Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Which River is praised in the fifth century Tamil epic, Silappadikaram?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: A
Concept
Ancient Tamil literature is deeply connected to the landscape (Athinai), where rivers are deified as life-giving mothers and symbols of royal prosperity.Explanation
The Silappadikaram contains numerous hymns dedicated to the River Cauvery. It is praised as a 'chaste lady' whose floods bring wealth to the Chola kingdom.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option A is correct. The first part of the epic (Puhar Kandam) is set in the port city where the Cauvery meets the sea.
Significance: The epic highlights the cultural and spiritual centrality of the Cauvery to the Tamil identity, particularly in the Chola region.