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Karnataka II PUC Sanskrit (KSEAB) study materials
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Karnataka II PUC Sanskrit (KSEAB) practice questions

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Question 1Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In classical Sanskrit grammar, the term 'संज्ञा' (saṃjñā) as used by Pāṇini refers to which of the following?

  1. A noun denoting a person or thing
  2. The accent of a verbal root
  3. The gender of a nominal stem
  4. A technical designation that governs the operation of rules Correct answer.

Explanation

Pāṇini uses संज्ञा for a technical term or designation (a defined label) that activates grammatical operations; it is not the ordinary word for a noun. The standard Pāṇinian convention is that a technical designation, once assigned, enables the rules that depend on it.

Question 2Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of these is the correct form of the present-tense third-person singular of the root 'गम्' (gam, 'to go')?

  1. गच्छती
  2. गमति
  3. गच्छति Correct answer.
  4. गम्यति

Explanation

The root गम् takes the present stem गच्छ- through the substitution गच्छ in the present system, giving गच्छति (he/she goes). The final -ति is the third-person singular present ending of the parasmaipada.

Question 3Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The Sanskrit consonant 'ऋ' in the word 'कृष्ण' (kṛṣṇa) functions as which type of sound?

  1. A sibilant
  2. A pure consonant
  3. A semivowel
  4. A vocalic vowel (samānākṣara) Correct answer.

Explanation

ऋ is a vowel in Sanskrit, a vocalic r (the 'ṛ' vowel), written with a vowel sign when attached to a consonant. It is not a consonant, semivowel, or sibilant, though the semivowel र् is related in articulation.

Question 4Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the declension of the masculine noun 'राम' (rāma), which form is the dative singular?

  1. रामात्
  2. रामाय Correct answer.
  3. रामेण
  4. रामस्य

Explanation

The dative singular of a-stem masculine nouns ends in -आय, giving रामाय ('to/for Rāma'). The other endings shown belong to the instrumental, genitive, and ablative respectively.

Question 5Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The sandhi of 'तत्' + 'च' results in which form?

  1. तच्छ
  2. तच्च Correct answer.
  3. तत्च
  4. तच्चा

Explanation

When a word-final त् is followed by च्, the dental stop assimilates to the following palatal, giving च्च (tat + ca → tacca). The written result is तच्च, with the first च doubling.

Question 6Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following is the correct form of the past passive participle (kta) of the root 'कृ' (kṛ, 'to do')?

  1. क्रियते
  2. कृत Correct answer.
  3. कुर्वन्
  4. करति

Explanation

The kta participle of कृ is कृत ('done, made'), an irregular form that must be memorized. The other options are a present verb, a present participle, and a passive present form, none of which is the kta participle.

Question 7Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the sentence 'रामः फलं खादति', which word functions as the direct object (karma)?

  1. रामः
  2. none, since the verb is intransitive
  3. फलम् Correct answer.
  4. खादति

Explanation

In a transitive clause the accusative noun is the object; here फलम् ('fruit') carries the accusative ending -म् and is what is being eaten. रामः is the agent and खादति is the verb.

Question 8Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The title 'रघुवंश' (Raghuvaṃśa) is associated with which poet?

  1. कालिदास Correct answer.
  2. बाणभट्ट
  3. भवभूति
  4. शूद्रक

Explanation

The Raghuvaṃśa, a mahākāvya on the kings of the Raghu dynasty, is traditionally attributed to Kālidāsa. Bhavabhūti, Bāṇabhaṭṭa, and Śūdraka are separate authors with their own works.

Question 9Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following is the correct form of the plural nominative of the neuter noun 'फल' (phala)?

  1. फलानि Correct answer.
  2. फले
  3. फलाः
  4. फलम्

Explanation

Neuter a-stem nouns take -आनि in the nominative/accusative plural, giving फलानि ('fruits'). The masculine plural ending -आः and the singular -म् do not apply to neuter plurals.

