Characteristics of Indian Literature 2 Flashcards
Q: What is expected to happen when Vishnu’s tenth avatar appears?
A: He will descend from heaven to destroy the present world and restore peace and purity.
Q: What is the Mahabharata about?
A: It tells the story of a civil war that might have taken place during the Aryan occupation of India.
Q: Who are the main characters in the Mahabharata?
A: Two rival bands of brothers, descendants of King Pandu.
Q: Why did the five brothers in the Mahabharata go into exile?
A: Their uncle, the regent, and his sons coveted the kingdom for themselves.
Q: How does the Mahabharata compare to European epics?
A: It is longer than all the combined epics of Europe.
Q: Which avatar of Vishnu plays a major role in the Mahabharata?
Krishna
Q: What is the Ramayana about?
A: The adventures of Rama and his wife, Sita.
Q: Who is Rama?
A: The hero of the Ramayana and an avatar of Vishnu.
Q: How was Sita born, according to legend?
A: She was born of a furrow, as the child of Mother Earth.
Q: What is Sita regarded as in Indian culture?
A: The perfect symbol of wifely devotion and self-sacrifice.
