- 1. The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Indian scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, is a profound philosophical dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. Written in a poetic form in the Sanskrit language, this revered text explores the complexities of human existence, the nature of duty (dharma), and the path to spiritual enlightenment. During a pivotal moment on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, as Arjuna grapples with his moral dilemmas about fighting against his own relatives and teachers, Krishna imparts timeless wisdom that addresses the struggles of life, ethical dilemmas, and the pursuit of righteousness. The Gita encompasses various paths to liberation, including devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), and disciplined action (karma), urging individuals to seek their own truth while fulfilling their responsibilities. Often regarded as a spiritual and philosophical classic, the Bhagavad Gita has inspired countless scholars, philosophers, and spiritual seekers across the world, transcending cultural and religious boundaries with its universal message of balance, duty, and self-realization.
What is the primary setting of the Bhagavad Gita?
A) The banks of the Ganges river
B) A forest hermitage
C) A royal palace in Hastinapura
D) The battlefield of Kurukshetra
- 2. Who is the divine teacher in the Bhagavad Gita?
A) The sage Vyasa
B) Lord Krishna
C) Lord Shiva
D) Arjuna's father, Pandu
- 3. Who is the disciple receiving the teachings in the Gita?
A) Duryodhana
B) Yudhishthira
C) Bhishma
D) Arjuna
- 4. What is Arjuna's main moral dilemma at the start of the Gita?
A) Deciding which kingdom to rule
B) Whether to renounce the world
C) Fighting and killing his relatives and teachers
D) Choosing a wife
- 5. According to Krishna, the soul (Atman) is:
A) Temporary and subject to change
B) Eternal, indestructible, and immutable
C) Born anew with every action
D) Nonexistent
- 6. What is 'Karma Yoga' as taught in the Gita?
A) The yoga of winning wars
B) The yoga of selfless action
C) The yoga of physical postures
D) The yoga of acquiring wealth
A) The path of magical powers
B) The path of artistic expression
C) The path of knowledge and wisdom
D) The path of political leadership
- 8. What is 'Bhakti Yoga'?
A) The path of extreme asceticism
B) The path of loving devotion to God
C) The path of scholarly debate
D) The path of building temples
- 9. Krishna declares that whenever righteousness declines, he manifests himself:
A) Only once at the end of time
B) In dreams only
C) In every age
D) Only for kings and sages
- 10. What is the 'Brahman' as described in the Gita?
A) The priestly class
B) A specific god of creation
C) A type of meditation
D) The ultimate, impersonal reality
- 11. A stable mind is compared to what in the Gita?
A) A mountain during an earthquake
B) A bird in a cage
C) A river flowing to the sea
D) A lamp in a windless place
- 12. What are the three gunas (qualities) of material nature?
A) Birth, Life, Death
B) Good, Evil, Neutral
C) Sattva, Rajas, Tamas
D) Fire, Water, Earth
- 13. Which guna is characterized by passion, activity, and attachment?
A) Brahman
B) Rajas
C) Tamas
D) Sattva
- 14. What does Krishna promise to those who always remember him with devotion?
A) They will become wealthy.
B) They will come to him.
C) They will never face difficulties.
D) They will be famous.
- 15. In which larger epic is the Bhagavad Gita contained?
A) The Vedas
B) The Mahabharata
C) The Puranas
D) The Ramayana
- 16. How many chapters are in the Bhagavad Gita?
A) 24
B) 18
C) 12
D) 7
- 17. What is Arjuna's role or caste duty (varna)?
A) Brahmin (priest)
B) Kshatriya (warrior)
C) Vaishya (merchant)
D) Shudra (laborer)
- 18. What does Krishna show Arjuna in his universal form (Vishvarupa)?
A) The entire universe and the destruction of warriors
B) The secrets of the afterlife
C) The location of hidden treasures
D) The future kings of the world
- 19. What should one use to cut down the Ashvattha tree?
A) The sword of victory
B) The fire of knowledge
C) The arrow of devotion
D) The axe of non-attachment
- 20. What is described as the 'enemy' of a seeker of knowledge?
A) Ignorant teachers
B) Other people
C) Desire
D) Poverty
- 21. Which term refers to the eternal, indestructible soul?
A) Atman
B) Prakriti
C) Brahman
D) Maya
- 22. What is the ultimate goal of life according to the Gita?
A) Moksha (liberation)
B) Artha (prosperity)
C) Kama (pleasure)
D) Raja (kingship)
- 23. What is the term for the cycle of birth and death?
A) Dharma
B) Moksha
C) Samsara
D) Nirvana
- 24. What must one control to achieve peace of mind?
A) The planets
B) Other people
C) The weather
D) The senses
- 25. What is the term for the illusion that binds the soul to the material world?
A) Yoga
B) Dharma
C) Maya
D) Karma
- 26. What is the supreme, impersonal reality described in the Gita?
A) Atman
B) Brahman
C) Prakriti
D) Ishvara
- 27. Which chapter discusses the distinction between the field (body) and the knower of the field (soul)?
A) Chapter 1
B) Chapter 6
C) Chapter 13
D) Chapter 18
- 28. What is the symbolic meaning of the chariot?
A) The path to liberation
B) The material world
C) The kingdom of Hastinapura
D) The human body
- 29. Who is the composer of the Mahabharata, which includes the Gita?
A) Vashishtha
B) Valmiki
C) Vyasa
D) Vishvamitra
- 30. What is the name of Arjuna's bow?
A) Vijaya
B) Sharanga
C) Gandiva
D) Pinaka
- 31. How many verses are in the Bhagavad Gita?
A) 1000
B) 500
C) 1008
D) 700
- 32. Krishna says the soul is never born and...
A) Merges with God at death
B) Sleeps between lives
C) Is reborn endlessly
D) Never dies
- 33. Which of these is a key virtue of a wise person?
A) Aggression
B) Laziness
C) Extreme passion
D) Equanimity (Samatvam)
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