With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the followin

With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs :

1.	Parivrajaka	–	Renunciant and Wanderer
2.	Shramana	–	Priest with a high status
3.	Upasaka	–	Lay follower of Buddhism

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

1 and 2 only

1 and 3 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

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Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched.

Parivrajaka refers to wandering ascetics or renunciants who have left their homes and societal ties. Upasaka refers to a lay follower of Buddhism or other Shramana traditions who is not a monk or nun but observes basic precepts. Shramana refers to ascetics and renunciants generally, particularly those who rejected the authority of the Vedas and the Brahmanical system, such as Buddhists, Jains, and Ajivikas. They represent a tradition distinct from the Brahmanical priesthood and are not typically associated with high status within that system.

The Shramana tradition emerged alongside the Brahmanical tradition in ancient India. Both traditions involved spiritual seeking, but differed in their philosophical approaches and practices. The Shramana movement emphasized asceticism, meditation, and personal effort towards liberation.

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