Question 10Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In Sanskrit poetics, the figure of speech in which a comparison is made using words like 'इव' or 'यथा' is called:

  1. अतिशयोक्ति
  2. रूपक
  3. श्लेष
  4. उपमा Correct answer.

Explanation

उपमा (upamā) is simile, an explicit comparison normally marked by इव, यथा, or वत्. Rūpaka is metaphor, atiśayokti is hyperbole, and śleṣa is pun.

Question 11Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of these correctly gives the instrumental singular of the pronoun 'तत्' (tad) in its masculine form?

  1. तस्मिन्
  2. तस्य
  3. तेन Correct answer.
  4. तस्मात्

Explanation

The instrumental singular of the masculine pronoun तत् is तेन ('by/with him or it'). The other forms are the ablative, genitive, and locative respectively.

Question 12Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The grammatical case called 'सम्बोधन' (sambodhana) in Sanskrit corresponds to which function?

  1. Possession or genitive
  2. Location or locative
  3. Means or instrument
  4. Direct address or vocative Correct answer.

Explanation

सम्बोधन is the vocative, used when addressing someone directly, as in 'हे राम'. It is distinct from the genitive, instrumental, and locative, which express possession, means, and location.

Question 13Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the compound 'राजपुत्र' (rājaputra), what is the relationship between the members?

  1. बहुव्रीहि (possessive)
  2. अव्ययीभाव (adverbial)
  3. षष्ठी तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative) Correct answer.
  4. द्वन्द्व (coordinative)

Explanation

राजपुत्र means 'son of a king', where the first member stands in the genitive relation to the second; this is a ṣaṣṭhī tatpuruṣa. It is not a pair-compound, a possessive compound, or an adverbial compound.

Question 14Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following is a correct form of the imperative (loṭ) second-person singular of 'पठ्' (paṭh, 'to read')?

  1. पठेत्
  2. पठ Correct answer.
  3. पठति
  4. पठिष्यति

Explanation

The imperative second singular of a root like पठ् is पठ ('read!'), which lacks the -ति ending of the present indicative. The other forms are indicative, optative, and future respectively.

Question 15Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The author of the 'अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तल' (Abhijñānaśākuntala) is:

  1. श्रीहर्ष
  2. विशाखदत्त
  3. कालिदास Correct answer.
  4. भास

Explanation

Abhijñānaśākuntala, the play on Śakuntalā and Duṣyanta, is by Kālidāsa. Viśākhadatta, Bhāsa, and Śrīharṣa are distinct dramatists with other works.

Question 16Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The sandhi of 'देव' + 'इन्द्र' produces which form?

  1. देवेन्द्र Correct answer.
  2. देवैन्द्र
  3. देवइन्द्र
  4. देवीन्द्र

Explanation

When a word-final अ is followed by an initial इ, the two combine into the guṇa vowel ए, giving देवेन्द्र (deva + indra). This is a vowel (svara) sandhi of the guṇa type.

Question 17Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following correctly states the meaning of the suffix 'क्त्वा' (ktvā) as used in forms like 'गत्वा'?

  1. It forms a future passive participle
  2. It forms a causative stem
  3. It forms an abstract noun
  4. It forms an indeclinable participle expressing an action prior to the main verb Correct answer.

Explanation

The ktvā suffix produces indeclinable past participles (e.g., गत्वा, 'having gone') that denote an action completed before the main verb. It does not make futures, abstracts, or causatives.

Question 18Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the word 'गुरु', how many mātrās does each syllable carry in Sanskrit prosody?

  1. The first syllable is guru (two mātrās) and the second is laghu (one mātrā) Correct answer.
  2. Both syllables are laghu
  3. Both syllables are guru
  4. The first is laghu and the second is guru

Explanation

In 'गुरु' the first syllable has a long vowel (ū) and is therefore guru, while the second has a short vowel (u) and is laghu. A syllable with a long vowel or a following conjunct counts as guru; otherwise it is laghu.

