Religious Thinkers of India

Identify Buddhist & Vaishnava Scholars: Dignaga & Nathamuni

Dignaga was a famous Buddhist logician, and Nathamuni was a prominent Vaishnava scholar. Aryadeva, however, was a Mahayana Buddhist philosopher, not a Jaina scholar.

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With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs:
1. Aryadeva - Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga - Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni - Vaishnava scholar
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

[UPSC CSE Prelims 2022]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


This question tests the identification of prominent philosophers from different religious traditions during the early medieval period.

Authentic Source Evidence


Aryadeva was a Mahayana Buddhist, not a Jaina. Dignaga is recognized as the father of Buddhist logic. Nathamuni was the first of the great Acharyas who organized the Sri Vaishnava tradition.

Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: Pair 1 is incorrect. Aryadeva was a disciple of Nagarjuna and a key philosopher of the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism.

  • Logic 2: Pair 2 is correct. Dignaga founded the system of Buddhist logic (Pramana).

  • Logic 3: Pair 3 is correct. Nathamuni was a famous Vaishnava saint who compiled the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "What was Dignaga's major contribution to Indian philosophy?"

    He established the 'Pramanasamuccaya', shifting the focus of Buddhist thought toward logic and epistemology to defend Buddhist tenets against rivals.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "Scholars like Aryadeva and Dignaga represent the intellectual zenith of Nalanda university and the expansion of Mahayana thought into logic."

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    Sri Vaishnavism 2

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