[Solved] Patanjali: Contemporary of King Pushyamitra Shunga

The writer of Mahabhashya 'Patanjali' was contemporary of-

[UPPCS Prelims 2011]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Patanjali, the famous grammarian who wrote the Mahabhashya (a commentary on Panini), is a key figure for dating the linguistic and political history of ancient India.

Authentic Source Evidence

Patanjali's writings contain references to the Shunga dynasty and specifically mention performing sacrifices for Pushyamitra Shunga. This places him in the 2nd century BCE.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option C is correct. Patanjali is widely accepted as the court priest or at least a contemporary scholar during the reign of the first Shunga king.

Logic 2: Chandragupta and Ashoka (A, B) belong to the earlier Mauryan period. Chandragupta I (D) belongs to the much later Gupta period (4th century CE).

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What is the Mahabhashya?"

It is a seminal work on Sanskrit grammar that serves as a detailed commentary on Panini's 'Ashtadhyayi' and Katyayana's 'Varttikas'.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Patanjali's presence at the Shunga court marks a revival of Sanskrit and Brahminical traditions following the Mauryan focus on Prakrit and Buddhism."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Panini 4 Shunga Dynasty 4 Sanskrit Grammar 3

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