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The Skanda Purana is recognized as the smallest among the eighteen Mahapuranas.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the assertion, the Skanda Purana is recognized as the largest among the eighteen Mahapuranas, not the smallest.
Skanda, the deity for whom the Skanda Purana is named, is a daughter of Shiva and Parvati.
Answer: False
Explanation: Skanda, the deity for whom the Skanda Purana is named, is a son of Shiva and Parvati, not a daughter.
The Skanda Purana contains approximately 50,000 verses.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Skanda Purana is a substantial text, containing significantly more than 50,000 verses; it comprises over 81,000 verses.
Skanda is also known as Murugan in Sanskrit literature.
Answer: False
Explanation: Skanda is known as Murugan primarily in Tamil literature, not Sanskrit literature.
Within the corpus of Hindu religious texts, what is the Skanda Purana primarily recognized as?
Answer: The largest of the eighteen Mahapuranas, significant in Shaivite literature.
Explanation: The Skanda Purana is primarily recognized as the largest of the eighteen Mahapuranas and holds significant importance within Shaivite literature.
Who is Skanda, the deity for whom the Skanda Purana is named?
Answer: A son of Shiva and Parvati, also known as Murugan in Tamil.
Explanation: Skanda, the deity for whom the Skanda Purana is named, is a son of Shiva and Parvati, also known as Murugan in Tamil literature.
What is the approximate number of verses contained within the Skanda Purana?
Answer: Over 81,000 verses.
Explanation: The Skanda Purana contains a substantial number of verses, estimated to be over 81,000.
The Skanda Purana has had minimal influence on Hindu traditions and rituals.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Skanda Purana has exerted considerable influence on Hindu traditions and rituals throughout history.
Scholars believe the earliest version of the Skanda Purana dates back to the 12th century CE.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scholars suggest that the earliest text identified as the Skanda Purana likely existed by the 8th century CE, predating the 12th century.
The Skanda Purana that exists today is a single, unchanging text that has survived unchanged for centuries.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Skanda Purana exists in numerous versions today, indicating extensive editing and evolution over centuries, rather than being a single, unchanging text.
The sage Vyasa is traditionally credited with composing the Skanda Purana.
Answer: True
Explanation: Traditional attribution, consistent with the composition of many other Puranas, credits the sage Vyasa with the authorship of the Skanda Purana.
An 8th-century CE palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana was discovered in India, providing evidence of its early existence.
Answer: False
Explanation: While evidence of the Skanda Purana's early existence is supported by an 8th-century CE palm-leaf manuscript, this manuscript was discovered in Nepal, not India.
The oldest surviving palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana dates to the late 9th century CE.
Answer: False
Explanation: The oldest surviving palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana, discovered in Nepal, is dated to approximately 810 CE, which falls within the early 9th century CE, not the late 9th century.
The old palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana found in Nepal was written in the Brahmi script.
Answer: False
Explanation: The old palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana discovered in Nepal was written in the Gupta script, not the Brahmi script.
The oldest versions of Skandapurana texts have been discovered primarily in South India.
Answer: False
Explanation: The oldest versions of Skandapurana texts have been discovered primarily in the Himalayan region (Nepal) and northeastern India, not predominantly in South India.
Scholarly critical editions of the Skandapurana primarily rely on manuscripts originating from Tibet.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scholarly critical editions of the Skandapurana predominantly rely on manuscripts originating from Nepal, not Tibet.
New texts styling themselves as 'khandas' (sections) of the Skandapurana began appearing before the 10th century CE.
Answer: False
Explanation: Texts styling themselves as 'khandas' (sections) of the Skandapurana began to appear after the 12th century CE, not before the 10th century.
The Revakhanda and Ambikakhanda are later additions that expanded the earliest known recension of the Skanda Purana.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Revakhanda and Ambikakhanda are indeed recognized as later additions that expanded upon the earliest known recension of the Skanda Purana.
