Sanskrit Language and Literature (Karnataka II PUC)
The domain Sanskrit language and literature is the single content area of the Karnataka II PUC Sanskrit paper. It tests three linked abilities: reading a prescribed prose, poetry or drama passage accurately; explaining its grammar with the correct Sanskrit terminology; and showing literary appreciation through alaṃkāra and chandas. Answers are expected in Sanskrit, with Kannada used only where the paper permits it. The paper rewards precise terminology: sandhi, samāsa, kāraka, pratyaya, alaṃkāra and chandas.
Grammar in context
Sandhi questions ask you to join or split a form and name the rule. Learn the common set: savarṇadīrgha, guṇa, vṛddhi, yaṇ, ścutva, visarga-sandhi. For samāsa, first write the vigraha, then classify. Tatpuruṣa has its head in the final member; dvandva coordinates members; bahuvrīhi points to an outside referent; avyayībhāva is indeclinable and its first member usually governs. Vibhakti is decided by kāraka, not by word order; passive sentences put the agent in tṛtīyā.
Poetics and metre
Alaṃkāra answers need the definition plus the words that trigger it: upamā uses iva, yathā or sādharmya; rūpaka states identity; utprekṣā presents fancy as fact; anuprāsa repeats consonants. For chandas, scan each pāda into laghu/guru and count: anuṣṭubh 8+8+8+8, indravajrā 11, upendravajrā 11, vasantatilakā 14, śārdūlavikrīḍita 19.
Worked example
Take चन्द्रमुखी. Vigraha: चन्द्र इव मुखं यस्याः सा. The compound denotes a woman, not a moon or a face, so the head lies outside. It is bahuvrīhi. A karmadhāraya would mean 'moon-face' as a kind of face (चन्द्ररूपं मुखम्), which is wrong here.
Traps
Most lost marks come from: (1) naming a sandhi by its result rather than its rule; (2) calling every comparison upamā - check for identity before choosing rūpaka; (3) confusing bahuvrīhi with karmadhāraya; (4) counting only syllables in chandas and ignoring guru/laghu; (5) leaving the vigraha out of a samāsa answer.