CDS 2022 (II)

Buddhist Sanskrit Literature

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which one of the following is not the work of Ashvaghosha?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Ashvaghosha (1st-2nd century CE) was the court poet of Kanishka and a pioneer of Sanskrit Buddhist literature, known for his refined Kavya style.

Explanation Ashvaghosha’s major works are Buddhacharita, Saundarananda, and the drama Sariputraprakarana. Manjushrimulakalpa is a later Mahayana Buddhist tantric text.

Logical Breakup
Option D is Correct: Manjushrimulakalpa is not by Ashvaghosha; it belongs to the 'Vajrayana' or 'Mahayana' school and was composed much later (c. 8th century).
Logic: Ashvaghosha’s works are characterized by high classical Sanskrit 'Kavya' techniques used to propagate Buddhist teachings.

Active Recall

Question

Who was Ashvaghosha's patron?

Answer

The Kushana Emperor Kanishka, who presided over the Fourth Buddhist Council.

Core Insight

Ashvaghosha was the first to use the sophisticated 'Kavya' style to make Buddhist doctrine appealing to the intellectual and royal elite.