Question 19Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following is the correct form of the present passive third-person singular of 'कृ' (kṛ, 'to do')?

  1. कृतवान्
  2. कुरुते
  3. क्रियते Correct answer.
  4. करोति

Explanation

The passive present of कृ is क्रियते ('it is done'), formed with the passive suffix -य and the ātmanepada ending. The other options are active present, ātmanepada active, and a perfect participle.

Question 20Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The compound 'चतुर्मुख' (caturmukha), used as an epithet of Brahmā, is best analysed as which type?

  1. तत्पुरुष, since the first member qualifies the second
  2. अव्ययीभाव, since it functions adverbially
  3. द्वन्द्व, since it joins two items
  4. बहुव्रीहि, since it denotes one who possesses four faces Correct answer.

Explanation

चतुर्मुख means 'the four-faced one', i.e., a person possessing four faces, which is the defining sense of a bahuvrīhi compound. The compound refers to an entity other than its members taken literally.

Question 21Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the verb form 'अकरोत्' (akarot), which tense is being used?

  1. Imperfect (laṅ) past tense Correct answer.
  2. Present tense
  3. Optative mood
  4. Future tense

Explanation

अकरोत् is the third-person singular imperfect (laṅ) of कृ, marked by the augment अ- and the imperfect ending -त्. The imperfect narrates past action in classical prose and epic.

Question 22Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following correctly identifies the 'द्वितीया विभक्ति' (second case) and its typical function?

  1. Ablative, marking the source
  2. Dative, marking the recipient
  3. Instrumental, marking the means
  4. Accusative, marking the direct object of a transitive verb Correct answer.

Explanation

The second case (द्वितीया) is the accusative, whose central function is to mark the direct object (karma) of a transitive verb. The instrumental, dative, and ablative are the third, fourth, and fifth cases respectively.

Question 23Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following is the correct dual form of the noun 'राम' (rāma) in the nominative?

  1. रामाः
  2. रामम्
  3. रामेण
  4. रामौ Correct answer.

Explanation

The nominative dual of an a-stem masculine noun ends in -औ, giving रामौ ('the two Rāmas'). The plural ending -आः and the singular endings -म् and -एण belong to other numbers and cases.

Question 24Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The 'नाट्यशास्त्र' (Nāṭyaśāstra), a foundational treatise on drama and aesthetics, is traditionally attributed to which author?

  1. वात्स्यायन
  2. भरत Correct answer.
  3. पतञ्जलि
  4. पाणिनि

Explanation

The Nāṭyaśāstra is traditionally ascribed to Bharata and treats dramaturgy, rasa theory, and performance. Pāṇini, Patañjali, and Vātsyāyana are associated with grammar, yoga or grammar commentary, and the Kāmasūtra respectively.

Question 25Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the sentence 'अहं ग्रामं गच्छामि', what does the ending -आमि on the verb indicate?

  1. First-person singular present ending Correct answer.
  2. First-person dual present ending
  3. Third-person singular present ending
  4. Second-person plural present ending

Explanation

The ending -आमि marks the first-person singular in the present tense (parasmaipada), so गच्छामि means 'I go'. The subject अहं ('I') agrees with this ending.

Question 26Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the declension of the masculine noun 'गुरु' (guru), which form is the correct dative singular?

  1. गुरुणा
  2. गुरवे Correct answer.
  3. गुरोः
  4. गुरौ

Explanation

Nouns ending in short -u take the dative singular ending -ave, giving गुरवे. The other forms belong to different cases: instrumental, ablative/genitive, and locative respectively.

Question 27Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which sandhi operation explains the form 'सूर्योदय' (sūryodaya)?

  1. गुण sandhi of अ + इ
  2. visarga sandhi of अः + अ
  3. वृद्धि sandhi of अ/आ + उ/ऊ Correct answer.
  4. यण sandhi of ई + अ

Explanation

सूर्य + उदय involves the final -a of सूर्य meeting the initial u of उदय; अ + उ yields the vṛddhi vowel ओ. This is a standard vṛddhi (also called guṇa-vṛddhi) sandhi of the अ-series with the उ-series.

