APPSC Paper I · Executive Officer Paper II · Topic 2
2 APPSC Paper I Mahabharatham and Bhagavad Gita questions with answers
46 questions from APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II question paper with answers and APPSC EO Paper II Mock 1 with answers. Try each one, then tap Show answer.
Previous-paper questions are as in the original paper. Medha AI wrote the answers and explanations.
2.1Characters, relationships and dynastiesNotes
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What unique weapon did Arjuna receive from Lord Shiva ?
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Answer D. Pashupatastra
Pleased after the fight in the guise of a hunter (Kirata), Shiva gave Arjuna the Pashupatastra.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q14, final key
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What curse did Arjuna suffer when he rejected Urvashi's advances in Indra's court ?
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Answer D. He would live as a eunuch for one year
Urvashi cursed Arjuna to become a eunuch; Indra limited it to one year, which Arjuna spent as Brihannala in Virata's court.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q17, final key
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Why did Krishnadvaipayana Maharshi get the name Vyasa ?
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Answer B. For dividing the Vedas
Vyasa means 'one who divides or arranges'; Krishna Dvaipayana divided the one Veda into four, hence Veda Vyasa.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q32, final key
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What is the real name of Bhishma ?
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Answer B. Devavrata
Bhishma, son of Shantanu and Ganga, was named Devavrata; he became 'Bhishma' after his terrible vow of celibacy.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q35, final key
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Who practiced the Sarpa Yaga ?
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Answer B. Janamejaya
King Janamejaya performed the Sarpa Satra to avenge his father Parikshit's death by Takshaka; the Mahabharata was recited at this event.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q76, final key
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Who is the mother of snakes ?
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Answer A. Kadru
Kadru, a wife of sage Kashyapa, is the mother of the nagas (serpents).
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q78, final key
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Who are the parents of Vyasa Maharshi ?
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Answer B. Satyavati – Parashara
Veda Vyasa was born to sage Parashara and Satyavati on an island in the Yamuna.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q79, final key
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Who taught Drona the arts of war ?
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Answer B. Parashurama
Drona, son of Bharadwaja, received the knowledge of weapons and warfare from Parashurama.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q88, final key
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Sahadeva's name in the incognito existence of the Pandavas for the last year of their exile was
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Answer B. Tantipala
In the year of incognito life at Virata's court, Sahadeva served as Tantipala, keeper of the cattle.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q102, final key
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Who is Duryodhana's sister ?
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Answer B. Dusshala
Dusshala was the only daughter of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari and was married to Jayadratha.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q105, final key
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Which eldest son of Pratipa gave up the throne and became an ascetic, so that his younger brother Shantanu became king?
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Answer D. Devapi
Devapi, Pratipa's eldest son, was passed over for the throne (he had a skin disease) and retired to the forest; Shantanu became king.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
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Which of the following was NOT a child of Satyavati?
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Answer A. Pandu
Satyavati bore Vyasa to Parashara and Chitrangada and Vichitravirya to Shantanu; Pandu was her grandson, born to Ambalika.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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Bhishma fought a long duel at Kurukshetra with his own guru over the matter of Amba. Who was that guru?
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Answer D. Parashurama
Amba asked Parashurama to make Bhishma marry her; teacher and pupil fought for many days until the sages and Parashurama's ancestors stopped the duel and Parashurama withdrew (Udyoga Parva).
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
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In the northern cattle raid, once Arjuna revealed himself, who drove his chariot?
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Answer A. Uttarakumara
Virata's son Uttarakumara set out to fight but lost heart; Arjuna then took up the Gandiva and Uttarakumara drove his chariot.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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Vyasa is called Dvaipayana because he
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Answer C. was born on an island
Vyasa was born on an island (dvipa) in the Yamuna, hence Dvaipayana; 'Krishna' refers to his dark colour and 'Veda Vyasa' to his dividing of the Vedas.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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What was Bhishma's name before he took his famous vow?
