Consider the following statements:

Question

1. There are no parables in Upanishads.

2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

(b) 2 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Incorrect. The Upanishads do contain parables and stories to illustrate philosophical ideas and teachings. For example, the story of Nachiketa in the Katha Upanishad is a well-known parable.

• Statement 2: Correct. The Upanishads, which form the philosophical part of the Vedas, were composed during the later Vedic period (approximately 800-200 BCE). The Puranas, on the other hand, were composed much later, starting from the early centuries of the Common Era (circa 300-1500 CE).

Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 2 only.