Authors-Literature of Ancient India

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 About Me
Ten Years Experience online & offline
teaching

BE Civil, M. Planning (CEPT University)

Cleared GPSC, Worked at Govt. of Gujarat

Pratik Nayak -Unacademy

 UPSC CSE- Prelims 2022

([CSP22-SET-B] Q.85) With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts :
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts ?
(a) 1,2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1,3 and 4
(d) 2,3 and 4.

Difficulty : Tough 🥵
Type: Theory 📚

Attempt | Skip | 50:50

 UPSC CSE- Prelims 2022

[CSP22-SET-B] Q.86) With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs :
Historical person Known as
1. Aryadeva — Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga — Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni — Vaishnava scholar
How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?
(a) None of the pairs
(b) Only one pair
(c) Only two pairs
(d) All three pairs

Difficulty : Tough 🥵
Type: Theory 📚

Attempt | Skip | 50:50

 UPSC CSE- Prelims 2023

6. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the

following pairs:
Literary work Author
1. Devichandragupta : Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrit : Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Attempt | Skip | 50:50

Authors-Literature of Ancient India
 Authors-Literature of Ancient India

Gordon Childe-

Neolithic Revolution
 Authors-Literature of Ancient India

Personalities Associated with IVC

- Alexander Burnes
- Alexander Cunningham
- Dayaram Sahni
- RD Banerjee
- John Marshall

- Earnest Mackay
- REM Wheeler
Authors-Literature of Ancient India
 Authors-Literature of Ancient India

Q. Evidence of an “Invasion’’? Q. How did the decline took place ?

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 Authors-Literature of Ancient India

Q. Evidence of an “Invasion’’? Q. How did the decline took place ?

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 Authors-Literature of Ancient India

Q. Evidence of an “Invasion’’? Q. How did the decline took place ?

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Authors-Literature of Ancient India
 Authors-Literature of Ancient India

Vedic Age

Q. Who were the Aryans? Debate continues…..?

Literature Archaeology

- Linguistic group
Study by Fillipo Sasseti (Italian)- lived in Goa for five years from A.D. 1583 to 1588
- discovered relations between Sanskrit & European Languages & also Persian
- Mother = MATR (SAN) = MATER (PER) (LATIN) = METOR (GREEK) = MUTTER (GER.)
- By 1786, William jones – striking similarities outcome of one mother Language
- Max Muller – Language “Aryan”
- Karl Penka - Race

Ancient History- Pratik Nayak ©

 Authors-Literature of Ancient India
Vedic Age

From where they belonged to?

Eurasian Central Asia Arctic Tibet Indigenous

Theory Dr. Sampurnanand
Aryan speaking - Max Muller - Rigveda - Dayanand and A.C. Das
- Day & Night Saraswati –Sapta Sindhu
for 6 months Region
Asia Europe - B.G.Tilak Ritualsà Punjab region

- Hittis (Turkey) – Inar & Indra - Boghaz Kui inscriptions Ganganath Jha
- Kassite (Meso.) Suryas & – Brahmarishi Desa (Doab)
Marutash = Vedic story &
Marut L.D. Kala – Kashmir
- Indo – Iranian
- Indo – Greek
- Kassites (Babylon)

Ancient History- Pratik Nayak ©

 Authors-Literature of Ancient India
1. Rig Veda Vedic Age
- Praise of 1017 hymns (Sukta)
- 11 Valakhilyas – Supplement - Part of UNESCO intangible heritage
- Divided into 10 mandals
- Hymns dedicated to gods
- Orally passes on from teachers – disciples
- Mandals II to VII – Family books of sage / Rishi, Mandal I & X - Latest

Atri Bharadvaja Vashishtha Kanad

Gritsamada- Visvamitra Vamadeva
5th 6th 7th 8th
2nd 3rd 4th
Mandal X

- Mandal III – Composed by visvamitra

- Gayatri mantra
- Mandal VI – Term Hariyupa Purusha Sukta
Nadistuti Nasadiya Sukta
- Mandal VII – Dasrajana
- Mandal IX - Soma - Universe creation - Varna System

Ancient History- Pratik Nayak ©

 Authors-Literature of Ancient India
Vedic Age

Women Authors belonging to this Age ?

Term Used as Brahmavadini

- Apala
- Loapmudra

- Gosha
- Maityeri

- Gargi
- Indrani

- Vishwara
- Vagambrhimini

- Sikta
- Nivavari

Ancient History- Pratik Nayak ©

 Authors-Literature of Ancient India

Map

Rise of
Mahajanapada

Ancient History- Pratik Nayak

 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ? - Tripitaka

1. Hinayana canon written chiefly in Pali
Mahayana canon written chiefly in Sanskrit
- Vinaypitaka - Suttapitaka - Abhidhammapitaka
2. Other Pali Literature

3. Other Sanskrit Literature

Ancient History- Pratik Nayak ©

 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ?

