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Maharashtra HSC Sanskrit (MSBSHSE) study materials
Maharashtra HSC Sanskrit (MSBSHSE) study resources

Maharashtra HSC Sanskrit (MSBSHSE) practice questions

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Question 1Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the Maharashtra HSC Sanskrit Gadya section, the prose lesson 'Mitra-labhah' is drawn from which source text?

  1. Vetala-panchavimshatika
  2. Panchatantra Correct answer.
  3. Hitopadesha
  4. Kathasaritsagara

Explanation

The prescribed prose 'Mitra-labhah' (gaining of friends) belongs to the Panchatantra tradition, specifically the first tantra on the winning of friends. The Hitopadesha is a later recension that reworks Panchatantra material, but the standard HSC attribution for this lesson is the Panchatantra.

Question 2Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

The Panchatantra's first tantra, from which the HSC prose lesson 'Mitra-labhah' is taken, principally teaches which theme?

  1. How to win trustworthy allies through wisdom Correct answer.
  2. How to conquer a kingdom by force
  3. How to perform Vedic sacrifices correctly
  4. How to compose Sanskrit poetry in metre

Explanation

The title 'Mitra-labhah' literally means 'the gaining of friends', and the tantra shows how a clever animal builds a lasting alliance through diplomacy and intelligence. Force, ritual, and poetics are not the framing theme of this tantra.

Question 3Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the HSC prose lesson based on the Panchatantra, the character Damanaka is best described as which of the following?

  1. A learned brahmin who teaches the princes
  2. A merchant who loses his wealth at sea
  3. A hermit who explains the duties of kings
  4. A cunning jackal in the service of the lion king Correct answer.

Explanation

Damanaka is the shrewd jackal who, with his companion Karataka, serves the lion Pingalaka and devises a plan to regain the king's favour. The brahmin teacher and the merchant belong to other frame stories of the text.

Question 4Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

The Sanskrit word 'gadya' in the HSC paper's section heading refers to which literary form?

  1. Drama
  2. Maxim
  3. Prose Correct answer.
  4. Verse

Explanation

'Gadya' denotes prose composition, as opposed to 'padya' (verse). The HSC Sanskrit paper divides its text study into Gadya, Padya and Natya sections, so the Gadya section covers the prescribed prose lessons.

Question 5Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

The lion king around whom the Damanaka story revolves in the prescribed prose lesson is named which of the following?

  1. Damanaka
  2. Sanjivaka
  3. Karataka
  4. Pingalaka Correct answer.

Explanation

Pingalaka is the lion king whose court the two jackals serve. Karataka is Damanaka's companion, Sanjivaka is the bull, and Damanaka is the scheming jackal himself.

Question 6Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the Panchatantra story of the lion and the bull, Sanjivaka is by species which of the following?

  1. A bull Correct answer.
  2. A lion
  3. A crow
  4. A jackal

Explanation

Sanjivaka is the bull whom the lion Pingalaka befriends, prompting Damanaka's jealousy and intrigue. The jackals are Damanaka and Karataka, and the lion is Pingalaka.

Question 7Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

Which pair of jackals appears together in the HSC prose lesson from the Panchatantra?

  1. Damanaka and Sanjivaka
  2. Sanjivaka and Pingalaka
  3. Karataka and Pingalaka
  4. Damanaka and Karataka Correct answer.

Explanation

Damanaka and Karataka are the two jackals who serve the lion; their dialogue opens the tantra. The other pairs mix species and roles that the text keeps distinct.

Question 8Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

The prose lessons in the MSBSHSE Sanskrit textbook are traditionally introduced through which framing device?

  1. A monk debating rival philosophers
  2. A teacher instructing princes in statecraft Correct answer.
  3. A court poet praising a king
  4. A woman narrating tales to children

Explanation

The Panchatantra frame presents a learned brahmin commissioned to instruct three dull princes in statecraft through illustrative tales. The other frames belong to different Sanskrit narrative traditions.

Question 9Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

Read this line from a prescribed prose lesson: 'damanakah uvacha - kim api chintayitva kathayishyami.' The verb form 'kathayishyami' is in which tense and person?

  1. Imperative mood, second person singular
  2. Present tense, first person singular
  3. Past tense, third person singular
  4. Future tense, first person singular Correct answer.