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Answer C. Devavrata
Bhishma, son of Shantanu and Ganga, was first named Devavrata; the gods called him Bhishma after his terrible vow of lifelong celibacy.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
2.1Bhagavad GitaNotes
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Who killed Dronacharya in the Kurukshetra war ?
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Answer C. Dhrishtadyumna
After Drona laid down his arms on hearing of 'Ashwatthama's' death, Dhrishtadyumna, born to kill him, beheaded him on the 15th day.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q15, final key
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Who was the only warrior who survived from the Kaurava side after the war ?
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Answer C. Ashwatthama
Ashwatthama survived the war (with Kripa and Kritavarma) and carried out the night raid; of the options, only he lived.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q16, final key
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On which day of the Kurukshetra war was Bhishma fatally wounded and forced to lie on a bed of arrows ?
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Answer B. 10th day
On the 10th day Arjuna, using Shikhandi as a shield, brought Bhishma down onto a bed of arrows.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q20, final key
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In which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita does Lord Krishna describe the concept of the "Kshetra" and "Kshetrajna" ?
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Answer B. Chapter 13
Chapter 13, Kshetra-Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga, explains the field (body/prakriti) and the knower of the field (the Self).
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q21, final key
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According to Bhagavad Gita, which of the following is not one of the three gunas (qualities) of material nature ?
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Answer D. Atma
Prakriti has three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. The Atma (Self) is beyond the gunas.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q22, final key
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According to the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna tells Arjuna that he has the right to perform his duty, but not to claim what ?
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Answer D. The fruits of his actions
Gita 2.47 (karmanyevadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana): one has a right to action alone, never to its fruits.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q23, final key
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As stated in the Bhagavad Gita, which power or discipline does Krishna describe as capable of burning all karmic bondage to ashes ?
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Answer D. True knowledge (Jnana)
Gita 4.37 says that as a blazing fire turns fuel to ashes, the fire of knowledge (jnanagni) burns all karma to ashes.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q24, final key
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According to the Gita, true knowledge (jnana) chiefly frees a person from:
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Answer D. The bondage of karma
Knowledge removes ignorance and the ego of being the sole doer, and so releases one from karmabandham, the bondage that action creates.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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In Chapter 5, comparing renunciation of action (karma sannyasa) with the yoga of action (karma yoga), Krishna says:
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Answer B. Both lead to the highest good, but karma yoga is better
Chapter 5: renunciation and karma yoga both lead to liberation, but of the two, karma yoga is superior.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
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In Chapter 5, one who acts without attachment is untouched by sin, like:
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Answer A. A lotus leaf by water
One who offers actions to Brahman and gives up attachment is not touched by sin, as a lotus leaf is not wetted by water (5.10).
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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"Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati" refers to the time when:
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Answer A. Dharma declines
Whenever dharma declines and adharma rises, God takes an avatara; this is the Gita's best-known statement on incarnation.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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Who gave Sanjaya the divine sight with which he saw the war and heard the Bhagavad Gita?
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Answer D. Vedavyasa
Vyasa offered sight to Dhritarashtra, who declined it; the boon went to Sanjaya, who closes the Gita by recalling Vyasa's grace.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
2.1Parvas and the story lineNotes
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Before the Kurukshetra war, who went to Hastinapura as a peace envoy on behalf of the Pandavas ?
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Answer B. Krishna
In the Udyoga Parva Krishna went to Hastinapura as the Pandavas' envoy, asking even for just five villages.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q18, final key
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How many Parvas are there in the Mahabharata ?
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Answer B. 18
The Mahabharata is divided into 18 Parvas, from Adi Parva to Svargarohana Parva.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q19, final key
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Who taught the Mahabharata to Janamejaya ?
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Answer B. Vaisampayana
At Janamejaya's snake sacrifice, Vyasa's disciple Vaisampayana recited the Mahabharata to the king.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q25, final key
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Which is the last episode of Mahabharata ?
