Sanskrit Subhashitams

Malavikagnimitra: A play by Kalidasa, narrates the love story of King Agnimitra, the son of Pushyamitra Shunga, the founder of the Sunga dynasty. Swapnavasavadatta: This Sanskrit play by Bhasa does not revolve around the Sunga dynasty. Meghadoota: This poem by Kalidasa focuses on the pining of a separated Yaksha and doesn't involve historical figures. Ratnavali: This play by Sri Harsha also doesn't have a connection to the Sunga dynasty or its rulers.

Out of the ancient Indian figures mentioned, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous playwrights. Bhavabhuti: A celebrated playwright and poet from the 8th century CE, known for his Sanskrit plays like "Mahaviracharita," "Malatimadhava," and "Uttararamacharita." Hastimalla: A Jain poet and writer from the 13th century CE, who wrote in Kannada and is known for his work "Purvapurana." Kshemeshvara: A Sanskrit poet from Kashmir, believed to have lived between the 10th and 11th centuries CE. One of his notable works is "Dasavatar Charita."

Statement 1 is incorrect. Panini (c. 5th-4th century BCE) was a grammarian who wrote the Ashtadhyayi, a foundational text of Sanskrit grammar. Pushyamitra Shunga (r. 185-145 BCE) was the founder of the Shunga dynasty, which ruled after the Mauryan Empire. Their timelines don't align. Statement 2 is incorrect. Amarasimha (c. 4th-5th century CE) was a scholar and lexicographer who compiled the Amarakosha, a Sanskrit thesaurus. He was one of the nine gems in the court of Vikramaditya, Gupta emperor. Harshavardhana (r. 606-647 CE) was a ruler of the Vardhana dynasty. Thus, there was no overlap between both of them. Statement 3 is correct. Kalidasa (c. 4th-5th century CE) is considered one of the greatest Sanskrit poets and dramatists. His works include Abhijnakuntalam (Shakuntala) and Meghadtam (The Cloud Messenger). The Gupta Empire, under Chandra Gupta II (r. 375-415 CE), is known as a golden age of Indian literature, and Kalidasa is believed to have flourished during this period.

Mimamsa and Vedanta: These are both orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy within the six systems. Nyaya and Vaisheshika: These are also part of the six orthodox systems, known for their focus on logic and epistemology. Sankhya and Yoga: These are considered two of the six orthodox systems, with Sankhya focusing on dualism and Yoga on achieving liberation through practices like meditation. Lokayata: This was a materialistic philosophy that is not considered part of the six orthodox systems of Hindu philosophy. It emphasized materialism and scepticism towards spiritual concepts. Kapalika: While the exact nature and origin of Kapalika are debated, it's generally not considered among the six orthodox systems. It's associated with tantric practices and rituals that deviate from the mainstream Hindu philosophy. Therefore, Lokayata and Kapalika are not part of the six established systems of Indian philosophy.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Sankhya school accepts: - Existence of the soul (Purusha) - Rebirth and transmigration caused by ignorance (avidya) and attachment (prakriti–purusha entanglement) Thus, Sankhya does accept rebirth. Statement 2 is correct: Sankhya is a dualistic atheistic system. Liberation (kaivalya) comes from true knowledge of the distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter). No god or external agent is needed for liberation.

* Songs from Prison' is a collection of translations of ancient Indian religious lyrics from Sanskrit into English. These translations were made by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi during his time in Yerwada Prison in 1930. Therefore, the person associated with 'Songs from Prison' is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. It was published in 1934. * Balgangadhar Tilak: He launched Kesari, a Marathi weekly, and Mahratta, an English weekly, to promote nationalist ideas. In 1884, he established the Deccan Education Society to improve education in India. He also initiated the public celebrations of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav and Shivaji Jayanti to foster national unity and cultural pride. In 1916, Tilak, along with Annie Besant, founded the All India Home Rule League, advocating self-governance for India. * Jawahar Lal Nehru: He became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1929 during the Lahore Session, where he led the passage of the historic Purna Swaraj resolution, demanding complete independence from British rule. In the 1936 Lucknow Session, he urged Congress members to embrace socialism as a guiding principle. The following year, he presided over the Faizpur Session, making it the first INC session to be held in a rural area.

* Statement 1 is incorrect: Devichandraguptam is attributed to Vishakhadatta, a Sanskrit playwright. Bilhana was a poet who lived much later.  * Statement 2 is correct: Hammira-Mahakavya was written by Nayachandra Suri, a Jain scholar and poet. * Statement 3 is incorrect: Milinda-Panha is a dialogue between Buddhist philosopher Nagasena and Indo-Greek King Milinda, focusing on Buddhist concepts like non-self (anatta) and nirvana. Nagasena belonged to the Hinayana tradition, while Nagarjuna, often confused with him, was a Mahayana scholar. For clarity in UPSC, refer to the Milinda-Panha philosopher as Nagasena. * Statement 4 is correct: Nitivakyamrita was written by Somadeva Suri. Thus, statements 2 and 4 are correct.