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Books and Authors Quiz

Vasantsena by artist Raja Ravi Varm / Image Credit


Q.1. Whose drama Mṛcchakatika did film personality Shashi Kapoor adapt for the Hindi film Utsav?

(A) Sudraka

(B) Bhavabhuti

(C) Vishakhadatta 

(D) Mahendravarman I

Q.2. The writer of the Brihatkatha was

(A) Dattamitra

(B) Gudadhya

(C) Bhadrabahu

(D) Sarvavarman

Q.3. Which Prakrit work by Vakpati centres on exploits of Kannauj ruler Yashovarman?

(A) Gaudavaho

(B) Setubandha or Ravanavaho

(C) Harivijaya 

(D) Gathasaptashati

Q.4. Who wrote Kalpasutra? 

(A) Simuka

(B) Panini

(C) Bhadrabahu

(D) Patanjali

Q.5. Which of these books was not written by Bhavabhuti?

(A) Mahaviracharita (Deeds of a Great Hero)

(B) Malatimadhava

(C) Kiratarjuniya (Arjuna and the Kirata )

(D) Uttararamacarita (The Later Deeds of Rama)

Q. 6. From which Upanishad are the words 'Satyameva Jayate', adopted by Indian Republic as its National Emblem, taken?

(A) Aitareya Upanishad

(B) Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

(C) Chandogya Upanishad

(D) Mandukya Upanishad


Answers

1. A

Mricchakatika (The Little Clay Cart) is ascribed to Śūdraka,  Utsav is a 1984 Hindi erotic drama film, produced by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Girish Karnad. The film is based on play Mrichakatika by Śūdraka.

Mrichakatika  tells a story of the love of a poor Brahman Charudatta for a wealthy and virtuous courtesan Vasantasena.

2. B

Gunadhya's Brihatkatha is written in the Paishachi language. Gunadhya was a scholar in the court of Satvahana King Hala. 

3. A

Gaudavaho, ascribed to 8th century poet Vakpat.  details the exploits of Yashovarman who had established an empire at Kanyakubj which for a while controlled much of the North India. Vakpati was the court poet of Yasovarman. 

In this work the poet has described the slaying of the king of Bengal by Yashovarman.

4. C

The Kalpa Sūtra is a Jain scripture containing the biographies of the Tirthankaras, notably Parshvanatha and Mahavira. Kalpasutra was written by Bhadrabahu who was spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya. 

5. C

Kiratarjuniya is an epic poem written by Bhāravi, written in Sanskrit

6. D 

The words "Satyameva Jayate" are taken from the Mundaka Upanishad, which is a part of the Atharva Veda. This ancient Sanskrit text means "Truth Alone Triumphs," which was adopted as the national motto of India on January 26, 1950, and is inscribed below the National Emblem of India. 



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