Explanation

The suffix -ishya- marks the future tense, and the ending -mi marks the first person singular, giving 'I shall speak'. The present would be 'kathayami', and the past 'akathayam'.

Question 10Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the HSC prose passage, a sentence reads 'Pingalakah sanjivakam drishtva atishayam prasannah abhavat.' Which case is 'sanjivakam' in, and why?

  1. Genitive singular, as a possessor
  2. Accusative singular, as the object of 'drishtva' Correct answer.
  3. Instrumental singular, as the means
  4. Nominative singular, as the subject

Explanation

'Sanjivakam' ends in -am and is the person seen, so it functions as the accusative object of the perception. The nominative would be 'sanjivakah', the instrumental 'sanjivakena', and the genitive 'sanjivakasya'.

Question 11Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

A prose lesson line uses the word 'atishayam' to describe the lion's joy. What does 'atishayam' convey here?

  1. Exceedingly, to a high degree Correct answer.
  2. Reluctantly, with hesitation
  3. Briefly, for a short while
  4. Secretly, without others knowing

Explanation

'Atishayam' functions as an adverb of intensity meaning 'exceedingly' or 'greatly'. The other glosses would require entirely different Sanskrit words such as 'rahasi' or 'kshanam'.

Question 12Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prose lesson, the phrase 'mantri-bhavam praptah' describes Damanaka's ambition. The compound 'mantri-bhavam' is best rendered as which of the following?

  1. The house of a minister
  2. A minister's wife
  3. The speech of a minister
  4. The position of a minister or counsellor Correct answer.

Explanation

The suffix -bhava in such compounds denotes a state or position, so 'mantri-bhavam' means 'the status of a counsellor'. The other senses would need words like 'vakya', 'patni' or 'griha'.

Question 13Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prescribed prose text, a sentence states 'Karatakah dharmabuddhya uvacha.' What does 'dharmabuddhya' express in this construction?

  1. Dative case, meaning 'for the sake of duty'
  2. Instrumental case, meaning 'with a sense of duty' Correct answer.
  3. Ablative case, meaning 'from duty'
  4. Vocative case, meaning 'O sense of duty'

Explanation

The ending -ya here marks the instrumental singular of a stem in -i, so 'dharmabuddhya' means 'with or out of a sense of duty'. The dative would be 'dharmabuddhaye' and the ablative 'dharmabuddheh'.

Question 14Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

Which statement best explains why the Panchatantra uses animal characters to teach political wisdom in the HSC prose lessons?

  1. Sanskrit grammar forbids depicting human kings
  2. Animal fables let the text criticise courtly conduct indirectly and memorably Correct answer.
  3. Animals were believed to possess Vedic authority
  4. The text was written only for children and avoided adult themes

Explanation

The fable frame allows sharp commentary on courts and kingship while remaining engaging and teachable, which suits the stated aim of instructing princes. Animals carry no Vedic authority, and Sanskrit literature freely depicts kings.

Question 15Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

A prose lesson sentence reads 'Sanjivakah Pingalakam drishtva bhitah palayitva vanam agachchhat.' Which verb form denotes the action performed first?

  1. palayitva Correct answer.
  2. bhitah
  3. drishtva
  4. agachchhat

Explanation

The gerund or absolutive in -itva marks an action completed before the main verb; here 'palayitva' precedes 'agachchhat'. 'Bhitah' is a past participle used adjectivally, and 'agachchhat' is the finite main verb.

Question 16Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prose lessons, the word 'katha' repeatedly appears. Which sense does it carry in expressions such as 'katham kathayati'?

  1. A tale or story that is narrated Correct answer.
  2. A mathematical calculation
  3. A type of metre
  4. A sacrificial fire

Explanation

'Katha' means a tale or narrative, and 'katham kathayati' means 'tells a story'. The other senses belong to unrelated vocabulary such as 'ganita', 'agni' and 'chhandas'.

Question 17Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

The prose lesson uses the word 'panditah' for the brahmin teacher. How does the text use the term in context?

  1. A merchant, with emphasis on his trade
  2. A king, with emphasis on his royal power
  3. A wealthy man, with emphasis on his possessions
  4. A learned man, with emphasis on his mastery of shastra Correct answer.

