With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs:1. Parivrajaka: Renunciant and Wanderer2. Shramana: Priest with a high status3. Upasaka: Lay follower of Buddhism Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
✓ Correct answer: b) 1 and 3 only
ExplanationIn ancient Indian Non-Vedic religious traditions like Buddhism and Jainism, distinct roles and terminologies were used to describe various types of spiritual practitioners and followers such as Parivrajaka, Shramana and Upasaka.Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Sanskrit word Parivrajaka means renunciant & wanderer in English.Ajita Keshkambalin, Makhkhali Goshala, Gauthama Buddha, and Vardhamana Mahavira are a few well-known examples for Parivrajaka.UPSC GS Paper-I PYQs 150 Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Brahmins were privileged as intermediaries between God and its followers, making them socially dominant groups of the society.There have been many movements that tried to distance themselves from this practice and belief.Shramanas were one such group.Famous among them were Buddhists, Jains, lokayats, and Ajivikas.The Shramanas included a variety of ascetics, monks and lay followers of various sects.They renounced worldly life to search for the truth about life and the universe.The main feature of Shramana was their equal treatment.They lived as an equal member of the orde
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