Question 28Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In Sanskrit prosody, a verse metre in which each quarter (pāda) contains exactly eleven syllables is known by which name?

  1. इन्द्रवज्रा Correct answer.
  2. वसन्ततिलका
  3. अनुष्टुभ्
  4. मन्दाक्रान्ता

Explanation

Indravajrā is an eleven-syllable (ekādaśākṣara) metre, with a fixed gaṇa pattern in each pāda. Anuṣṭubh has eight syllables, Vasantatilakā fourteen, and Mandākrāntā seventeen.

Question 29Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The 'किरातार्जुनीय' (Kirātārjunīya), an epic poem on the Pāṇḍava Arjuna's penance before Śiva, was composed by which poet?

  1. माघ
  2. अश्वघोष
  3. भारवि Correct answer.
  4. श्रीहर्ष

Explanation

Bhāravi composed the Kirātārjunīya, one of the classical mahākāvyas. Māgha wrote the Śiśupālavadha, Śrīharṣa the Naiṣadhīyacarita, and Aśvaghoṣa the Buddhacarita.

Question 30Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which verbal form correctly expresses 'they both read' in the present tense (laṭ) from the root 'पठ्' (paṭh)?

  1. पठतः Correct answer.
  2. पठामि
  3. पठसि
  4. पठन्ति

Explanation

The dual third person of the present tense takes the ending -tas, giving पठतः for 'those two read'. The plural third person is पठन्ति, the singular second person पठसि, and the singular first person पठामि.

Question 31Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the sentence 'गुरुः शिष्याय पुस्तकं ददाति', which word is in the dative (caturthī) case?

  1. गुरुः
  2. ददाति
  3. शिष्याय Correct answer.
  4. पुस्तकम्

Explanation

The dative singular ending -āya marks शिष्याय, the recipient of the gift, which is the indirect object (sampradāna). The other words are nominative subject, accusative object, and the verb.

Question 32Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following is the correct ablative singular of the feminine noun 'नदी' (nadī, 'river')?

  1. नद्यै
  2. नद्योः
  3. नद्याः Correct answer.
  4. नद्याम्

Explanation

Feminine ī-stems take -āḥ for the ablative singular, so the ablative of नदी is नद्याः (identical in form to the genitive singular). The dative is नद्यै, the locative नद्याम्, and नद्योः is the ablative/genitive dual.

Question 33Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The 'बुद्धचरित' (Buddhacarita), a biography of the Buddha in classical Sanskrit verse, is attributed to which author?

  1. कालिदास
  2. अश्वघोष Correct answer.
  3. भास
  4. विशाखदत्त

Explanation

Aśvaghoṣa, a Buddhist poet of the early centuries CE, composed the Buddhacarita in Sanskrit mahākāvya style. Kālidāsa, Bhāsa, and Viśākhadatta are dramatists of different works.

Question 34Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the compound 'नीलोत्पल' (nīlotpala, 'blue lotus'), what type of compound (samāsa) is it?

  1. द्विगु
  2. बहुव्रीहि
  3. कर्मधारय Correct answer.
  4. द्वन्द्व

Explanation

In नीलोत्पल the first member (नील, 'blue') is an adjective qualifying the second (उत्पल, 'lotus'); such an adjective-noun compound is a karmadhāraya. A dvandva would join two coordinate items, and a bahuvrīhi would denote something other than its members.

Question 35Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following correctly gives the present active participle (śatṛ) masculine nominative singular of 'गम्' (gam, 'to go')?

  1. गच्छन् Correct answer.
  2. गम्यते
  3. गन्तुम्
  4. गतः

Explanation

The present participle of गच्छति is formed with the suffix -at, giving गच्छन् in the masculine nominative singular. गतः is a past passive participle, गन्तुम् an infinitive, and गम्यते a passive verb.

