Question

Who wrote 'Nitivākyāmṛtam'?

• A. Bhartṛhari
• B. Kāmandaka
• C. Somadeva Suri
• D. King Bhoja

Hint:

Create a study list of important ancient and medieval Indian texts and their authors, especially in the genres of polity (Nītiśāstra), grammar (Vyākaraṇa), and philosophy (Darśana). This will help you quickly answer direct authorship questions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the author of the Sanskrit treatise 'Nītivākyāmṛtam'.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Nītivākyāmṛtam ("The Nectar of Aphorisms on Polity") is a work on political science and ethics written in the 10th century CE. It presents a Jain perspective on statecraft, drawing upon earlier works like Kautilya's Arthaśāstra.
The author of this text was Somadeva Sūri, a prominent Digambara Jain monk, poet, and scholar.
Let's consider the other authors listed:
1. Bhartṛhari: A 5th-century grammarian and poet, famous for the \textit{Vākyapadīya} (on grammar and linguistic philosophy) and the \textit{Śatakatraya} (three collections of hundred verses).
2. Kāmandaka: Author of the \textit{Nītisāra}, another important text on polity that is considered a summary of Kautilya's Arthaśāstra.
4. King Bhoja: The 11th-century Paramara king of Dhara, a great polymath credited with numerous works on a wide range of subjects, but not the Nītivākyāmṛtam.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author of 'Nitivākyāmṛtam' is Somadeva Suri. Therefore, option (3) is correct.