Q. Consider the following statements:
1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: (b) 2 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 GS Paper
Explanation:
1. “There are no parables in Upanishads.”
This statement is incorrect. The Upanishads, which are part of the Vedanta philosophy in Hinduism, do contain parables. These parables are often used to illustrate complex philosophical concepts in a more accessible way. For example, the parable of the salt and water in the Chandogya Upanishad is used to explain the concept of Brahman.
2. “Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.”
This statement is correct. The Upanishads are generally considered to be much older than the Puranas. The composition of the Upanishads is typically dated between 800-200 BCE, though some may be even older. The Puranas, on the other hand, are generally dated to the post-Vedic period, with most scholars placing their composition between 300-1000 CE.
Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 2 only.