In the passage about guru dakshina, choose the correct word to complete the blank in the sentence: "The ______________ of gurudakshina is very ancient and it is unique to the Indian culture and tradition."

Introduction / Context:
This cloze test item belongs to a passage discussing the idea of guru dakshina in Indian culture. The blank appears before the phrase of gurudakshina and describes something that is ancient and deeply rooted in tradition. The correct answer must be a noun that naturally combines with of and refers to an idea or principle rather than a simple habit or viewpoint.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Sentence fragment: The ______________ of gurudakshina is very ancient and it is unique to the Indian culture and tradition. - Options: habit, approach, perception, concept. - Gurudakshina refers to the traditional offering made by a student to a guru.

Concept / Approach:
The noun that best introduces an abstract practice as something that belongs to a culture is concept. The concept of gurudakshina is a standard phrase in discussions of Indian educational and spiritual traditions. Habit normally refers to a repeated personal behaviour, approach refers to a method, and perception refers to a way of seeing or understanding, none of which fit as smoothly with of gurudakshina in this cultural context.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the phrase structure: The ______ of gurudakshina. Step 2: Recall typical collocations. We commonly say the concept of, the idea of, or the practice of when referring to culturally significant traditions. Step 3: Check option D, concept, in the full sentence: The concept of gurudakshina is very ancient and it is unique to the Indian culture and tradition. This sounds natural and accurate. Step 4: Try option A, habit: The habit of gurudakshina suggests a personal routine, which is too narrow and does not match the cultural and spiritual depth implied. Step 5: Try option B, approach: The approach of gurudakshina is awkward and does not match normal usage. Step 6: Try option C, perception, which focuses on mental viewpoints rather than a tradition itself. Step 7: Conclude that concept is the best fit for both grammar and meaning.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider how similar passages in books and essays describe cultural practices. Authors often write about the concept of dharma, the concept of karma, or the concept of namaste. The pattern of the concept of followed by a culturally important term is very common. Applying the same pattern to gurudakshina produces a fluent and idiomatic sentence that would be expected in a reading comprehension passage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Habit implies an individual's repeated action, such as the habit of waking up early, and lacks the cultural and philosophical weight that guru dakshina carries. Approach usually describes a method or strategy, for example a scientific approach, not a ritualised offering. Perception is about how something is seen or understood, rather than about the practice itself. These words therefore do not capture the intended cultural and conceptual nature of gurudakshina.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several of the options are abstract nouns, candidates may select them without considering collocation and context. A reliable strategy is to check whether the noun commonly appears with of plus an important cultural or philosophical term in reading materials. Concept is frequently used in this way, so it stands out as the most appropriate choice here.

Final Answer:
concept correctly completes the phrase The concept of gurudakshina is very ancient.