Notes and Study material for Exams
is a world religion and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha (literally the Enlightened One or Awakened One). Siddhārtha Gautama was the historical founder of Buddhism. After asceticism and meditation, he discovered the Buddhist Middle Way—a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. … Read more
Navayana Buddhism: A Revolutionary Movement for Social Justice Navayana Buddhism, also known as Dalit Buddhism, is a contemporary movement within Buddhism that emerged in India in the 20th century. It represents a powerful assertion of social justice and equality, particularly for the Dalit community, who have historically faced severe oppression and marginalization within the Hindu … Read more
Yoga is being practiced as part of healthy lifestyle and has become part of our spiritual heritage. In the present era, Yoga is popular world-wide because of its spiritual values, therapeutic credentials, its role in the prevention of diseases, promotion of Health and management of lifestyle related disorders. Several clinical studies have lucidly demonstrated the … Read more
Religious Movements and religious philosophy in Ancient and Medieval India is an open ended topic and as mentioned in RAS Mains updated syllabus we have bifurcated the topic to cover the topic in entity for RAS Mains exam. Hinduism-as-a-federation-of-various-sects-shaiva-vaishnava-and-shakta/”>Hindu Sects: Hinduism as a federation of various sects – Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta Nature and scope … Read more
Hinduism: A Dominant Religious Influence Shaping the World Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest and most complex religions, boasts a rich history and a profound impact on the cultural landscape of India and beyond. With its diverse traditions, philosophical schools, and spiritual practices, Hinduism has shaped the lives of billions of people for millennia. This … Read more
The Melodies of the Mountains: Buddhist Chanting in Ladakh Ladakh, a high-altitude region nestled in the Himalayas, is a land of stark beauty and profound spirituality. Its rugged landscapes and unforgiving climate have shaped a resilient culture deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. At the heart of this culture lies the practice of chanting, a vibrant … Read more
Puranas Divided into sarga, pratisarga, manvantantar, vamsa (genealogical list of kings) & vamsanucharita. 18 main puranas & 18 subsidiary puranas. Vedas Meaning “knowledge”. Rigveda (hymns), Yajurveda (sacrificial formulae), Atharvaveda (magical charms & spell), Samveda. Vedas are called aparusheya (not created by man) & nity Upanishads About 200 in number. Deal with philosophy. Oldest & … Read more
Buddhist Literature Introduction Buddhism is a religion that originated in India over 2,500 years ago. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as the Buddha. The Buddha taught that suffering is caused by attachment and that the way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path. Buddhist literature … Read more
Varina Vyavastha or Varina System Vedas prescribe that all human beings should leave ignorance, get educated, select a profession for himself based on his “tatva” (basic traits) and Education, take a vow to follow such a profession, and follow such a profession. Vedas classifies all profession into three viz. “Knowledge based”, … Read more
Dandin: A Literary Giant of Ancient India Dandin, a prominent figure in Sanskrit literature, remains a captivating enigma. While his exact life and times are shrouded in mystery, his literary contributions have left an indelible mark on Indian culture. This article delves into the life, works, and enduring legacy of Dandin, exploring his contributions to … Read more