Literature: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)

Explanation

Madhyama-vyayoga is one of the thirteen plays attributed to Bhasa. It is a one-act play (Prakarana) that revolves around a family reunion and is based on an episode from the Mahabharata. The play is notable for its dramatic structure, emotional depth, and adherence to classical Sanskrit theatrical conventions. The story unfolds with themes of valor, familial bonds, and moral dilemmas, culminating in a reunion that highlights Bhsa’s skill in dramatizing epic tales.

Explanation

Sanghabhuti was an Indian Buddhist monk from Kashmir who traveled to China towards the end of the 4th century AD. Sanghabhuti is primarily associated with the Sarvastivada Vinaya, a text that outlines the monastic rules and discipline for Buddhist monks and nuns. He traveled to China and collaborated with Chinese scholars to translate and comment on this text, which was crucial for the establishment of Buddhist monastic practices in China.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Devichandragupta is a Sanskrit play attributed to Vishakhadatta, not Bilhana. The play is based on the historical events surrounding the Gupta king Chandragupta II and his queen Dhruvadevi. Vishakhadatta also authored Mudrarakshasa. Bilhana was an 11th-century Kashmiri poet known for his works like Vikramankadevacharita (a biography of the Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI) and Chaurapanchasika (a collection of love poems).

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Hammira-Mahakavya is a Sanskrit epic poem written by Nayachandra Suri, a Jain scholar. The text narrates the life and exploits of Hammira, a 13th-century Chauhan king of Ranthambor and his resistance against the Delhi Sultanate.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Milinda-panha (Questions of King Milinda) is a Buddhist text that records a dialogue between the Indo-Greek king Menander I (Milinda) and the Buddhist monk Nagasena. The text is attributed to Nagasena, not Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna was a 2nd-century CE philosopher and founder of the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism and is known for works like Mulamadhyamakakarika.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: Nitivakyamrita is a treatise on ethics and polity written by Somadeva Suri, a 10th-century Jain scholar. The text provides guidance on governance, morality, and statecraft, reflecting the Jain emphasis on non-violence and ethical conduct.

Explanation

Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart), authored by Shudraka, is a classic Sanskrit drama. It narrates the love story between Charudatta, a virtuous but impoverished Brahmin merchant, and Vasantasena, a wealthy courtesan. This work, set against the backdrop of urban life in ancient India, explores themes of love, morality, social hierarchy, and political intrigue. Unlike epics or courtly literature, Mrichchhakatika focuses on the lives of ordinary people, providing valuable insights into the socio-economic conditions of the time. Other Sanskrit plays ascribed to Shudraka are Vinavasavadatta, Bhana (short one-act monologue) and Padmaprabhritaka.

Explanation

Mudrarakshasa by Vishakhadatta is a political drama revolving around the strategic acumen of Chanakya (Kautilya) in securing Chandragupta Maurya’s rise to power. The play narrates the clever maneuvering by Chanakya to win over Rakshasa, a loyal minister of the Nanda dynasty, to Chandragupta’s side. It provides valuable insights into Mauryan administrative policies and the importance of realpolitik during this era.

Explanation

Sangam literature refers to the ancient Tamil literary corpus, composed between 300 BCE and 300 CE, which includes poems celebrating heroism, love, and ethics. Notable works include the Tolkappiyam, the earliest Tamil grammar text, and the Ettuthokai and Pattupattu, which offer insights into the socio-political and cultural life of Tamil kingdoms. A is true: The Padinen Kilukanakku is a collection of 18 post-Sangam Tamil literary works, divided into Aham (love) and Puram (war) genres. These works are considered a continuation of the Sangam literature in terms of themes, style, and language. They reflect the same poetic traditions and cultural values as the Sangam compositions. R is true: The Padinen Kilukanakku is classified as post-Sangam literature because it was composed after the Sangam period proper. While the Sangam works are the earliest Tamil literary compositions, the Padinen Kilukanakku texts were written later during the post-Sangam period (circa 300-600 CE). R is the correct explanation of A: The Padinen Kilkanakku texts though composed in the Post-Sangam period but carry forward the Aham and Puram poetic traditions of the Sangam era, thereby forming a continuation of the earlier compositions.

Explanation

The Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutta records the Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath, where he expounded the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. This path provides a practical guide to overcoming dukkha (suffering) and achieving Nirvana. The Eightfold Path consists of: Right View; Right Intention; Right Speech; Right Action; Right Livelihood; Right Effort; Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. It advocates a balanced approach, avoiding extremes of asceticism and indulgence, laying the foundation for Buddhist ethics and practice. This sermon marks the beginning of the Sangha (monastic community).

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Mrichchakatikam (The Little Clay Cart) is an ancient Sanskrit play by Shudraka, blending romance, social commentary, and drama, and is known for its vivid portrayal of love, class struggles, and moral dilemmas.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Buddhacharita was written by Ashvaghosha, not Vasuvandhu. The work, composed in the 2nd century CE, narrates the life and teachings of Sakyamuni (Gautama Buddha), including his birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and his efforts to spread the Dharma.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Mudrarakshasa is a classical Sanskrit play by Vishakhadatta, depicting the political intrigue and cunning diplomacy of Chanakya as he helps Chandragupta Maurya rise to power, showcasing themes of statecraft and strategy.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: Harshacharita (The Deeds of Harsha) is a biographical work on Emperor Harsha (7th century CE), written by Banabhatta. He was the court poet of Harshavardhana and is considered one of the earliest Indian biographers.

Explanation

A is matched with 3: Varahamihira authored Brihat-Samhita, a significant text in ancient Indian astronomy and astrology, reflecting the scientific knowledge of the Gupta period. He also wrote Panchasiddhantika. B is matched with 4: Vishakhadatta is the author of two major historical Sanskrit dramas:

Devi-Chandraguptam play which describes the love story of King Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) and Queen Dhruvadevi. Mudrarakshasa is about Chandragupta Maurya’s rise with the help of Chanakya. C is matched with 2: Sudraka is known for Mrichchhakatikam (The Little Clay Cart), a Sanskrit play that tells the story of the romance between Charudatta, a noble but impoverished merchant, and Vasantika, a courtesan. The central themes include love, sacrifice, and the struggles of social classes, with an emphasis on the tensions between the upper and lower classes. D is matched with 5: Bilhana authored Vikramankadeva-Charita, an epic poem which celebrates the achievements and virtues of King Vikramaditya VI, who ruled the Western Chalukya dynasty (also known as the Kalyani Chalukyas) from 1076 to 1126 CE.

Explanation

The Kharosthi script was an ancient script used in northwest India. It was used mainly in the Gandhara region and is associated with the Buddhist texts and inscriptions of that area. It was derived from the Aramaic script and written from right to left, distinguishing it from most other Indian scripts like Brahmi, which were written from left to right. Nandnagari and Sharada scripts both evolved from Brahmi and were written from left to right.