UPSC CSE Prelims
Sanskrit Literature Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Only two

This question tests the correct pairing of ancient Indian literary works with their respective authors. Out of the four given pairs, only two are correctly matched—Hammira-Mahakavya with Nayachandra Suri and Nitivakyamrita with Somadeva Suri.

❌ Pair 1 – Incorrect: Devichandraguptam was authored by Vishakhadatta, a renowned Sanskrit playwright, not by Bilhana who was a later Kashmiri poet famous for Vikramankadevacharita.

✅ Pair 2 – Correct: Hammira-Mahakavya was indeed composed by Nayachandra Suri, a Jain scholar and poet, celebrating the valor of Chauhan ruler Hammiradeva.

❌ Pair 3 – Incorrect: Milinda-Panha (Questions of King Milinda) records dialogues between Buddhist monk Nagasena and Indo-Greek King Menander (Milinda), not Nagarjuna who was a later Mahayana philosopher.

✅ Pair 4 – Correct: Nitivakyamrita, a work on political ethics and wisdom, was written by Somadeva Suri, a Jain scholar.

📝 Short Notes: Ancient Indian Literary Works and Authors

• Bilhana: 11th-century Kashmiri poet, authored Vikramankadevacharita and Caurapancasika
• Nagarjuna: 2nd-century CE Mahayana Buddhist philosopher, founder of Madhyamaka school; authored Mulamadhyamakakarika
• Nagasena vs Nagarjuna: Often confused—Nagasena was a Theravada monk (2nd century BCE), while Nagarjuna was a Mahayana philosopher (2nd century CE)
• Vishakhadatta: Also authored Mudrarakshasa, a political drama about Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya
• Jain Literary Contributions: Both Nayachandra Suri and Somadeva Suri represent the rich tradition of Jain scholarship in ethics, politics, and literature

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Malavikagnimitra

Malavikagnimitra is a classical Sanskrit play written by the renowned poet Kalidasa. It narrates the romantic love story of King Agnimitra, who was the son of Pushyamitra Shunga, the founder of the Sunga dynasty (circa 185 BCE). The play revolves around Agnimitra's love for Malavika, a beautiful maiden in the royal household. Swapnavasavadatta by Bhasa tells the story of King Udayana and Queen Vasavadatta, unrelated to the Sunga dynasty. Meghadoota is Kalidasa's lyrical poem about a Yaksha sending messages through a cloud to his beloved wife. Ratnavali by Harsha is a romantic comedy about King Udayana and Princess Ratnavali, with no connection to the Sungas.