Pali Literatureà
Compiled between 350 BC and 90 BC.

Vinaya Pitaka- Sutta Pitaka- Abhidhamma Pitaka

The Vinaya Pitaka (350 BC)

Patimokkha or rules of monastic discipline for bhikshus
1st Partà Mahavinhanga rules for admission to the monastic
order, the mode of life during the rainy season, regulations on
dress, and personal hygiene,

2nd Partà Bhikkunivibhanga

Khandaka- 22 chapters on various topics

edifying Buddhist stories,
duties for monks and nuns, methods of settling disputes among
monks, expiation and penances

Parivara- analysis of rules

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 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ?

Vinaya Pitaka- Social Significance ? (Probable Q.)

mentions 10 kinds of unions between a man and woman:
(1) When a woman is bought by money (dhanakkhita);
(2) when she stays of her own accord with a man (chhandavasini);
(3) when a man gives her money (bhogavasin);
(4) when a man gives her clothes (patavasini);
(5) when an ablution of water is performed (odapattakani);
(6) when she removes her headgear (obhatachumbata);
(7) when she is also a female slave (dasinama);
(8) when she is also a servant (kammakari);
(9) when she is temporarily with a man (muhuttika); and
(10) when she is captured in a raid (dhajahata).

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Mahavaga- speaks about Bimbasaras marriages
Mahavamsatika
Mahabodhivamsa
gives the following list of nine kings: Ugrasena, Panduka,
Pandugati, Bhutapala,
Rashtrapala, Govishanaka, Dashasiddhaka, Kaivarta, and Dhan

Brahmajala Sutta- refers 62 differen philosophical positions

concerning- this world, atman, casuality, death

Cullavaga-
accounts of the First and Second Buddhist councils and the
establishment of the community of bhikkhunis, as well as rules
for addressing offenses within the sangha
 Buddhism
- Buddhist Literature ?

Pali Literatureà
Compiled between 350 BC and 90 BC.
The Sutta Pitaka (300 BC)

Five nikaya or collections, of aphorisms, precepts and

discourses for the laity

1. Digha-nikayaà origin of the universe, rebirth, asceticism,

miracles, nirvana, heresy, condemnation of caste, and an account
of Buddha’s last speeches and his death and the funeral
Ceremonies

2. Majjhima-nikaya
relation of Buddha to the Jainas and other sections
various forms of asceticism, punishment in case of offences

3, Samyutta-nikayaà riddles, ballads, last sayings of buddha

4. Anguttara-nikayaà collection of sermons, also 16
mahajanapadas
5. Khuddaka-nikayaà comprising fifteen books, essence of
buddhism

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 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ?
Pali Literatureà

Sutta Pitaka
5. Khuddaka-nikayaà comprising fifteen books, essence of
buddhism

Khuddaka-pathaà for young people joining sangha

Dhammapada (the Law-path): saying of Buddha
Udana: story of blind person touching elephant
Itivuttaka: highlights problem of human existence
Suttanipata: origin of Buddhism and socio religious
conditions
The Jataka: stories of Buddha’s former lives
The Buddhavamsa: 24 buddhas who preceded Buddha
The Theragatha: Songs of Elders
The Therigatha:Songs of Lady Elders

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- Buddhist Literature ?
The Jataka: stories of Buddha’s former lives

Mahakapi Jataka
Chhadanta Jataka, Vidurpundita Jataka, Ruru Jataka, Sibi
Jataka, Vessantara Jataka and Shama Jataka
Sonadanda Sutta
Buddha’s discourses with Brahmin scholar- Sonadana
Brahmanahood was not a matter of birth—a true Brahmana was
not one who muttered Vedic verses, but one who had true
knowledge

Sigalavada Sutta
Buddha’s discourse about discipline with young boy- Sigala

Brahmajala Sutta- refers 62 differen philosophical positions

concerning- this world, atman, casuality, death
 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ?

