CDS 2025 · PYQ · Ancient India / Buddhism · medium
Which one of the following statements about the Buddhist Goddess Hariti is correct ?
A.She was converted by the Buddha from a blood-thirsty yakshi to a benevolent maternal figure.✓ Correct
B.She is the feminine personification of wisdom.
C.She protects people from eight great fears.
D.She is a warrior goddess associated with the dawn.
Explanation
According to Buddhist tradition, Hariti was originally a child-eating yakshi (demoness) who terrorised the people of Rajagriha. The Buddha taught her compassion by hiding her own youngest son, making her experience the grief of losing a child. This transformed her, and she became a benevolent maternal deity, a protector of children and patron of mothers and childbirth. The personification of wisdom in Buddhism is Prajnaparamita, and the goddess who protects from eight great fears is Tara. Hariti is not associated with dawn.
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