With reference to the Scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:
- Panini is associated with Pushyamitra
- Amarsimha is associated with Harshavardhana
- Kalidasa is associated with Chandragupta-II
Which of the above-given statements is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect
- Panini was a Sanskrit grammarian. His work is dated around the 3rd-4th century BC. Panini’s monumental work, Ashtaadhyaayi, is both a theory and a grammar of Sanskrit. While it is primarily scientific in temper, it is the shortest, rule-bound complete grammar of any language in the world.
- Pushyamitra Shunga was the founder of the Shunga dynasty (185 BCE−148 BCE), which came later. Formerly the commander-in-chief of the Mauryan Army and later killed the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha. Patanjali, the notable grammarian who wrote the Mahabhasya, was a contemporary of Pushyamitra Sunga. The Divyavadana gives an account of Pushyamitra’s cruelty towards Buddhists and his hatred towards Buddhism.
Statement 2 is incorrect, and Statement 3 is correct
- Chandragupta II (c. 376–413/15 CE), also known as Vikramaditya, succeeded his father Samudragupta and expanded the Gupta Empire to its zenith. His reign was marked by the successful conquest of the Sakas, including the annexation of territories ruled by the Saka chieftain Rudrasena III. He also strengthened political alliances through marriage diplomacy, as his daughter, Prabhavati Gupta, married Rudrasena II of the Vakataka dynasty. The famous Chinese traveller Faxian visited India during his reign, describing the period’s prosperity. Chandragupta II was also known as a patron of learning and culture, and his court is traditionally associated with the celebrated “Nine Jewels” or Navaratnas.
- Kalidasa: Renowned classical Sanskrit poet and playwright of India and a peerless genius whose works, such as Abhijananashakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram, and Vikramorvasiyam, became famous worldwide.
- Amarasimha: Sanskrit lexicographer and poet, and his ‘Amarakosha’ is a vocabulary of Sanskrit roots, homonyms, and synonyms. It is also called Trikanda, as it has three parts containing around ten thousand words.
- Varahamihira: He was a renowned mathematician and astrologer who authored three major works. His Panchasiddhantika compiled five earlier astronomical traditions—Surya Siddhanta, Romaka Siddhanta, Paulisa Siddhanta, Vasishtha Siddhanta, and Paitamaha Siddhanta—combining Indian and Hellenistic astronomy. His Brihat Samhita covered diverse topics such as astrology, planetary movements, rainfall, architecture, agriculture, perfumes, gems, and social customs. His Brihat Jataka became a standard reference work on Vedic astrology.
- Dhanvantri: Physician who is considered the father of Ayurveda (literally meaning ‘knowledge for longevity’).
- Ghatakarapara: An expert in sculpture and architecture.
- Shanku: An architect who wrote the Shilpashastra.
- Kahapanaka: An astrologer who wrote the Jyothisyashastra.
- Vararuchi: Grammarian and Sanskrit scholar and the author of the Prakrit Prakasha, which is first grammar of the Prakrit language.
- Vetala Bhatta: A magician who wrote the Mantrashastra.
