Question

Who among the following was associated with the critical edition of the Mahabharata?

• A. Valmiki
• B. V.S. Sukthankar
• C. D.D. Kosambi
• D. Ved Vyasa

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The critical edition of the Mahabharata is a scholarly project that aimed to compile, edit, and standardize the numerous versions of the Mahabharata text. This project was crucial in creating a comprehensive and authoritative version of the epic by critically comparing various manuscripts. V.S. Sukthankar played a pivotal role in this significant undertaking. He was an eminent Indologist and scholar who spearheaded the critical edition project undertaken by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune. Under his guidance, the project meticulously combined hundreds of manuscripts to produce a critical version of the Mahabharata, considered authoritative among scholars.

Hence, the correct answer to the question is: V.S. Sukthankar.

Answer 2

V.S. Sukthankar was an eminent scholar and one of the leading figures behind the creation of the critical edition of the Mahabharata, one of the longest and most significant epics in Indian literature. His work in the mid-20th century involved analyzing numerous manuscripts of the epic, many of which contained variations in text and details due to regional and historical differences.

Sukthankar's efforts, along with the contributions of other scholars, helped establish a more standardized and academically reliable version of the Mahabharata. His work was groundbreaking in its rigorous comparison of multiple manuscripts, allowing for a critical study that has since been used by scholars worldwide. Sukthankar's dedication to preserving the authenticity of the Mahabharata has made his critical edition a cornerstone of Indology and textual scholarship.