Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion and the other is labelled as Reason:
Assertion: Twelve avatars of Vishnu were recognised within the Vaishnavism tradition.
Reason: Recognising each of these local deities as a form of Vishnu was one way of creating a more unified religious tradition.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option 3 - The Assertion is incorrect but the Reason is correct.
Assertion: Twelve avatars of Vishnu were recognised within the Vaishnavism tradition. (Incorrect)
Reason: Recognising each of these local deities as a form of Vishnu was one way of creating a more unified religious tradition. (Correct)
CORRECTION in Assertion: TEN, not twelve avatars of Vishnu were recognised within the Vaishnavism tradition. (Incorrect)
Vaishnavism and Shaivism are two prominent forms of Hinduism, where Vishnu and Shiva, respectively, hold central positions as the primary deities. These traditions have seen a growing emphasis on the worship of chosen deities, characterized by a bond of love and devotion called bhakti.
In Vaishnavism, various avatars or incarnations of Vishnu became the focus of cults. Ten avatars were acknowledged within this tradition, representing forms assumed by the deity to save the world from disorder and destruction caused by evil forces. Different avatars gained popularity in different regions, contributing to a sense of unity in the religious tradition by recognizing local deities as forms of Vishnu.
Sculptures played a significant role in representing these deities. Shiva, for example, was symbolized by the linga, although human representations were also occasionally used. These sculptures conveyed intricate concepts about the deities and their attributes through symbols such as head-dresses, ornaments, and ayudhas (weapons or auspicious objects they hold), as well as their seated postures, etc.