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UGC JRF NET Paper 1 chapter1 Teaching Aptitude free mock test 1 - 2
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UGC JRF NET Paper 1 chapter1 Teaching Aptitude free mock test 1 - 2
Ṛṇa and Saṁskāras – Runa Karmas
In Hindu philosophy, Ṛṇa (ऋण) means debt or obligation, and Saṁskāras (संस्कार) refer to sacraments or rites of passage that purify and refine an individual’s life. Ṛṇa Saṁskāras are the obligations and rituals that one must perform to repay different kinds of debts. These concepts are deeply rooted in the Vedas, Smritis, and Dharma Shastras.
Hinduism teaches that every person is born with certain Ṛṇas (debts) that they must clear through proper actions (karma) and rituals (saṁskāras) to attain moksha (liberation).
1. Three Types of Ṛṇas (Debts) in Hindu Tradition
According to the Vedas and Smriti texts (like Manusmriti and Taittiriya Samhita), every human being is born with three primary debts:
A. Deva Ṛṇa (Debt to the Gods)
B. Rishi Ṛṇa (Debt to the Sages and Teachers)
C. Pitru Ṛṇa (Debt to the Ancestors)
2. Additional Ṛṇas (Other Debts Mentioned in Scriptures)
Some texts also mention two additional debts, making a total of five Ṛṇas:
D. Manushya Ṛṇa (Debt to Society and Fellow Humans)
E. Bhuta Ṛṇa (Debt to Nature and Living Beings)
3. Saṁskāras – The 16 Hindu Rites of Passage
To fulfill these Ṛṇas, Hinduism prescribes 16 Saṁskāras (rites of passage). These rituals help purify the soul and align a person with dharma.
A. Pre-Birth Saṁskāras
B. Childhood Saṁskāras
C. Educational Saṁskāras
D. Adulthood Saṁskāras
E. Later Life Saṁskāras
Each Saṁskāra plays a role in fulfilling a person’s Ṛṇas and moving them towards moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).
4. Importance of Ṛṇa and Saṁskāras in Hindu Life
A. Spiritual Importance
B. Social Importance
C. Environmental and Cosmic Harmony
5. Modern Interpretation and Practice
Conclusion
Ṛṇa and Saṁskāras are integral to Hindu life, guiding individuals to live ethically, spiritually, and responsibly. By fulfilling these debts, one not only gains inner peace but also contributes to universal harmony and spiritual progress.
1. A person is
actively engaged in charity work, feeding the poor, and helping society. Which
Ṛṇa is he primarily fulfilling?
✅ Answer: c) Manushya Ṛṇa
📖 Manushya Ṛṇa is the debt owed to fellow human beings and society.
It is repaid through selfless service, charity, and helping others.
2. A student
dedicates his life to the study and teaching of the Vedas. He is primarily
repaying which Ṛṇa?
✅ Answer: b) Rishi Ṛṇa
📖 Rishi Ṛṇa is the debt to sages and teachers who preserved
knowledge. Teaching and spreading wisdom fulfills this Ṛṇa.
3. A person
plants trees, cares for animals, and avoids harming nature. This is a way to
repay:
✅ Answer: b) Bhuta Ṛṇa
📖 Bhuta Ṛṇa is the debt to nature, animals, and all living beings.
It is repaid through environmental conservation and kindness to animals.
4. Performing
"Tarpana" and "Shraddha" rituals for ancestors helps in
repaying:
✅ Answer: a) Pitru Ṛṇa
📖 Pitru Ṛṇa is the debt to one’s ancestors. It is fulfilled through
performing ancestral rites, honoring lineage, and having children to continue
the family line.
5. A Hindu family
celebrates the "Annaprashana" ceremony for their child. What does
this ceremony signify?
✅ Answer: c) The first solid food intake
📖 Annaprashana is a Saṁskāra that marks the first feeding of solid
food to an infant, typically performed in the 6th or 7th month.
6. A young boy,
around 8 years old, undergoes a sacred thread ceremony (Upanayana). This marks
his entry into which phase?
✅ Answer: b) Brahmacharya
📖 Upanayana marks the beginning of student life (Brahmacharya),
where a child starts Vedic education under a Guru.
7. A person
completes their formal education and enters family life. Which Saṁskāra marks
this transition?
✅ Answer: a) Samavartana
📖 Samavartana is the graduation ceremony marking the completion of
formal education and readiness for household life.
8. A Hindu monk
renounces all worldly possessions and wears saffron robes. Which Saṁskāra has
he undergone?
✅ Answer: b) Sannyasa
📖 Sannyasa Saṁskāra marks the renunciation of material life,
signifying the pursuit of moksha.
9. A person is
not able to perform traditional Shraddha rituals for their ancestors but wants
to fulfill Pitru Ṛṇa. What is an alternative way to do so?
✅ Answer: c) Take care of elderly people in society
📖 Serving elders, adopting orphans, and helping the elderly are
alternative ways to fulfill Pitru Ṛṇa.
10. A young
woman is interested in Vedic studies and wants to teach others. Which Ṛṇa is
she primarily fulfilling?
✅ Answer: c) Rishi Ṛṇa
📖 Rishi Ṛṇa is fulfilled by preserving and spreading spiritual and
intellectual knowledge.
11. A person is
deeply engaged in temple worship, performing yajnas and homas. Which Ṛṇa is
being fulfilled?
✅ Answer: c) Deva Ṛṇa
📖 Deva Ṛṇa is the debt to gods and cosmic forces, repaid through
worship and rituals.
12. In today’s
world, what is the most practical way to repay Bhuta Ṛṇa?
✅ Answer: a) Protecting and feeding animals
📖 Kindness to animals, tree plantation, and environmental
conservation help repay Bhuta Ṛṇa.
13. Why is
fulfilling Ṛṇa important in Hindu Dharma?
✅ Answer: b) It helps maintain social and cosmic balance
📖 Fulfilling Ṛṇas ensures harmony in life and aligns with the
concept of dharma.
14. Why is
Vivaha (marriage) considered an essential Saṁskāra?
✅ Answer: b) It continues family lineage and social responsibilities
📖 Marriage helps fulfill Pitru Ṛṇa by continuing the family lineage
and taking social responsibilities.
15. What is the
significance of Antyeshti Saṁskāra?
✅ Answer: b) It marks the end of life and liberation of the soul
📖 Antyeshti is the final Saṁskāra that ensures the proper transition
of the soul.
16. In modern
times, how can a person fulfill Rishi Ṛṇa without studying scriptures?
✅ Answer: a) Supporting educational institutions
📖 Donating to schools, libraries, or helping spread knowledge repays
Rishi Ṛṇa.
17. A person is
devoted to serving his parents, ensuring their comfort and well-being. He is
fulfilling:
✅ Answer: b) Pitru Ṛṇa
📖 Respecting and caring for parents fulfills Pitru Ṛṇa.
5. Mixed-Concept Questions
18. What is the
relationship between Saṁskāras and Ṛṇas?
✅ Answer: a) Performing Saṁskāras helps in repaying Ṛṇas
📖 Many Saṁskāras, such as Upanayana (education) and Vivaha
(marriage), help fulfill Ṛṇas.
19. If a person
chooses not to marry and dedicates life to spirituality, which Ṛṇa might remain
unfulfilled?
✅ Answer: b) Pitru Ṛṇa
📖 Not marrying and continuing the family lineage may leave Pitru Ṛṇa
unfulfilled.
20. What is the
deeper purpose of fulfilling all Ṛṇas?
✅ Answer: c) Attaining Moksha (liberation)
📖 By fulfilling all Ṛṇas, one balances dharma and progresses towards
moksha.
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