RAS question
Jainism's five vows (Pancha Mahavrata) include all EXCEPT:
Correct answer: (A) Worship of Vedic gods.
Worship of Vedic gods is not one of Jainism's five Mahavrata, which are ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha.
Explanation
Jainism's five Mahavrata are the great vows, and Britannica identifies them as vows of noninjury, abstention from lying and stealing, chastity, and renunciation of all possessions. The standard list is ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. These vows define ethical discipline in Jainism, especially for monks, while laypeople observe modified forms called Anuvrata. Worship of Vedic gods does not belong in this list; Jainism does not require such worship and rejects Vedic authority. Therefore, the odd option is not a Jain vow but an idea outside the Pancha Mahavrata framework.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Aparigraha is a genuine Mahavrata because the five vows include renunciation of possessions or non-possessiveness.
- (C) Satya is a genuine Mahavrata because the five vows include abstention from lying, or commitment to truth.
- (D) Ahimsa is a genuine Mahavrata because noninjury or non-violence is part of the five great vows.
Concept
This tests the ancient Indian religion section of the RAS syllabus, especially Jain doctrine and ethical vocabulary. It recurs because RAS often frames Buddhism-Jainism questions around core terms rather than dates alone.