Pali Literatureà

Abhidhamma Pitaka
Supplementary philosophical dissertations and
expositions of the finer points of mindtraining,
Psychology

Totalà seven books

2 Famous booksà
Dhammasangani (350 BC) provides a good
exposition of Buddhist philosophy, psychology
and ethics;

Kathavatthu (or Vinnanapada), ascribed to

Moggaliputta

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Buddhist Personalities who
travelled to China :

Kumarajiva (5th century)

Paramartha (6th century)- sent

during Gupta period
Never came back to India

Bodhidharma- travelled by Sea

route Doctrine of Shunyatavad
important non-canonical texts

Milindapanho (written in Pali, it consists of a

dialogue on various philosophical issues between
the Indo- Greek king Milinda/Menander and the
monk Nagasena

Nettipakarana
(The Book of Guidance, which gives a connected
account of the Buddha’s teachings),

Visuddhimagga (The Path to Purity, written by

Buddhaghosa, deals with development from
purity of discipline to nibanna/enlightenment)
Analysis of Theravadan school of thought
Nidanakatha (first connected life story of
Buddha)

Dipavamsa and the Mahavamsa (written in

Pali, both contain historical cum mythical
account of the Buddha’s life, Buddhist
councils, Ashoka, and arrival of Buddhism to
Sri Lanka

Mahavastu (written in mixed Sanskrit–

Prakrit, it lays down the sacred biography,
i.e., hagiography of the Buddha.)
Hinayana doctrines along with additional
metaphysics of the Mahasanghika (proto-
Mahayana) sects.
 Buddhism
- Buddhist Literature ?

Bactrian Greek and the Kushana periods of Indian

history
Favoured Mahayana Writing

Lalitavistara (30 BC) is an anonymous biography of

Buddha written
in the Gatha (Sanskritized Prakrit) form of language

Therawada school of Ceylon

the Dipavamsa (350 AD), Island Chronicle’, of unknown
authorship, which speaks of introduction of Buddhism
into Ceylon by Asoka’s son Mahinda;
and Mahavamsa (550 AD) composed by the monk
Mahanama

Ananda- 12th century- wrote Upasakajanalamkara

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 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ?

Sanskrit Literature – part of Mahayana Sect

series of dialogues, discourses and sermons, delivered by
Buddha
known as the Vaipulya Sutras or ‘expanded discourses

Nagarjunaà Myadhmik Darshan- wrote book- Mula

Madhyamika Karika

Asvagoshaà wrote Buddha Charita & Saundaryananda

Contemporary of Kanishka, Polymath personality- Dance,
Music, drama etc.
Other scholars of Madhyamika School- Aryadeva,
Buddhapalita, Bhavaviveka, Chandrakirti and Shantideva

Asanga & Vasavbandhuà

important teacher of Yogachara or Vijnanavada school
founded by his
guru, Maitreyanatha
greatest work, Abhidharmakosa- encyclopedia of
Buddhism
Other commentaries- Samdhinirmochana and Lankavatra
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 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ?

Sanskrit Literature – part of Mahayana Sect

Ashtashasrika Prajna-paramita

Saddharma-puhdarikaà Lotus Sutra

Both texts give tdetails of various buddha &
bodhisatvas

Dinnaga’s – (5th Century CE) wrote

Nyayapravesha

Gandhavyuhaà part of the above Avatamsaka

Sutra, relates to Buddha’s story at Sravasti

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 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ?

Sanskrit Literature – part of Mahayana Sect

Avadanashataka (2nd century) and

Divyavadana (4th century)
Ashokavadana

Mahaparinibbana Sutta
Sramanaphala Sutta

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 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ?

Sanskrit Literature – part of Mahayana Sect

Prominent authors
Aryadeva
Buddhapalita

Scholars during Gupta Period-

Buddhaghosha, Buddhadatta, and Dhammapala

Sant Rakshita- belonged to Pala period

Atisa Dipankar

Tibetan monk Taranatha- wrote in 17th Century

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 Buddhism

- Buddhist Literature ?

Sanghabhuti, author of a commentary on the Sarvastivada

Vinaya

monk Punyatrata travelled to central Asia along with his

student Dharmayashas
and translated several Sarvastivadin texts between 397
and 401 CE

Shantideva - Bodhicharyavatara (8th century CE) describes

the Mahayana rites

Manjushrimulakalpa and the Guhyasamaja (5-6th

Centuries) Tantric Buddhism

Mahasiddha’s- wrote Charyapada in Pala period

Part of Tantric Buddhism

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- Buddhist Literature ?
Buddhism

Sanskrit Literature à Sutras

(a) the Sukhavativyuha, dealing with the
subject of salvation through faith in Amitabha;

(b) the Vajrachhedika or the

Diamond Sutra, the doctrine of sunyata and clarifies several
other concepts central to Mahayana,

(c) the Mahapari-nirvana, delivered by Buddha just as he was about to

enter nirvana,

(d) the Lankavatara (400 AD), supposedly written by Vasubandhu,

teaches the ultimate reality of Mind alone; and

(e) the Surangama outlines the means of attaining enlightenment

by concentration, meditation, and super conscious intuition.
in the form of a dialogue between Buddha and the errant Ananda who
had been lured by the harlot Chitta

Many of them were translated to Chinese and Japanese languages

Tibetean literatureà Kanzur literature

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THANKS!