UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 40
The "dharma" and "rita" depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements :
- Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one's duties to oneself and to others.
- Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained.
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: In Vedic thought, dharma refers to duties and right conduct, while ṛta refers to the underlying cosmic and moral order sustaining the universe.
Statement / Item-wise Analysis:
1: Correct - Correct: dharma involves fulfilling obligations toward oneself and others.
2: Correct - Correct: ṛta denotes universal order and regularity, linked to truth and morality.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - omits supported item 2.
B: Incorrect - omits supported item 1.
C: Correct - includes the supported statements and excludes the unsupported ones.
D: Incorrect - omits supported items 1, 2.