Question 36Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The 'मुद्राराक्षस' (Mudrārākṣasa), a political drama about the minister Cāṇakya, is the work of which playwright?

  1. शूद्रक
  2. भट्टनारायण
  3. भवभूति
  4. विशाखदत्त Correct answer.

Explanation

Viśākhadatta composed the Mudrārākṣasa, a nāṭaka centred on statecraft and the fall of the Nanda dynasty. Bhavabhūti, Śūdraka, and Bhaṭṭanārāyaṇa are authors of other dramas.

Question 37Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following correctly states the sense of the suffix 'तुमुन्' (tumun) in forms such as 'द्रष्टुम्' (draṣṭum)?

  1. It forms a causative verb, 'causes to see'
  2. It forms an infinitive expressing purpose, 'in order to see' Correct answer.
  3. It forms a past passive participle, 'seen'
  4. It forms an absolutive, 'having seen'

Explanation

The suffix -tum (tumun) creates infinitives such as द्रष्टुम्, used to express purpose with verbs of motion or desire. The absolutive uses -tvā (दृष्ट्वा), and the past passive participle uses -ta/-na (दृष्ट).

Question 38Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In Sanskrit poetics, the figure in which a word is used to suggest a meaning other than its literal one, such as a direct implied sense, is called:

  1. अतिशयोक्ति
  2. उपमा
  3. लक्षणा Correct answer.
  4. रूपक

Explanation

Lakṣaṇā is the secondary or indicative power of a word, whereby an incompatible literal sense is set aside for a related intended sense. Upamā is simile, rūpaka is metaphor, and atiśayokti is hyperbole.

Question 39Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following is the correct form of the locative singular of the pronoun 'अहम्' (aham, 'I')?

  1. मयि Correct answer.
  2. माम्
  3. मया
  4. मह्यम्

Explanation

The first-person pronoun takes the stem mad- in oblique cases; the locative singular is मयि ('in me'). माम् is accusative, मया instrumental, and मह्यम् dative.

Question 40Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following is the correct form of the causative third-person singular present of 'कृ' (kṛ, 'to do')?

  1. कारयति Correct answer.
  2. करोति
  3. करिष्यति
  4. क्रियते

Explanation

The causative of कृ is formed with the vṛddhi-strengthened root कार- plus the causative suffix -aya, giving कारयति ('causes to do'). करोति is the ordinary present, क्रियते the passive, and करिष्यति the future.

Question 41Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The 'अर्थशास्त्र' (Arthaśāstra), a treatise on statecraft attributed to Kautilya, is written chiefly in which language?

  1. संस्कृत Correct answer.
  2. अपभ्रंश
  3. प्राकृत
  4. पालि

Explanation

The Arthaśāstra is composed in Sanskrit prose with verse passages, attributed to Kauṭilya (Cāṇakya). Pāli and Prākrit are used in other traditions such as Buddhist and Jain canonical literature.

Question 42Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the sentence 'रामेण ग्रन्थः पठ्यते', what is the grammatical role of 'रामेण'?

  1. It is the instrument of the action, not the agent
  2. It is the agent (kartṛ) in the instrumental case, required by the passive verb Correct answer.
  3. It is the direct object in the accusative case
  4. It is the subject in the nominative case

Explanation

In a passive construction (prayoga), the logical agent is expressed in the instrumental case, here रामेण with the passive पठ्यते. The grammatical subject is the book in the nominative, and the verb agrees with it.

Question 43Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following correctly gives the nominative singular of the noun 'सरित्' (sarit, 'river')?

  1. सरितः
  2. सरिति
  3. सरिता
  4. सरित् Correct answer.

Explanation

Consonant-stem nouns ending in -t keep the stem unchanged in the nominative singular, so सरित् serves as the nominative. The instrumental is सरिता, the ablative/genitive सरितः, and the locative सरिति.

