Vaishnava
Q2. Which analogy best explains the principle of Nishkama Karma Yoga?
A. A tortoise withdrawing limbs
B. A rod killing a snake in the hand of a man
C. A river merging into the ocean
D. A blind man guided by another blind man
Answer: B
Explanation: Krishna compares the devotee to a rod in the hand of the Supreme (BG 2.48). The rod acts but is not responsible for killing; similarly, a devotee acts as an instrument of Krishna, avoiding karmic bondage.
Q5. Why does Krishna call those attracted to Vedic rituals “men of small knowledge”?
A. Because they misunderstand the eternal purpose of the Vedas
B. Because they reject all spiritual practices
C. Because they deny the existence of the soul
D. Because they fail to perform sacrifices correctly
Correct Answer: A. Because they misunderstand the eternal purpose of the Vedas
Explanation: Krishna criticizes attachment to fruitive rituals as they aim for temporary rewards, not eternal liberation. (Ref: BG 2.42–45)
Q2. What is the essence of Buddhi-yoga according to Krishna?
A. Complete withdrawal from all activities
B. Acting with equanimity and surrendering results to the Supreme
C. Performing rituals for heavenly enjoyment
D. Avoiding all forms of work
Correct Answer: B. Acting with equanimity and surrendering results to the Supreme
Explanation: Buddhi-yoga means using intelligence to act without attachment, maintaining balance in success and failure. (Ref: BG 2.48)
Q10. How does Krishna define true wisdom in the context of Sankhya and Yoga?
A. Memorizing all Vedic scriptures
B. Understanding the difference between body and soul and acting accordingly
C. Renouncing all forms of work immediately
D. Performing rituals for heavenly enjoyment
Correct Answer: B. Understanding the difference between body and soul and acting accordingly
Explanation: True wisdom means realizing the eternal nature of the soul and aligning actions with this understanding, which leads to liberation. (Ref: BG 2.39)
Q2. What is the philosophical reason Krishna gives for performing duty without attachment to results?
A. Because attachment creates karmic bondage and disturbs equanimity
B. Because results are always guaranteed by divine will
C. Because detachment ensures immediate liberation
D. Because attachment is only harmful in spiritual duties, not material ones
Correct Answer: A. Because attachment creates karmic bondage and disturbs equanimity
Explanation: Krishna teaches that attachment to outcomes binds one to the cycle of birth and death. Acting without attachment purifies consciousness and leads to freedom. (Ref: BG 2.47)
Q15. Why does Krishna call the intellect fixed in knowledge superior to ritualistic action ?
A. Because rituals are prohibited in Kali-yuga
B. Because knowledge alone destroys all sins
C. Because such intellect leads to liberation, while rituals bind one to material results
D. Because rituals require complex procedures that most cannot perform
Correct Answer:
C. Because such intellect leads to liberation, while rituals bind one to material results
Explanation:
Krishna contrasts the limited fruits of ritualistic actions with the unlimited benefit of wisdom. Actions done for results keep one in samsara, whereas knowledge-centered action leads to moksha. (Ref: BG 2.41–2.45)
Q9. What is the significance of Krishna’s teaching that “action is better than inaction”?
A. Because inaction leads to immediate liberation
B. Because action performed without attachment purifies the mind
C. Because inaction is impossible for embodied beings
D. Because action guarantees material prosperity
Correct Answer: C. Because inaction is impossible for embodied beings
Explanation: Krishna explains that one cannot remain inactive even for a moment due to the influence of the modes of nature. Therefore, action should be spiritualized through detachment. (Ref: BG 2.47–48)
Q1. Why does Krishna call karma-kāṇḍa a “dense forest of delusion”?
A. Because it is difficult to memorize all rituals
B. Because it distracts seekers with promises of temporary pleasures
C. Because it guarantees liberation only after many lifetimes
D. Because it promotes atheistic philosophy
Correct Answer: B. Because it distracts seekers with promises of temporary pleasures
Explanation: Krishna warns that attachment to fruitive rituals entangles one in material desires, preventing spiritual progress. (Ref: BG 2.52)
Q4. Why does Krishna call those who seek fruits of work “misers”?
A. Because they fail to accumulate enough wealth
B. Because they misuse the rare human life for temporary gains
C. Because they reject all spiritual practices
D. Because they avoid charity and sacrifices
Correct Answer: B. Because they misuse the rare human life for temporary gains
Explanation: Krishna explains that human life is meant for self-realization, not for chasing perishable results. (Ref: BG 2.49)
Q1. Why does Krishna compare a sthita-prajna’s sense control to a tortoise withdrawing its limbs?
A. To show that senses should be destroyed completely
B. To illustrate that senses should be withdrawn when not needed and used only for spiritual purpose
C. To discourage all sensory activity permanently
D. To promote complete isolation from society
Correct Answer: B. To illustrate that senses should be withdrawn when not needed and used only for spiritual purpose
Explanation: Krishna teaches that sense control means regulation, not suppression. Like a tortoise, a wise person withdraws senses when danger arises but uses them for Krishna’s service. (Ref: BG 2.58)
Q2. Why does Krishna emphasize that mere restraint of senses is insufficient?
