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna​.
7. Who is recognized as the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana?
   a) Kalidasa
   b) Ilango
   c) Valmiki
   d) VyasaAnswer: c) Valmiki
   Explanation: The Ramayana is attributed to the sage Valmiki and tells the story of Rama, Sita, and Ravana​.
8. What is the central theme of the Ramayana?
   a) A battle between two kingdoms
   b) A war for control of the Kuru throne
   c) The exile of Rama and the rescue of Sita
   d) The adventures of Buddhist monksAnswer: c) The exile of Rama and the rescue of Sita
   Explanation: The Ramayana narrates the story of Rama’s exile, Sita’s abduction by Ravana, and her eventual rescue​.
9. Which literary collections preserved stories told by ordinary people?
   a) The Vedas
   b) Jataka Tales and Panchatantra
   c) The Upanishads
   d) The PuranasAnswer: b) Jataka Tales and Panchatantra
   Explanation: The Jataka Tales and Panchatantra preserved stories told by common people, including moral and fable-like stories​.
10. Where were Jataka stories often depicted in ancient times?
    a) In stone inscriptions
    b) On temple walls and stupas
    c) In the Mahabharata
    d) In palm-leaf manuscripts

Answer: b) On temple walls and stupas
Explanation: Jataka stories were frequently depicted on the railings of stupas and in paintings, such as those at Ajanta​