Consider the following name of contemporaries of Kanishka and select the correct answer from codes given below:
U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994
I. Ashvaghosha
Answer:
Option c is the correct answer.
Ashvaghosha and Vasumitra were contemporaries of Kanishka. Ashvaghosha was a Buddhist scholar and author who wrote several important texts, including the Buddhacarita and the Saundarananda. Vasumitra was a Buddhist monk who presided over the 4th Buddhist Council. Kalidasa and Kamban were not contemporaries of Kanishka. Kalidasa lived in the 5th century CE, while Kamban lived in the 12th century CE.
Important Tips
Aśvaghosha (c. 80 - c. 150 CE) was an Indian Buddhist philosopher, poet, and dramatist from Saketa (Ayodhya). He's believed to be a spiritual adviser to Kanishka, a contemporary. He's known as the first Sanskrit dramatist and a great poet before Kālidāsa. Ashvaghosha wrote several important texts, including the Buddhacarita and the Saundarananda.
Vasumitra, a 2nd-century CE Buddhist monk from Gandhara, was a contemporary of Kanishka I. He led the 4th Buddhist council in Kashmir under Kanishka's administration and played a role in shaping the Mahāvibhāshā.
Kālidāsa, a prominent Classical Sanskrit author of the 4th-5th century CE, is revered as ancient India's premier poet and playwright. His notable works include the plays "Shakuntala," "Malavikagnimitra," and "Vikramorvasiya," along with epic poems "Raghuvamsha" and "Kumarasambhava," showcasing his profound literary contributions.
Kambar, an esteemed Tamil poet (1180-1250 CE), authored the epic "Ramavataram" or "Kambaramayanam," a notable rendition of Ramayana in Tamil. His literary contributions include "Thirukkai Vazhakkam," "Erezhupathu," "Silaiyezhupathu," "Kangai Puranam," "Sadagopar Anthathi," and "Saraswati Anthathi."