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Answer D. Swargarohana Parva
Swargarohana Parva, the 18th Parva, tells of Yudhishthira's ascent to heaven and closes the Mahabharata.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q87, final key
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Which pair of hero and the deity he merged into, as told in the Svargarohana Parva, is correctly matched?
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Answer D. Drona – Brihaspati
Vaishampayana tells Janamejaya that Drona entered Brihaspati, Karna the Sun, Abhimanyu the Moon, Dhrishtadyumna Agni and Bhishma the Vasus.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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Which of the following is NOT one of the three main divisions of the Shanti Parva?
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Answer C. Danadharma
The Shanti Parva has three divisions: Rajadharma (duties of a king), Apaddharma (dharma in distress) and Mokshadharma (path to liberation). Danadharma, on giving, is taught in the Anushasana Parva.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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How did Urvashi's curse on Arjuna turn out to be a help to the Pandavas?
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Answer A. It let Arjuna live undetected as a eunuch during the year of incognito
Urvashi cursed Arjuna to lose his manhood; Indra limited it to one year of Arjuna's choosing, and Arjuna used it as Brihannala at Virata's court.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
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After the war, what did the grieving Dhritarashtra crush in his embrace, thinking it was Bhima?
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Answer D. An iron statue of Bhima
Krishna, sensing Dhritarashtra's anger, put an iron statue in Bhima's place; the blind king crushed it to pieces, then repented and accepted the Pandavas. This is in the Stri Parva.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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The destruction of the Yadavas through an iron pestle (musala) is narrated in which Parva?
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Answer D. Mausala Parva
Mausala Parva (16th): cursed by sages, the Yadavas destroy one another with reeds grown from the pestle's powder; Krishna and Balarama then leave the world.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
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The Pandavas' escape from the house of lac and Bhima's killing of Hidimba are told in which Parva?
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Answer A. Adi Parva
The Adi Parva, the first of the 18, covers the Kuru genealogy and the Pandavas' early life, including the lac house, Hidimba, Bakasura and Draupadi's swayamvara.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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Nannaya translated the Mahabharata into Telugu under the patronage of which Eastern Chalukya king?
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Answer B. Rajaraja Narendra
In the 11th century Nannaya began the Andhra Mahabharatamu at the request of Rajaraja Narendra of Rajamahendravaram.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
2.1Kurukshetra war and placesNotes
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The Karna was the king of which country ?
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Answer A. To the Anga
Duryodhana crowned Karna king of Anga at the tournament so that he could compete with Arjuna.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q103, final key
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What is the name of Shishupala's brother ?
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Answer A. Dantavaktra
Dantavakra, king of Karusha, was Shishupala's cousin (their mothers were sisters of Vasudeva) and is called his brother; both are held to be the rebirth of Jaya and Vijaya and both were slain by Krishna.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q107, final key
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Draupadi's swayamvara was held in which city, the capital of Drupada?
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Answer B. Kampilya
Drupada held Draupadi's swayamvara at Kampilya; Arjuna, disguised as a Brahmin, won her.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
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Krishna reminded Balarama that Duryodhana's broken thighs had been foretold in a curse by which sage?
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Answer A. Maitreya
Krishna calmed Balarama by recalling Bhima's dice-hall vow, sage Maitreya's curse and Duryodhana's many wrongs.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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Who commanded the Kaurava army on the eighteenth and last day of the war?
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Answer D. Shalya
After Karna's death Shalya led the Kauravas on the eighteenth day and was killed by Yudhishthira.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
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What was the name of Bhagadatta's famous war elephant?
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Answer A. Supratika
Bhagadatta, expert in elephant warfare, rode Supratika; Arjuna brought the elephant down and killed him on day 12.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
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Who killed Karna in the Kurukshetra war?
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Answer B. Arjuna
On the seventeenth day Karna's chariot wheel sank into the earth and Arjuna killed him.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
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