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Quizzes > Society & Culture

Hindu quiz: Test your knowledge of core beliefs and practices

Quick, free Hinduism test to check your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Patrick BrianUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Hinduism religion quiz on a coral background

This Hinduism quiz helps you check your grasp of ideas like dharma, karma, ahimsa, and the Trimurti, with instant results at the end. Want to dive deeper into stories and symbols? Try our Hindu mythology quiz or explore a focused challenge with the Hanuman quiz. If you enjoy comparing traditions, you might also like our broader world religions quiz.

What term describes the Hindu principle of nonviolence?
Moksha
Ahimsa
Dharma
Karma
In Hinduism, ahimsa is the practice of non-harm or nonviolence toward all living beings, and it is a central ethical principle in many schools of thought. It informs personal conduct and social ethics, influencing movements such as those led by Mahatma Gandhi. This principle is rooted in Vedic teachings and further elaborated upon in the Upanishads and Jain traditions.
Who are the three deities of the Hindu Trimurti?
Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Brahma, Rama, Krishna
Brahma, Krishna, Shiva
The Trimurti in Hinduism consists of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer or transformer, representing the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and dissolution. This triad underscores the cyclical nature of the universe and divine roles. Although devotion often centers on individual deities, the Trimurti concept highlights their interdependence.
Which sacred text is the oldest of the four Vedas?
Atharvaveda
Samaveda
Yajurveda
Rigveda
The Rigveda, composed around 1500 - 1200 BCE, is the oldest and most important of the four Vedas, containing hymns dedicated to various deities. Its verses form the basis for later Vedic rituals and philosophical ideas. Scholars consider it a key source for understanding early Indo-Aryan religion and society.
What is the term for the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hinduism?
Moksha
Karma
Samsara
Dharma
Samsara refers to the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by the law of karma. Liberation from samsara, known as moksha, is the ultimate goal in many Hindu traditions. This concept emphasizes moral action and spiritual knowledge as means to transcend worldly existence.
The Bhagavad Gita is part of which epic narrative?
Upanishads
Puranas
Mahabharata
Ramayana
The Bhagavad Gita appears in the Bhishma Parva section of the Mahabharata, where Krishna imparts spiritual wisdom to the warrior Arjuna. It is a foundational text for Hindu philosophy and ethics, blending the concepts of duty, devotion, and knowledge. It has influenced religious thought and practice across centuries.
In Hindu philosophy, what does the term 'dharma' most closely mean?
Divine creation
Cycle of rebirth
Duty and righteousness
Liberation
Dharma encompasses moral order, duty, law, and righteousness in Hindu thought. It guides individuals in their roles within family, society, and the cosmos. Upholding dharma is seen as essential for personal harmony and social stability.
Which concept in Advaita Vedanta emphasizes the oneness of Atman and Brahman?
Polytheism
Dualism
Monism
Theism
Advaita Vedanta teaches that the individual self (Atman) and ultimate reality (Brahman) are identical, a position known as monism or nondualism. This school was systematized by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. Realizing this unity is the path to liberation.
What does the term 'karma' literally mean in Sanskrit?
Liberation
Soul
Duty
Action or deed
Karma literally means 'action' or 'deed' in Sanskrit and refers to the moral law of cause and effect. In Hindu belief, every action generates consequences that affect one's future rebirths. Understanding karma underscores the importance of ethical living.
During which festival do Hindus celebrate the victory of light over darkness with lamps?
Holi
Diwali
Navaratri
Dussehra
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Lamps (diyas) are lit in homes and public spaces, and fireworks are common. The festival also marks new beginnings and is celebrated across India and by Hindus worldwide.
Which school of Hindu philosophy is known for its dualistic understanding of Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter)?
Vedanta
Mimamsa
Nyaya
Samkhya
The Samkhya school posits two eternal realities: Purusha (pure consciousness) and Prakriti (material nature). Liberation arises when Purusha realizes its distinction from Prakriti. Samkhya is one of the six classical darshanas of Hindu philosophy.
Which yoga path focuses primarily on devotion and love toward a personal deity?
Bhakti Yoga
Jnana Yoga
Raja Yoga
Karma Yoga
Bhakti Yoga emphasizes loving devotion (bhakti) to a personal god, such as Krishna or Shiva, as the means to spiritual liberation. This path involves prayers, chanting, and ritual worship. Bhakti movements have been influential throughout Indian history.
What is the primary purpose of a Vedic yajna ritual?
Meditation practice
Temple construction
Animal sacrifice
Offer oblations to deities through fire
A yajna in Vedic ritual involves offering ghee, grains, or other substances into a sacred fire, accompanied by chanting of mantras. It is intended to sustain the gods and maintain cosmic order. The fire ritual remains central to many Hindu ceremonies.
Which Upanishad is associated with the Mahavakya 'Aham Brahmasmi' ('I am Brahman')?
Mandukya Upanishad
Katha Upanishad
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Chandogya Upanishad
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad contains the Mahavakya 'Aham Brahmasmi,' emphasizing the identity of the individual self with ultimate reality. This teaching is central to Advaita Vedanta. The text is one of the oldest and most influential Upanishads.
Which Upanishad contains the Mahavakya 'Tat Tvam Asi' ('Thou art That')?
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Kena Upanishad
Kaushitaki Upanishad
Chandogya Upanishad
The Chandogya Upanishad is the source of the Mahavakya 'Tat Tvam Asi,' illustrating the nondual identity of the individual soul and Brahman. It presents dialogues that deepen understanding of ultimate reality. This phrase is foundational for Vedanta philosophy.
How many major Puranas are traditionally recognized in Hindu literature?
Eighteen
Thirty-three
Twenty-one
Four
There are eighteen Mahapuranas, or major Puranas, traditionally catalogued in Hindu literature, each focusing on various aspects of cosmology, genealogy, and mythology. They serve to elaborate on Vedic teachings in a more accessible narrative form. The number eighteen is symbolically significant in Hindu tradition.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Hindu Concepts -

