Chronologically arrange the following Sanskrit texts (starting from the earliest):
- 1. Brihat Samhita of Varahmihir
- 2. Sushrut Samhita
- 3. Ashtadhyayi of Panini
- 4. Natyashastra of Bharat
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1, 4, 2, 3
4, 3, 1, 2
3, 2, 4, 1
2, 3, 1, 4
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2020
1. Brihat Samhita of Varahamihira: Varahamihira was a 6th-century CE astronomer and mathematician (c. 505–587 CE). Brihat Samhita is from this period.
2. Sushruta Samhita: A foundational text of Ayurveda, its core text is generally dated to the late BCE to early CE period (e.g., 1st-4th century CE).
3. Ashtadhyayi of Panini: The fundamental text of Sanskrit grammar, Panini’s work is widely dated to the 5th-4th century BCE.
4. Natyashastra of Bharat Muni: A comprehensive treatise on the performing arts, its composition period is debated but generally placed between 200 BCE and 200 CE, or broadly 1st-4th century CE, making it roughly contemporary with or slightly later than the core Sushruta Samhita.
Arranging from earliest to latest:
Panini’s Ashtadhyayi (5th-4th Century BCE) comes first (3).
Sushruta Samhita (1st-4th Century CE) and Natyashastra (1st-4th Century CE) come next. The order between 2 and 4 is debated and often considered close, but Sushruta is sometimes placed slightly earlier.
Varahamihira’s Brihat Samhita (6th Century CE) is the latest (1).
The chronological order is 3 (Panini), followed by 2 (Sushruta) and 4 (Natyashastra), followed by 1 (Varahamihira). Option C, 3, 2, 4, 1, fits this sequence.