Explanation

'Panditah' denotes a learned person, and in the frame the brahmin is defined by his scriptural learning. Wealth, kingship and trade are conveyed by other terms entirely.

Question 18Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In a prose passage Damanaka says 'aham eva rajyam karishyami.' Which of the following best captures the force of 'eva' in this sentence?

  1. It changes the verb to the past tense
  2. It makes the sentence a question
  3. It negates the verb, giving 'I shall not rule'
  4. It emphasises 'aham', giving 'I myself alone' Correct answer.

Explanation

The particle 'eva' is an emphatic particle that intensifies the word it follows, here restricting the action to the speaker. It does not negate, interrogate, or alter tense.

Question 19Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

Which statement correctly distinguishes 'gadya' from 'padya' as used in the HSC Sanskrit paper?

  1. Gadya is Sanskrit, while padya is Prakrit
  2. Gadya is unbound prose, while padya is metrically bound verse Correct answer.
  3. Gadya is verse, while padya is prose
  4. Gadya is dialogue, while padya is narration

Explanation

The distinction is formal: 'gadya' lacks fixed metre, whereas 'padya' is composed in metres such as anushtubh. Language and narrative mode are not what the terms contrast.

Question 20Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

A prose lesson passage states 'Pingalakah sanjivakena saha maitrim akarot.' Which case is 'sanjivakena' and what does it express?

  1. Locative singular, expressing place
  2. Accusative singular, expressing the object
  3. Instrumental singular, expressing accompaniment with 'saha' Correct answer.
  4. Dative singular, expressing purpose

Explanation

The ending -ena marks the instrumental singular, and with 'saha' it expresses accompaniment: 'together with Sanjivaka'. The accusative would be 'sanjivakam' and the locative 'sanjivake'.

Question 21Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

The prose lesson's opening verse often states the reward of studying niti-shastra. Which benefit does such a statement typically claim?

  1. Mastery of Sanskrit grammar alone
  2. Guaranteed rebirth in a heavenly world
  3. Freedom from the cycle of rebirth through ritual
  4. Attainment of wise conduct and success in worldly affairs Correct answer.

Explanation

Niti literature promises practical wisdom in conduct and success in life, which is why the princes are taught through it. Liberation through ritual and grammatical mastery are not the claims of this genre's benedictory verses.

Question 22Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

Consider the sentence 'Damanakah chintayat api bahih hasan iva uvacha.' What does the construction 'hasan iva' contribute?

  1. An absolutive meaning 'after laughing'
  2. A finite verb meaning 'he laughed loudly'
  3. A present participle with 'iva', suggesting he spoke as if laughing Correct answer.
  4. A noun phrase meaning 'a laugh'

Explanation

'Hasan' is a present participle agreeing with the subject, and 'iva' adds the sense of 'as if', describing the manner of speaking. It is not a finite verb, an absolutive, or a noun.

Question 23Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prose lesson, Damanaka's argument that the king's neglect must be remedied by clever counsel reflects which branch of traditional learning?

  1. Vyakarana, the science of grammar
  2. Niti, the science of policy and statecraft Correct answer.
  3. Chhandas, the science of metre
  4. Jyotisha, the science of astrology

Explanation

Counsel about kings, alliances and policy belongs to niti, the branch the Panchatantra is designed to teach. Grammar, astrology and metrics are separate technical disciplines.

Question 24Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

A prose lesson line reads 'Karatakah dhiro bhutva damanakam prati uvacha.' Which analysis of 'dhiro bhutva' is correct?

  1. An infinitive meaning 'to become calm'
  2. A gerund construction meaning 'having become calm', subordinate to the main verb Correct answer.
  3. A compound noun meaning 'a calm man' in the nominative
  4. A finite verb meaning 'he became calm'

Explanation

'Bhutva' is the absolutive of the root bhu, so 'dhiro bhutva' means 'having become calm' and sets up the main action 'uvacha'. It is not a finite verb, a noun compound, or an infinitive.

Question 25Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

Which feature most clearly marks the HSC Gadya lessons as classical Sanskrit prose narrative rather than modern short fiction?

  1. Refusal to include any moral teaching
  2. Absence of any dialogue between characters
  3. Use of gerunds, participles and compounds to link long periodic sentences Correct answer.
  4. Use of only present-tense verbs throughout

Explanation

Classical Sanskrit prose builds long sentences by chaining absolutives, participles and compounds before the finite verb, a feature visible throughout these lessons. Dialogue and moral teaching are in fact prominent, and past tenses are freely used.