Ballala Sena quoted content exclusively from the Revakhanda and Ambikakhanda, suggesting their existence before the 12th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The fact that Ballala Sena quoted content exclusively from the Revakhanda and Ambikakhanda recensions strongly suggests their existence prior to the 12th century.
Pinpointing an exact composition date for the Skanda Purana is easy due to its consistent structure across all versions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pinpointing an exact composition date for the Skanda Purana is challenging, not easy, due to its consistent structure across all versions. The text has accumulated additions over centuries, leading to diverse versions.
Mythology found in the current Skanda Purana suggests parts were composed during the Gupta period.
Answer: False
Explanation: The mythology found in the current Skanda Purana suggests parts were composed during the post-Gupta period, aligning with characteristics of medieval South India, rather than the Gupta period itself.
The latest portions of the Skanda Purana were composed no later than the 10th century CE.
Answer: False
Explanation: The latest portions of the Skanda Purana may have been composed as late as the 15th century CE, not necessarily no later than the 10th century.
The oldest 1st-millennium palm-leaf manuscripts of the Skanda Purana mention the Kailash-Manasarovar pilgrimage site.
Answer: False
Explanation: The oldest 1st-millennium palm-leaf manuscripts of the Skanda Purana do not mention the Kailash-Manasarovar pilgrimage site, although they do mention other major sites.
The Skanda Purana manuscript found in Nepal is written in the Pali language.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Skanda Purana manuscript found in Nepal is written in Sanskrit, not the Pali language.
The image caption 'A page from the Ganga Mahatmya section of Skanda Purana in Sanskrit language and Devanagari script' describes a manuscript in Tamil script.
Answer: False
Explanation: The image caption accurately describes a manuscript in Sanskrit and Devanagari script, not Tamil script.
A leaf from a palm leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana is described as being bound by a metal chain.
Answer: False
Explanation: A leaf from a palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana is described as being bound by a thin rope, not a metal chain.
Which of the following best describes the nature of the Skanda Purana in the modern era?
Answer: It exists in multiple versions, indicating continuous editing and evolution.
Explanation: In the modern era, the Skanda Purana exists in multiple versions, reflecting its continuous editing and evolution over centuries, a characteristic that designates it as a 'living text'.
Who is traditionally credited with the composition of the Skanda Purana?
Answer: Sage Vyasa
Explanation: Traditionally, the composition of the Skanda Purana, like many other Puranas, is attributed to the sage Vyasa.
What discovery provides evidence that the Skanda Purana likely existed by the 8th century CE?
Answer: A palm-leaf manuscript written in Gupta script discovered in Nepal.
Explanation: The discovery of an 8th-century CE palm-leaf manuscript, written in Gupta script and found in Nepal, provides evidence that the Skanda Purana likely existed by that period.
The oldest surviving palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana found in Nepal is dated to approximately:
Answer: Early 9th century CE (around 810 CE)
Explanation: Scholarly dating places the oldest surviving palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana found in Nepal to approximately 810 CE, corresponding to the early 9th century CE.
What script was used for the old palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana discovered in Nepal?
Answer: Gupta script
Explanation: The old palm-leaf manuscript of the Skanda Purana discovered in Nepal was written in the Gupta script.
Where have the oldest versions of Skandapurana texts been primarily discovered?
Answer: In the Himalayan region, specifically Nepal, and northeastern India.
Explanation: The oldest versions of Skandapurana texts have been primarily discovered in the Himalayan region, particularly Nepal, and also in northeastern India.
When did new texts styling themselves as 'khandas' (sections) of the Skandapurana begin to emerge?
Answer: After the 12th century CE
Explanation: New texts styling themselves as 'khandas' (sections) of the Skandapurana began to emerge after the 12th century CE.
Which two versions are mentioned as later expansions of the earliest known recension of the Skanda Purana?
Answer: The Revakhanda and the Ambikakhanda
Explanation: The Revakhanda and the Ambikakhanda are mentioned as later expansions of the earliest known recension of the Skanda Purana.
Why is it difficult to pinpoint an exact composition date for the Skanda Purana?