A. Because senses are inherently evil
B. Because the taste for sense objects remains unless replaced by a higher taste
C. Because restraint guarantees immediate liberation
D. Because restraint is only for ascetics
Correct Answer: B. Because the taste for sense objects remains unless replaced by a higher taste
Explanation: Krishna explains that real control comes when one experiences a higher spiritual taste, making material desires fade naturally. (Ref: BG 2.59)
Q3. What is the “higher taste” Krishna refers to as the solution for sense control?
A. Enjoyment of subtle mental pleasures
B. Experiencing bliss through Brahman realization
C. Engaging senses in devotional service to Krishna
D. Complete withdrawal from all activities
Correct Answer: C. Engaging senses in devotional service to Krishna
Explanation: Krishna teaches that spiritual engagement satisfies the soul and removes attraction to lower pleasures. (Ref: BG 2.59)
Q5. What is the first step in the downfall sequence described by Krishna?
A. Attachment
B. Anger
C. Contemplation on sense objects
D. Loss of memory
Correct Answer: C. Contemplation on sense objects
Explanation:: Krishna outlines the sequence: contemplation → attachment → desire → anger → delusion → loss of memory → loss of intelligence → fall. (Ref: BG 2.62–63)
Q18. According to Krishna, what is the correct sequence of downfall that begins with contemplation on sense objects?
A. Contemplation → Desire → Attachment → Anger → Delusion → Loss of memory → Destruction of intelligence → Ruin
B. Contemplation → Attachment → Desire → Anger → Delusion → Loss of memory → Destruction of intelligence → Ruin
C. Contemplation → Desire → Anger → Attachment → Delusion → Loss of memory → Destruction of intelligence → Ruin
D. Contemplation → Attachment → Anger → Desire → Delusion → Loss of memory → Destruction of intelligence → Ruin
Correct Answer: B.
Contemplation → Attachment → Desire → Anger → Delusion → Loss of memory → Destruction of intelligence → Ruin
Q16. Why does Krishna compare uncontrolled senses to powerful enemies?
A. Because they are impossible to defeat
B. Because they can drag the mind away from spiritual focus
C. Because they guarantee material prosperity
D. Because they promote renunciation
Correct Answer: B. Because they can drag the mind away from spiritual focus
Explanation: Krishna warns that senses are strong and must be subdued through devotion and discrimination. (Ref: BG 2.60)
Q74. In Krishna’s analogy of rivers flowing into the ocean, what do the ocean and rivers symbolize?
A. The ocean represents the wise person’s mind, and rivers represent desires that keep approaching
B. The ocean represents liberation, and rivers represent karmic reactions
C. The ocean represents Brahman, and rivers represent sense objects that dissolve completely
D. The ocean represents equanimity, and rivers represent duties that must be performed
Correct Answer: A. The ocean represents the wise person’s mind, and rivers represent desires that keep approaching
Explanation:
Krishna compares the sthita-prajña to an ocean that remains full and undisturbed even when rivers (desires) flow into it. This illustrates inner completeness and equanimity—desires may arise, but they do not disturb the wise. (Ref: BG 2.70)
Q5. Why does Krishna emphasize that mere restraint of senses is insufficient?
A. Because senses are inherently evil
B. Because the taste for sense objects remains unless replaced by a higher taste
C. Because restraint guarantees immediate liberation
D. Because restraint is only for ascetics
Correct Answer: B. Because the taste for sense objects remains unless replaced by a higher taste
Explanation: Krishna explains that real control comes when one experiences a higher spiritual taste, making material desires fade naturally. (Ref: BG 2.59)
Q5. What does the ocean analogy in BG 2.70 illustrate about desires?
A. Desires should be suppressed completely
B. Desires will never enter a wise person’s mind
C. A wise person remains undisturbed even when desires flow in like rivers into the ocean
D. Desires guarantee spiritual advancement
Correct Answer: C. A wise person remains undisturbed even when desires flow in like rivers into the ocean
Explanation: Krishna compares the sthita-prajna to an ocean that remains steady despite rivers flowing into it, signifying equanimity amid desires. (Ref: BG 2.70)
Q10. What does the analogy of a boat, captain, and wind signify in spiritual life?
A. The body alone ensures liberation
B. The guru and scriptures guide the soul safely across material existence
C. The wind represents obstacles in spiritual progress
D. The boat represents karma
Correct Answer: B. The guru and scriptures guide the soul safely across material existence
Explanation: The body is the boat, the guru is the captain, and Krishna’s instructions are the favorable wind that helps us cross the ocean of material life. (Purport reference)
Q1. Why does Krishna emphasize “You have the right to work, but not to the fruits of work” before introducing Buddhi Yoga?
A. To discourage Arjuna from setting goals
B. To establish detachment as the foundation for spiritual progress
C. To promote Karma Kanda rituals
D. To deny responsibility for actions
Answer: B
Explanation: Krishna (BG 2.47) teaches detachment from results, not from goals. This prepares Arjuna for Buddhi Yoga, where actions are performed without selfish motives, purifying consciousness. Goals remain, but attachment to outcomes is relinquished.