A philosopher named Ajita Kesakambalin taught: "A human being is made up of the four elements. When he dies the earthy in him returns to the earth, the fluid to water, the heat to fire, the windy to air, and his senses pass into space ...". Ajita Kesakambalin belonged to which tradition?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Lokayatas
Option (1) Ajivikas — Incorrect. The Ajivikas, described as fatalists who believe that everything is predetermined, were the tradition of Makkhali Gosala, the other teacher in the same Buddhist text, not of Ajita Kesakambalin.
Option (2) Lokayatas — Correct. Ajita Kesakambalin taught that a human being is made of four elements that return to earth, water, fire and air at death, and that nothing survives after death. He belonged to the tradition of the Lokayatas, usually described as materialists.
Option (3) Mahayana — Incorrect. Mahayana, the “great vehicle”, is a later form of Buddhism (from about the first century CE) in which the worship of images of the Buddha and Bodhisattas became important. It does not deny life after death.
Option (4) Theravadins — Incorrect. Theravadins were Buddhists of the older tradition, who followed the path of the old, respected teachers, the theras. They too were followers of the Buddha, not materialists.
NCERT: Themes in Indian History Part I — Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (2026-27)
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