Answer: The original text has accumulated additions over centuries, creating diverse versions.
Explanation: It is difficult to pinpoint an exact composition date for the Skanda Purana because the original text has accumulated numerous additions over centuries, resulting in diverse versions.
What does the mythology in the current Skanda Purana suggest about its composition timeline?
Answer: It reflects mythology primarily from the post-Gupta period, characteristic of medieval South India.
Explanation: The mythology present in the current Skanda Purana suggests that parts of it were composed during the post-Gupta period, reflecting characteristics of medieval South India.
What is the significance of the Skanda Purana among dated manuscripts discovered in Nepal?
Answer: It is among the oldest dated manuscripts discovered.
Explanation: The Skanda Purana holds significance among dated manuscripts discovered in Nepal as it is recognized as one of the oldest.
One tradition organizes the Skanda Purana into six 'saṃhitās', each containing several 'khaṇḍas'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, one tradition for organizing the Skanda Purana corpus divides it into six 'saṃhitās', with each containing several 'khaṇḍas'.
The Viṣṇu Khaṇḍa (or Vaiṣṇava Khaṇḍa) is composed of only three distinct sections.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Viṣṇu Khaṇḍa (or Vaiṣṇava Khaṇḍa) is composed of nine distinct sections, not merely three.
Manuscripts are extant for all six traditional 'saṃhitās' of the Skanda Purana.
Answer: False
Explanation: Manuscripts are not extant for all six traditional 'saṃhitās'; extant manuscripts are known for only four of them.
The 1910 edition of the Skanda Purana is divided into seven khaṇḍas, including the Maheśvara, Viṣṇu, and Kashi Khandas.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1910 edition of the Skanda Purana is indeed divided into seven khaṇḍas, which include the Maheśvara, Viṣṇu, and Kashi Khandas.
How is the corpus of the Skanda Purana traditionally organized according to one common tradition?
Answer: Into six 'saṃhitās', each containing several 'khaṇḍas'.
Explanation: According to one common tradition, the corpus of the Skanda Purana is organized into six 'saṃhitās', each containing several 'khaṇḍas'.
The Viṣṇu Khaṇḍa (or Vaiṣṇava Khaṇḍa) of the Skanda Purana is composed of how many distinct sections?
Answer: Nine
Explanation: The Viṣṇu Khaṇḍa (or Vaiṣṇava Khaṇḍa) comprises nine distinct sections.
The 1910 edition of the Skanda Purana is divided into seven parts known as:
Answer: Khaṇḍas
Explanation: The 1910 edition of the Skanda Purana is divided into seven parts known as 'khaṇḍas'.
Editions of the Skanda Purana primarily function as theological treatises with no practical information.
Answer: False
Explanation: Editions of the Skanda Purana frequently function as encyclopedic travel guides, providing detailed 'Tirtha Mahatmya' (pilgrimage guides) that describe geographical locations of sacred sites, contrary to the assertion that they contain no practical information.
The Kashi Khanda is estimated to have achieved its current form around the mid-13th century CE.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Kashi Khanda, a significant section of the Skanda Purana, is estimated to have reached its present form around the mid-13th century CE.
The Maheśvara Khaṇḍa consists of three sections, including one associated with the Kedarnath Tirtha region.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Maheśvara Khaṇḍa is structured into three sections, one of which is the Kedāra Khaṇḍa, associated with the Kedarnath Tirtha region.
The Kashi Khanda is associated with the pilgrimage regions of Varanasi and the Vindhya Range.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Kashi Khanda is indeed associated with the pilgrimage regions of Varanasi and the Vindhya Range.
The Nāgara Khaṇḍa comprises 279 chapters and focuses on the Hātakeśvara-kṣetra in the Vadnagar region.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Nāgara Khaṇḍa does comprise 279 chapters and focuses on the Hātakeśvara-kṣetra in the Vadnagar region.
The Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa is divided into four sections, including one related to the Girnar region.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa is divided into four sections, one of which, the Vastrāpathakṣetramāhātmya, is related to the Girnar region.
