Q110. Why are followers of the Śvetāmbara Jain sect called “Śvetāmbara”?
[OSSSC CRE – 2025]
A. They worship white stone only
B. Their monks traditionally wear white clothes
C. They reside only in western India
D. They reject image worship completely
Answer: B. Their monks traditionally wear white clothes
Explanation: Śvetāmbara literally means “white-clad.” Its monks and nuns wear white garments, distinguishing the tradition especially from Digambara ascetics, whose ideal requires complete renunciation of clothing.
Q109. Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism?
[SSC CGL – 2025]
A. Parshvanatha
B. Rishabhadeva
C. Sambhavanatha
D. Chandraprabha
Answer: B. Rishabhadeva
Explanation: Rishabhadeva, also called Rishabhanatha or Adinatha, occupies the first position among the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras and is represented iconographically by the bull symbol.
Q108. Who is regarded as the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of Jainism?
[UPSSSC PET – 2025]
A. Neminatha
B. Vardhamana Mahavira
C. Parshvanatha
D. Rishabhanatha
Answer: B. Vardhamana Mahavira
Explanation: Vardhamana Mahavira is the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of the present Jain time cycle. He reorganized and propagated the Jain religious community in the sixth century BCE.
Q107. At which place did Mahavira attain nirvana?
[UPSSSC PET – 2025]
A. Rajgir
B. Pavapuri
C. Vaishali
D. Sarnath
Answer: B. Pavapuri
Explanation: Jain tradition records Mahavira’s final liberation or nirvana at Pavapuri in present-day Bihar. The site remains one of the most revered pilgrimage centres of Jainism.
Q106. What is the traditional symbol of the twenty-third Tirthankara Parshvanatha?
[UPSSSC PET – 2025]
A. Bull
B. Lion
C. Snake
D. Horse
Answer: C. Snake
Explanation: Parshvanatha is identified iconographically by the serpent, frequently represented as a multi-hooded cobra sheltering his head, making his images easily distinguishable from most other Tirthankaras.
Q105. Which second-century BCE ruler of Kalinga was an important patron of Jainism?
[RRB NTPC UG – 2025]
A. Pushyamitra Shunga
B. Kharavela
C. Agnimitra
D. Menander
Answer: B. Kharavela
Explanation: Kharavela of Kalinga is closely associated with Jain patronage. His Hathigumpha inscription mentions religious activities, while Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves are strongly linked with Jain ascetic communities.
Q104. The Jain council held at Vallabhi for the compilation of the Śvetāmbara canon is traditionally regarded as which council?
[RRB NTPC UG – 2025]
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: B. Second
Explanation: Jain tradition generally identifies the Vallabhi assembly as the Second Jain Council. It is especially important because the surviving Śvetāmbara Agamas received their final canonical redaction there.
Q103. According to the traditional Śvetāmbara classification, how many Agamas comprise its canonical literature?
[RRB NTPC UG – 2025]
A. 6
B. 12
C. 35
D. 45
Answer: D. 45
Explanation: A traditional Śvetāmbara enumeration recognizes forty-five surviving canonical texts divided into categories such as Angas, Upangas, Chedasutras, Mulasutras and other canonical groups.
Q102. Which of the following forms one of the Three Jewels or Triratna of Jainism?
[UPSC CDS-I – 2025]
A. Samyag-darshana
B. Yajna
C. Bhakti alone
D. Vedic sacrifice
Answer: A. Samyag-darshana
Explanation: Jain Triratna consists of Samyak Darshana or Right Faith, Samyak Jnana or Right Knowledge, and Samyak Charitra or Right Conduct—the three essentials for liberation.
Q101. Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves near Bhubaneswar were originally associated principally with ascetics of which religion?
[SSC Stenographer – 2025]
A. Jainism
B. Sikhism
C. Zoroastrianism
D. Christianity
Answer: A. Jainism
Explanation: Many Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves were excavated for Jain monks, particularly under Kharavela and related patrons of ancient Kalinga, making them important evidence for early Jain monastic architecture.