Question 26Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the HSC Sanskrit Gadya syllabus, the Panchatantra lessons are drawn from which larger narrative tradition?

  1. The Panchatantra Correct answer.
  2. The Mahabharata
  3. The Hitopadesha
  4. The Ramayana

Explanation

The prose lessons in the MSBSHSE Sanskrit textbook include stories from the Panchatantra, a collection of animal fables that teach niti (political wisdom). The other epics and the Hitopadesha are separate works, though the Hitopadesha also draws on Panchatantra material.

Question 27Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the Panchatantra prose lesson, the bull Sanjivaka is described as 'vrishabhah'. What does 'vrishabhah' mean?

  1. A bull Correct answer.
  2. A jackal
  3. A lion
  4. A Brahmin

Explanation

'Vrishabhah' is the Sanskrit word for a bull, which matches Sanjivaka's identity in the story. The other animals named in the options appear elsewhere in the text but are denoted by different words.

Question 28Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

The prose lesson uses the word 'niti'. In the context of the Panchatantra, what does 'niti' primarily refer to?

  1. Devotion to God
  2. Medical science
  3. Grammar and linguistics
  4. Political wisdom and prudent conduct Correct answer.

Explanation

'Niti' in the Panchatantra denotes the science of wise and prudent conduct, especially in statecraft and diplomacy. The stories illustrate this through animal characters and their strategies.

Question 29Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the sentence 'Damanakah uvacha - aham rajyam karishyami', what does the future tense 'karishyami' express?

  1. A completed past action
  2. A command in the imperative
  3. An intention to act in the future Correct answer.
  4. A habitual present action

Explanation

The suffix '-ishyami' marks the first-person singular future tense, so 'karishyami' means 'I will do'. It expresses Damanaka's intention to act, not a past or habitual action, and it is not an imperative.

Question 30Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prose lesson, the compound 'mantri-bhavam' (as in 'mantri-bhavam praptah') is best analysed as which type of compound?

  1. Bahuvrihi
  2. Tatpurusha Correct answer.
  3. Dvandva
  4. Avyayibhava

Explanation

In 'mantri-bhavam', the first member 'mantri' determines the second member 'bhavam', giving the sense 'the state of being a minister'. This determinative relation is tatpurusha. A dvandva would coordinate two equal members, a bahuvrihi would describe an external referent, and an avyayibhava would begin with an indeclinable.

Question 31Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prose passage, the form 'sanjivakena saha' occurs. Which case is 'sanjivakena' and what does it express?

  1. Ablative singular, expressing separation
  2. Instrumental singular, expressing accompaniment with 'saha' Correct answer.
  3. Dative singular, expressing purpose
  4. Genitive singular, expressing possession

Explanation

The ending '-ena' marks the instrumental singular of a masculine a-stem noun. With 'saha', the instrumental expresses accompaniment, so 'sanjivakena saha' means 'together with Sanjivaka'. The dative, ablative, and genitive have different endings and functions.

Question 32Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

A prose lesson line reads 'Karatakah dhiro bhutva damanakam prati uvacha.' How is the construction 'dhiro bhutva' best analysed?

  1. An absolute construction meaning 'while he was wise'
  2. A participial phrase meaning 'having become wise' Correct answer.
  3. A finite verb meaning 'he became wise'
  4. A noun phrase meaning 'the wise man'

Explanation

'Bhutva' is the indeclinable past participle of the root 'bhu', meaning 'having become'. Together with the predicate adjective 'dhiro', it forms a participial phrase describing the subject Karataka. It is not a finite verb, not an absolute construction, and not a noun phrase.

Question 33Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prose lesson, the word 'katha' appears in expressions such as 'katham kathayati'. Which sense does 'katha' carry there?

  1. A command
  2. A story or narrative Correct answer.
  3. A question
  4. A doubt

Explanation

In 'katham kathayati', 'katham' is the accusative singular of 'katha', meaning 'a story', so the phrase means 'tells a story'. The word does not mean a command, a question, or a doubt in this context.

Question 34Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prose lesson, the term 'panditah' is used for the Brahmin teacher. How does the text use this term?