The Himavat Khaṇḍa includes the Nepālamāhātmya, focusing on the Nepal Tirtha region.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Himavat Khaṇḍa does include the Nepālamāhātmya, which focuses on the Nepal Tirtha region.
The Kaverimahatmya describes pilgrimage sites related to the Godavari river.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Kaverimahatmya describes pilgrimage sites related to the Kaveri river region, not the Godavari river.
The Manasakhanda is a section in later versions of the Skanda Purana that specifically mentions Kailash-Manasarovar.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Manasakhanda, a section found in later versions of the Skanda Purana, specifically mentions Kailash-Manasarovar.
The Skanda Purana contains detailed descriptions of geographical locations for pilgrimage centers in India, Nepal, and Tibet.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Skanda Purana indeed contains detailed descriptions of geographical locations for pilgrimage centers across India, Nepal, and Tibet.
The Arunācala Khaṇḍa is divided into two parts: the Pūrvārdha and the Uttarārdha.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Arunācala Khaṇḍa is divided into two parts: the Pūrvārdha and the Uttarārdha.
The Avantya Khaṇḍa primarily focuses on the Ujjain Tirtha region.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Avantya Khaṇḍa indeed primarily focuses on the Ujjain Tirtha region.
What kind of practical information is notably found within editions of the Skanda Purana?
Answer: Encyclopedic travel guides for pilgrimage sites ('Tirtha Mahatmya').
Explanation: Editions of the Skanda Purana notably contain practical information in the form of encyclopedic travel guides, known as 'Tirtha Mahatmya,' which detail pilgrimage sites.
The Kashi Khanda, a significant part of the Skanda Purana, is estimated to have reached its present form around which time?
Answer: Mid-13th century CE
Explanation: The Kashi Khanda, a significant section of the Skanda Purana, is estimated to have reached its present form around the mid-13th century CE.
Which pilgrimage region is associated with the Kaumārikā Khaṇḍa within the Maheśvara Khaṇḍa?
Answer: Mahisagara-samgama-tirtha (Cambay) region
Explanation: The Kaumārikā Khaṇḍa, part of the Maheśvara Khaṇḍa, is associated with the Mahisagara-samgama-tirtha, also known as the Cambay region.
Which of the following pilgrimage regions is NOT explicitly associated with a section of the Viṣṇu Khaṇḍa in the source?
Answer: Ujjain (Āvantyakṣetramāhātmya)
Explanation: The Ujjain Tirtha region (Āvantyakṣetramāhātmya) is not explicitly associated with a section of the Viṣṇu Khaṇḍa in the provided source material, unlike Tirupati, Puri, Badrinath, Mathura, and Ayodhya.
The Nāgara Khaṇḍa, containing 279 chapters, focuses on the Tirtha-māhātmyā of which region?
Answer: The Hātakeśvara-kṣetra in the Vadnagar region
Explanation: The Nāgara Khaṇḍa, comprising 279 chapters, focuses on the Tirtha-māhātmya of the Hātakeśvara-kṣetra in the Vadnagar region.
Which of the following pilgrimage regions is central to the Āvantya Khaṇḍa?
Answer: Āvantya Khaṇḍa
Explanation: The Āvantya Khaṇḍa is primarily focused on the Ujjain Tirtha region.
The Skanda Purana covers a narrow range of topics, focusing solely on the mythology of Skanda.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Skanda Purana covers a broad spectrum of subjects, including cosmogony, mythology, genealogy, dharma, festivals, gemology, temples, geography, and theological discussions concerning Shiva's nature, rather than a narrow range focused solely on Skanda's mythology.
The Skanda Purana shares stylistic similarities with the Ramayana, using similar stock phrases.
Answer: False
Explanation: Stylistically, the Skanda Purana shares similarities with the Mahabharata, utilizing similar stock phrases and compounds, rather than the Ramayana.
