With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term 'paramitas' ?
Show answer
Answer: C. In Mahayana Buddhism, paramitas are the perfections (such as generosity, morality, patience and wisdom) that a Bodhisattva cultivates on the path to Buddhahood.
Watch for: Students who do not know the term may link it to texts or guilds by guesswork.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because early sutra-style Dharmashastra texts are the Dharmasutras.
- B. Wrong because schools rejecting the Vedas are called nastika schools.
- D. Wrong because South Indian merchant guilds were bodies like the Ayyavole and Manigramam.
Source to check: NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History Part I, Chapter 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.