Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q45 (CDS-I/2025) History & Culture › Culture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy › Buddhist doctrine and sects Answer Verified

Which one of the following statements about the Buddhist Goddess Hariti is correct ?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: A
Explanation

Hariti was originally a malevolent yakshi (demoness) in Rajgir who devoured the children of others to feed her own five hundred offspring [1]. According to Buddhist legend, the Buddha hid her youngest and most beloved child to make her experience the same grief she inflicted on human mothers [1]. This encounter led to her conversion, where she vowed to cease her predatory habits and became a benevolent protector of children, fertility, and easy childbirth. She is frequently depicted in Buddhist monasteries as a matronly figure surrounded by children, often receiving food offerings as part of monastic rituals [1]. While other Buddhist goddesses exist, such as Prajnaparamita (the personification of wisdom) or Marichi (associated with the dawn), Hariti's specific narrative is defined by her transformation from a blood-thirsty ogress to a maternal guardian [1].

Sources

  1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > 1.2 Difference and conflict > p. 142
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
60%
got it right
✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2020 · Q72 Relevance score: 1.36

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2003 · Q43 Relevance score: 0.85

Consider the following statements 1. Vardhamana Mahavira’s mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka. 2. Goutama Buddha’s mother was a princess from the Kosha-lan dynasty. 3. Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, belonged to Banaras. Which of these statements is/are correct?

IAS · 2004 · Q24 Relevance score: 0.71

Consider the following statements: 1. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council held by Kanishka. 2. The Chinese pilgrim Huen-Tsangmet Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2016 · Q50 Relevance score: 0.49

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. 2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment. 3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?