    Gain a clear grasp of fundamental ideas like monism (Advaita), ahimsa (nonviolence), and the roles of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva in the Hindu Trinity.

  2. Differentiate Key Philosophical Principles -

    Distinguish between diverse schools of thought within Hinduism, recognizing how monism contrasts with other theological perspectives.

  3. Analyze the Role of the Hindu Trinity -

    Examine the symbolic and practical importance of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva in shaping Hindu worship and cosmology.

  4. Apply Knowledge to Quiz Questions -

    Confidently tackle questions about Hinduism religion in our quiz, using acquired insights to choose accurate answers and reinforce learning.

  5. Evaluate Personal Understanding -

    Assess your familiarity with basic questions about Hinduism to identify strengths and areas for further study and reflection.

  6. Identify Further Study Areas -

    Recognize specific topics within Hinduism trivia questions where deeper exploration can expand your religious and cultural knowledge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Monism in Advaita Vedanta -

    Understanding the oneness of Ātman (individual soul) and Brahman (ultimate reality) is key when tackling questions about Hinduism religion. As per the Upanishads, the mnemonic "A=B" helps you recall that Atman equals Brahman, illustrating core monism. Scholars at the Harvard Divinity School highlight that realizing this unity leads to moksha (liberation).

  2. Principle of Ahimsa -

    Non-violence (ahimsa) is a foundational ethic in basic questions about Hinduism, famously embraced by Mahatma Gandhi and rooted in the Manusmriti and Mahabharata. A memory trick - "Ahimsa Always Avoids Arms" - can help you recall its strict commitment to harm-free living. University of Oxford researchers note ahimsa's influence extends beyond dharma to modern peace movements.

  3. The Hindu Trinity (Trimurti) -

    Hinduism trivia questions often ask you to match Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer). Use the acronym "BVS" to remember their functions: Birth, Vigil, and Surrender. According to studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, recognizing these roles is essential for many hinduism quiz questions.

  4. Karma, Dharma & Samsara -

    Basic questions about Hinduism frequently test your grasp of the cycle of action (karma), duty (dharma), and rebirth (samsara). Remember the formula: Good karma + following dharma = progress toward moksha. The Oxford Handbook of World Philosophy explains how ethical living shapes one's next incarnation.

  5. Core Scriptures: Vedas & Upanishads -

    Hinduism quiz questions often start with the four Vedas - Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva - abbreviated "RGYA" to recall their order. The Upanishads provide philosophical depth by exploring Brahman and Ātman, making them common subjects in hinduism religion quiz rounds. Research from the Journal of Religious History confirms these texts form the scriptural bedrock of Hindu thought.

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