Question 44Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which statement correctly describes the 'अनुष्टुभ्' (anuṣṭubh) metre as used in the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata?

  1. It has four pādas of eight syllables each, with the fifth syllable of even pādas light and the sixth heavy Correct answer.
  2. It has four pādas of eleven syllables each
  3. It has two pādas of twelve syllables each
  4. It has four pādas of seventeen syllables each

Explanation

The anuṣṭubh (śloka) consists of four octosyllabic pādas; in the even pādas the fifth syllable is light (laghu) and the sixth heavy (guru), giving its characteristic cadence. Eleven-syllable metres are indravajrā-type, and seventeen-syllable metres include mandākrāntā.

Question 45Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

The 'गीतगोविन्द' (Gītagovinda), a lyric poem on Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, was composed by which poet?

  1. जयदेव Correct answer.
  2. सोमदेव
  3. भवभूति
  4. राजशेखर

Explanation

Jayadeva wrote the Gītagovinda, a Sanskrit lyric celebrated for its musical songs on Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā. Bhavabhūti, Rājaśekhara, and Somadeva are authors of unrelated works.

Question 46Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following correctly states the meaning of the prefix 'अनु' (anu) in the word 'अनुगच्छति' (anugacchati)?

  1. It conveys 'against', so the verb means 'opposes'
  2. It conveys 'before', so the verb means 'goes ahead'
  3. It conveys 'intensity', so the verb means 'goes quickly'
  4. It conveys 'following after', so the verb means 'follows' Correct answer.

Explanation

The prefix anu- expresses 'after, along with, following', so अनुगच्छति means 'follows' or 'goes after'. Other prefixes such as prati- (against) or pra- (forward) would give different senses.

Question 47Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following is the correct form of the imperative (loṭ) third-person plural of 'भू' (bhū, 'to be')?

  1. भविष्यन्ति
  2. भवन्तु Correct answer.
  3. भवतु
  4. भवति

Explanation

The imperative third-person plural of भू is भवन्तु ('let them be'). भवति is the present indicative, भवतु the imperative third-person singular, and भविष्यन्ति the future.

Question 48Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In the sentence 'अहं ग्रामं गच्छामि, त्वं ग्रामं गच्छसि', what does the ending -सि on 'गच्छसि' indicate?

  1. Third-person singular subject, 'he/she goes'
  2. First-person singular subject, 'I go'
  3. Second-person dual subject, 'you two go'
  4. Second-person singular subject, 'you (one person) go' Correct answer.

Explanation

The present-tense ending -si marks the second-person singular, so गच्छसि means 'you go'. First-person singular takes -āmi (गच्छामि), third-person singular -ti (गच्छति), and second-person dual -thas (गच्छथः).

Question 49Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

Which of the following correctly identifies the two members of the dvandva compound 'मातापितरौ' (mātāpitarau)?

  1. माता + पितरौ, meaning 'mother and father' Correct answer.
  2. माता + पितरौ, meaning 'parents' as a bahuvrīhi
  3. माता + पिता, meaning 'father of the mother'
  4. माता + पितरौ, meaning 'mother of the father'

Explanation

A dvandva joins two coordinate nouns, and the compound takes dual or plural number to reflect the pair: माता + पितरौ = 'mother and father'. The genitive-based interpretations would require a tatpuruṣa, and a bahuvrīhi would denote an outside referent.

Question 50Sanskrit language and literature (content domains not enumerated in the source)

In Sanskrit drama, the 'नान्दी' (nāndī) that opens a play serves which purpose?

  1. It is a benedictory invocation blessing the audience and seeking success Correct answer.
  2. It is the final concluding speech of the play
  3. It is a stage direction describing the scenery
  4. It is a comic interlude performed by the vidūṣaka

Explanation

The nāndī is the opening benediction of a Sanskrit play, invoking deities and wishing well for the audience and production. It precedes the prologue (prastāvanā), not the conclusion, and is distinct from comic interludes or stage directions.