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RAS question

Consider the following statements about Indian value concepts: I. 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) is a concept found in the Maha Upanishad II. 'Sarva Dharma Sambhava' (equal respect for all religions) is a concept explicitly stated in the Rigveda III. 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharma' (non-violence is the supreme duty) appears as a concept in Mahabharata Which of the above statements are correct?

Correct answer: (B) I and III only.

Only statements I and III are correct: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is found in the Maha Upanishad, while Ahimsa Paramo Dharma appears in the Mahabharata.

  1. (A)

    I and II only

  2. (B)

    I and III only

  3. (C)

    II and III only

  4. (D)

    I, II and III

Explanation

The question turns on whether each value phrase is correctly tied to its textual source. Statement I is correct because Prime Minister of India says the theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", rendered as "One Earth One Family One Future", is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. It is also placed at Maha Upanishad 6.71, with the sense of the world as one family. Statement III is correct because Ahimsa Paramo Dharma is a maxim appearing in the Mahabharata, including the Adi Parva and Anushasan Parva. Statement II is the trap: Sarva Dharma Sambhava is not explicitly stated in the Rigveda; it is described here as a modern phrase popularised by Mahatma Gandhi, drawing on a wider Rigvedic spirit rather than appearing verbatim.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) Option A includes statement II, but Sarva Dharma Sambhava is not explicitly stated in the Rigveda, and it also leaves out statement III, which is correct.
  • (C) Option C excludes statement I even though Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is identified with the Maha Upanishad, and it includes statement II, which is not explicitly Rigvedic.
  • (D) Option D treats all three statements as correct, but statement II fails because the phrase Sarva Dharma Sambhava is not found verbatim in the Rigveda.

Concept

This tests source-based identification of Indian ethical and civilisational value concepts, a recurring RAS theme in ancient Indian history and culture. Such questions often reward precision about whether an idea is scriptural, later traditional, or modern in formulation.

Source

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