  1. To indicate his caste by birth
  2. To indicate his learning and wisdom Correct answer.
  3. To indicate his skill in grammar
  4. To indicate his wealth

Explanation

'Panditah' in Sanskrit denotes a learned person, one who possesses wisdom and knowledge. In the Panchatantra context, the teacher is called 'panditah' because of his learning, not because of wealth, caste, or grammatical skill alone.

Question 35Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In a prose passage, Damanaka says 'aham eva rajyam karishyami.' Which of the following best captures the force of 'eva' in this sentence?

  1. It emphasises that Damanaka himself will rule Correct answer.
  2. It expresses a wish
  3. It negates the action
  4. It expresses doubt about the action

Explanation

The particle 'eva' is an emphatic particle that stresses the word it follows. Here it emphasises 'aham', so the sentence means 'I myself will rule'. It does not express doubt, negation, or a wish.

Question 36Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prose lesson, the sentence 'Pingalakah sanjivakam drishtva atishayam prasannah abhavat' occurs. What does 'atishayam' convey here?

  1. Slightly
  2. Previously
  3. Extremely Correct answer.
  4. Secretly

Explanation

'Atishayam' is an adverb meaning 'exceedingly' or 'extremely', modifying the extent of Pingalaka's joy. It does not mean 'slightly', 'previously', or 'secretly'.

Question 37Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

The prose lesson opens with a verse stating the reward of studying niti-shastra. Which benefit does such a statement typically promise?

  1. Skill in debate
  2. Mastery of rituals
  3. Freedom from rebirth
  4. Prosperity and wise conduct Correct answer.

Explanation

Opening verses in niti literature typically promise that the study of niti leads to prosperity, success, and wise conduct in life. Freedom from rebirth, skill in debate, and mastery of rituals belong to other textual genres.

Question 38Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

Consider the sentence 'Damanakah chintayat api bahih hasan iva uvacha.' What does the construction 'hasan iva' contribute to the sentence?

  1. It marks a causal clause.
  2. It indicates a completed action.
  3. It expresses a direct command.
  4. It suggests a feigned or apparent smile. Correct answer.

Explanation

The present participle 'hasan' means 'smiling', and the particle 'iva' means 'as if' or 'like'. Together they convey that Damanaka spoke as if smiling, that is, with a feigned smile. The construction does not mark completion, command, or cause.

Question 39Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the prose lesson, Damanaka argues that the king's neglect must be remedied by clever counsel. This argument reflects which branch of traditional Indian learning?

  1. Vyakarana
  2. Ayurveda
  3. Niti Correct answer.
  4. Jyotisha

Explanation

Damanaka's advice concerns statecraft, diplomacy, and prudent conduct in the king's service, which is the domain of niti. Vyakarana is grammar, jyotisha is astrology, and ayurveda is medicine.

Question 40Prose (Gadya) from prescribed textbook

In the Gadya prose lesson, the sentence 'Damanakah sanjivakam drishtva maitrim akarot' uses the gerund 'drishtva'. Which grammatical rule best explains why 'drishtva' stays unchanged in form while 'akarot' carries the tense marking?

  1. The gerund agrees in number and person with 'Damanakah', so it takes the same singular ending as the main verb.
  2. The gerund is a verbal noun in the accusative case, so it stands as the object of 'akarot'.
  3. The gerund is a past passive participle, so it must agree with 'sanjivakam' in gender, number and case.
  4. The gerund (ktva-pratyaya) is indeclinable and expresses an action completed before the main verb, so it takes no tense or person ending. Correct answer.

Explanation

Sanskrit gerunds formed with the ktva-pratyaya, such as 'drishtva', 'bhutva' and 'hatva', are indeclinable forms. They never take case, number, gender or person endings and they denote an action completed before the action of the finite verb. The finite verb 'akarot' alone carries tense, person and number, here past tense, third person singular, agreeing with 'Damanakah'.

Question 41Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

In the Maharashtra HSC Sanskrit Padya section, a verse written in the anuṣṭubh metre normally contains how many syllables in each pāda?

  1. Twelve
  2. Fourteen
  3. Eight Correct answer.
  4. Eleven

Explanation

Anuṣṭubh is the common eight-syllable metre of the Sanskrit śloka, with four pādas of eight syllables each. The prescribed Padya verses include several ślokas in this metre, so counting eight syllables per pāda identifies it.