According to the Skanda Purana, a 'Manas Tirtha' is related to physical holy places like Benaras or Hardwar.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 'Manas Tirtha,' according to the Skanda Purana, refers to a Tirtha of the mind, encompassing virtues like truth, charity, and compassion, rather than being related to physical holy places like Benaras or Hardwar, which are examples of Sthawar Tirthas.
The Skanda Purana discusses philosophical questions concerning virtues, vices, and the nature of evil.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Skanda Purana does indeed discuss philosophical questions concerning virtues, vices, and the nature of evil, among other theological topics.
Traditional legends within the Skanda Purana include the story of the demon Tarakasura and the birth of Goddess Parvati.
Answer: True
Explanation: Traditional legends within the Skanda Purana indeed include narratives such as the story of the demon Tarakasura and the birth of Goddess Parvati.
According to Hans Bakker, the primary aim of the Skandapurana text is to detail the philosophical doctrines of Shaivism.
Answer: False
Explanation: According to Hans Bakker, the primary aim of the Skandapurana text is to sanctify the geography of South Asia and legitimize regional Shaiva communities, not solely to detail philosophical doctrines of Shaivism.
The Skanda Purana reflects societal dynamics such as competition with Vaishnavism during its composition periods.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Skanda Purana reflects societal dynamics, including competition with Vaishnavism, during its composition periods.
An English translation of the Skanda Purana was published in 23 volumes between 1999 and 2003.
Answer: True
Explanation: An English translation of the Skanda Purana was published in 23 volumes between 1999 and 2003 by Motilal Banarsidass.
The editors of the first volume of the critical edition of The Skandapurāṇa include Hans T. Bakker.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hans T. Bakker is indeed listed among the editors of the first volume of the critical edition of The Skandapurāṇa.
Volume IIb of the critical edition of The Skandapurāṇa covers adhyāyas 1-25.
Answer: False
Explanation: Volume IIb of the critical edition of The Skandapurāṇa covers adhyāyas 31-52, not adhyāyas 1-25.
The Bhagavata Purana and Shiva Purana are listed as related texts to the Skanda Purana.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Bhagavata Purana and Shiva Purana are indeed listed as related texts to the Skanda Purana in the provided context.
For scholarly critical editions of the Skandapurana, which manuscripts are primarily relied upon?
Answer: Manuscripts originating from Nepal
Explanation: Scholarly critical editions of the Skandapurana predominantly rely on manuscripts that originate from Nepal.
Stylistically, the Skanda Purana is noted to share similarities with which epic text, rather than another?
Answer: The Mahabharata, using similar stock phrases and compounds.
Explanation: Stylistically, the Skanda Purana is noted to share similarities with the Mahabharata, employing similar stock phrases and compounds, rather than the Ramayana.
What are the three types of 'Tirtha' mentioned in the Skanda Purana?
Answer: Jangam (movable), Sthawar (immovable), and Manas (of the mind)
Explanation: The Skanda Purana mentions three types of 'Tirtha': Jangam (movable), Sthawar (immovable), and Manas (of the mind).
What is the central aim of the Skandapurana text, according to Hans Bakker?
Answer: To sanctify the geography of South Asia and legitimize regional Shaiva communities.
Explanation: According to Hans Bakker, the central aim of the Skandapurana text is to sanctify the geography of South Asia and legitimize regional Shaiva communities.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a traditional legend found within the Skanda Purana?
Answer: The story of Rama's exile to the forest
Explanation: The story of Rama's exile to the forest is not listed among the traditional legends found within the Skanda Purana, unlike the legends of Daksha's sacrifice, the demon Tarakasura, and the birth of Parvati.
The Skanda Purana reflects societal dynamics such as competition with which other major Hindu tradition?
Answer: Vaishnavism
Explanation: The Skanda Purana reflects societal dynamics, including competition with Vaishnavism, during its composition periods.
Which of the following is listed as a related text to the Skanda Purana in the 'See also' section?
Answer: The Shiva Purana
Explanation: The Shiva Purana is listed as a related text to the Skanda Purana in the 'See also' section, alongside the Bhagavata Purana, Devi Mahatmya, and Kandapuranam.