Read the passage and answer the question given below:
Each civilization seems to have a genius for some particular aspect of life. Ancient Greece was devoted to art, and Rome to politics. But while these civilizations, and others pursuing similar ideals, perished and form now but dead chapters of history, India has stood like a 'Rock of Ages', weathering many a fierce storms, because her foundations are the eternal values of philosophy and religion, and not the shifting sands of the secular arts of beauty or governance. It is not that every Indian all the time was a philosopher or a man of the spirit: nor that wealth (artha) and pleasure (kama) were not pursued by people in India. But there seems to be something in her very soil and air which makes a man at some stage or other in his life realize the futility of finite ends and seek for righteousness (dharma) and there through release (moksa) from finitude. Even if the average man would forget this higher call, there have appeared in India, in an unbroken succession, spiritual leaders to remind him of his true end and show him the way. 'The greatest men of India have always been not distinguished statesmen, valiant warriors, or astute merchants, but the messengers of the Spirit who appeal to the fundamental unity of all in the basic Reality which is spiritual, and a comprehensiveness of outlook which knows no narrow distinctions. They are the true bearers of culture which is sweetness and light---sweetness that expresses itself as universal love, and light that is spiritual wisdom. Their call is not to "my clan" or to "my community", but to the whole of humanity.
The term 'higher call' refers to :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → release from finitude
The passage says that something in India makes a man realise the futility of finite ends, seek righteousness (dharma) and through it release (moksa) from finitude. The next sentence calls this "this higher call": the call to rise above limited, worldly ends to final freedom. Finitude means the state of having limits, as all worldly life has.
Example: The poet often wrote about human finitude and the shortness of life.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: release from wealth and pleasure — Incorrect. Misread: the passage does not ask for release from wealth and pleasure; it says these were pursued in India too. The release it speaks of is from finitude.
Option 2: pursuit of wealth and pleasure — Incorrect. Wrong link: wealth (artha) and pleasure (kama) are the finite ends that the higher call leads a man beyond.
Option 3: futility of finite ends — Incorrect. Wrong focus: realising this futility is the first step that awakens a man; it is not the call itself.