Question 42Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

A Padya verse in which the first and third pādas rhyme together, while the second and fourth form a separate rhyme pair, follows which rhyme scheme?

  1. a b a b Correct answer.
  2. a a a a
  3. a b b a
  4. a a b b

Explanation

Most Sanskrit four-pāda verses rhyme the first with the third pāda and the second with the fourth, giving the pattern a b a b. This alternating pattern is the norm in the śloka and in many prescribed verses.

Question 43Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

In the Padya portion of the prescribed textbook, the term 'upamā alaṅkāra' refers to which figure of speech?

  1. Comparison of two things through a word such as 'iva' or 'yathā' Correct answer.
  2. Repetition of a word at the start of successive clauses
  3. Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis
  4. Attribution of human qualities to an inanimate object

Explanation

Upamā is simile: an object is compared to another dissimilar object through an indicator such as iva, yathā, or sannibha. The other choices describe different alaṅkāras, so only the first defines upamā.

Question 44Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

Which statement correctly describes the structure of a Sanskrit Padya verse as studied in the prescribed textbook?

  1. It is composed of exactly three lines
  2. It is divided into four pādas, each a metrical quarter Correct answer.
  3. It is a single unbroken prose sentence
  4. It is divided into two halves called vākyas

Explanation

A Sanskrit verse is normally divided into four metrical quarters called pādas, each subject to a fixed syllable count. The prescribed Padyas are presented pāda by pāda, so the four-quarter structure is fundamental.

Question 45Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

In the Padya section of the Maharashtra HSC Sanskrit course, the poet Bhartṛhari is chiefly represented by verses from which work?

  1. Meghadūta
  2. Kirātārjunīya
  3. Nītiśataka Correct answer.
  4. Raghuvaṃśa

Explanation

Bhartṛhari's three śataka collections include the Nītiśataka, verses of which appear in the prescribed Padya syllabus. The other titles belong to Kālidāsa and Bhāravi, so they cannot be Bhartṛhari's.

Question 46Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

When a Sanskrit verse in the prescribed Padya section ends with a benedictory or moral statement, that closing idea is usually placed in which pāda?

  1. The fourth pāda Correct answer.
  2. The third pāda
  3. The first pāda
  4. The second pāda

Explanation

In many prescribed verses the concluding pāda carries the moral, blessing, or punchline, because the listener's attention is held until the final quarter. The first pāda typically sets the scene or topic instead.

Question 47Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

Which of these is the standard Sanskrit term for a stanza or verse, as used in the Padya section of the prescribed textbook?

  1. Padya Correct answer.
  2. Bhāṣya
  3. Gadya
  4. Sūtra

Explanation

Padya denotes metrical composition, i.e. verse, and the syllabus section is named for it. Gadya means prose, while sūtra and bhāṣya are aphoristic and commentarial prose forms.

Question 48Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

In the prescribed Sanskrit Padyas, a verse beginning with a salutation to a deity or to an honoured person serves which function?

  1. Upasaṃhāra, a closing summary
  2. Maṅgalācaraṇa, an auspicious opening Correct answer.
  3. Kathanā, narrative dialogue
  4. Sūcanā, a table of contents

Explanation

A maṅgalācaraṇa is an invocation or auspicious opening that seeks blessing before the main subject begins. It stands at the start of a work or section, not at the end.

Question 49Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

A prescribed verse describes a lamp whose flame is compared to a dancing girl because it flickers. Which alaṅkāra is primarily illustrated?

  1. Śleṣa
  2. Anuprāsa
  3. Utprekṣā Correct answer.
  4. Yamaka

Explanation

Utprekṣā is fanciful imagination, where one thing is poetically supposed to be another, often with words such as 'iva' or 'manye'. Treating a flickering flame as a dancing girl is exactly such an imagined identification.

Question 50Poetry (Padya) from prescribed textbook

In a prescribed verse the poet repeats the same consonant cluster at the start of each pāda to create musical effect. Which figure is being used?

  1. Upamā
  2. Anuprāsa Correct answer.
  3. Rūpaka
  4. Atiśayokti

Explanation

Anuprāsa is the repetition of similar consonants within a verse to produce a pleasing sound. The effect is auditory and does not depend on comparison or exaggeration.