Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Consider the following statements about Patanjali's Mahabhashya 1. It makes a mention of Kautilya. 2. It is a book on grammar and refers to historical personalities only incidentally. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
The Mahabhashya (Great Commentary) by Patanjali is a foundational text on Sanskrit grammar, serving as a detailed commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi and Katyayana's Varttikas.Explanation
Historically dated to the 2nd century BCE (Shunga period), the text is primarily technical. While it provides social and cultural snapshots of the era, its core objective is linguistic analysis rather than historical chronicling.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Statement 1 is incorrect because the Mahabhashya does not directly mention Kautilya (Chanakya). Kautilya's political theories are the subject of the Arthashastra, a contemporary but distinct tradition.
Logic 2: Statement 2 is correct. Its mentions of kings (like Pushyamitra Shunga) or events are incidental, used only to illustrate grammatical rules and usage.