Question map
With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: 1. Aryadeva - Jaina scholar 2. Dignaga - Buddhist scholar 3. Nathamuni - Vaishnava scholar How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 3 (Only two pairs) because pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched, while pair 1 is incorrect.
- Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Aryadeva was a renowned Buddhist scholar and a disciple of Nagarjuna. He was a central figure in the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism, not a Jaina scholar.
- Pair 2 is correctly matched: Dignaga is widely regarded as the father of Buddhist logic (Pramana). He was a seminal philosopher of the Yogacara-Sautrantika tradition and authored the Pramana-samuccaya.
- Pair 3 is correctly matched: Nathamuni was a distinguished Vaishnava scholar and saint. He was the first of the Acharyas in the Sri Vaishnavism tradition and is credited with collecting and systematizing the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Since only pairs 2 and 3 are accurate, the correct choice is "Only two pairs."
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Paragraph Raid'. The examiner took one paragraph from the TN Class 11 History book (Gupta Period > Buddhist Literature) and extracted both Aryadeva and Dignaga. If you read the Dignaga line, you read the Aryadeva line. Nathamuni requires basic knowledge of the Bhakti movement's evolution (Alvars to Acharyas).
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Identifies named Jaina scholars (e.g., Siddasena Divakara, Vimala) and shows Jainism produced identifiable individual authors.
A student could compare lists of named Jaina authors in reference works to see if Aryadeva appears among them.
States that Jaina scholars produced literature in specific languages (Prakrit, Sanskrit, Tamil).
If Aryadeva's works or name are known in one of these languages, that linguistic association could support (or refute) a Jaina attribution.
Explains that Jaina monks wrote religious treatises and secular literature and names early canonical texts and their language (Ardha-Magadhi).
A student could check the language and genre of any texts attributed to Aryadeva to see if they match known Jaina literary traditions.
Gives examples of regional Jaina literary production (Tamil Jaina works and a Jaina Dravida Sangha), showing Jain authorship could be regionally specific.
A student could use Aryadeva's regional/linguistic associations (if known) to judge plausibility of Jaina affiliation.
Shows existence of distinct Jaina texts (e.g., Bhagavatisutra) and active sectarian rivalry, implying authorship is often tied to sectarian literature.
A student might check whether Aryadeva is cited in Jaina texts or polemics (or in Buddhist/other sectarian texts) to infer his sectarian identity.
- Places Dignaga in the section on Buddhist literature and names him as Vasubandhu's disciple.
- Describes Dignaga as the author of many learned works within the Buddhist literary tradition.
- Identifies Vasubandhu as a great Buddhist scholar patronised by Samudragupta.
- Provides contextual support linking Dignaga to a known Buddhist teacher, reinforcing his Buddhist affiliation.
- Identifies Nathamuni in the context of Sri Vaishnavism and notes his role in correlating Alvar bhakti theology with other Vaishnava texts.
- Places Nathamuni in the 9thโ10th century and links his scholarship explicitly to Vaishnava tradition.
- Calls Nathamuni 'the first prominent acarya of the Sri Vaisnava school' and credits him with formulating a systematic theology of devotion.
- Attributes to him foundational work for the Sri Vaisnava tradition, indicating his role as a Vaishnava teacher/scholar.
- States that Nathamuni took initial steps to collate Vaishnava philosophy and theology, showing his active role in Vaishnava scholarship.
- Notes that Nathamuni compiled the hymns (Alvar hymns), a central Vaishnava devotional corpus.
Notes that the poems of the Vaishnavite Azhwars were compiled as the Nalayira Divya Prabhandam โ a key Vaishnava corpus associated with South Indian devotional tradition.
A student could check whether Nathamuni is historically linked to the compilation or preservation of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, which would suggest a Vaishnava affiliation.
States that the Tiruvaymoli (central Vaishnava hymns) and other Vaishnava hymns were subject to elaborate commentaries from the twelfth century onward.
One could examine if Nathamuni authored or initiated commentarial activity on Tiruvaymoli or related hymns, indicating role as a Vaishnava scholar.
Describes a line of Vaishnava scholars who systematized bhakti doctrine philosophically (e.g., Ramanujar), showing a tradition of named Vaishnava scholars.
A student might place Nathamuni within this broader pattern of named Vaishnava authorities to see if he appears among early Vaishnava teachers.
Explains incorporation of Tamil bhakta ideas into Sanskritic Vaishnava tradition (e.g., Bhagavata Purana), showing cross-linguistic Vaishnava literary activity.
One could test whether Nathamuni acted as a bridge between Tamil bhakti hymns and the wider Vaishnava tradition, which would support identifying him as a Vaishnava scholar.
Mentions patronage and existence of well-known scholars of Vaishnavism in South Indian courts, indicating an environment where Vaishnava scholars were prominent.
A student could search whether Nathamuni was active in similar regional scholarly networks or patronage contexts associated with Vaishnavism.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter (Hidden in Plain Sight). Source: TN Class 11 History, Chapter 7 (The Guptas), Section on Buddhist Literature.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Intellectual History of the Gupta & Post-Gupta Age. Specifically, the crystallization of sectarian logic (Nyaya vs. Buddhist Logic).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Gupta Intellectual Trinity' mentioned in texts: Asanga (Yogacara), Vasubandhu (Abhidharma), and Dignaga (Logic). For Jainism, map: Siddhasena Divakara (Logic), Haribhadra Suri (Samaraichchakaha), and Hemachandra (Parishishtaparvan).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When a textbook lists names in a string (e.g., 'Arya Deva, Asanga, and Vasubandhu were famous scholars...'), do not skip the names. The examiner creates 'Match the Pair' questions by swapping the religion of one name in that very list.
Jaina texts were composed initially in Prakrit and later in Sanskrit and Tamil, which affects how scholars and works are identified.
High-yield for literary-history questions: knowing the languages helps date texts, attribute authorship, and distinguish Jaina works from contemporaneous Buddhist and Brahmanical writings. Connects to topics on textual transmission, regional literary traditions, and sectarian literature.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Jaina Literature > p. 99
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 3.1 The spread of Jainism > p. 89
Non-violence (ahimsa) is central to Jain philosophy and shaped Jaina ethical and social teachings.
Essential for questions comparing religious doctrines and social impact: understanding ahimsa clarifies differences between Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, and explains Jain influence on Indian thought and practices. Useful in essays and source-based questions on ethical traditions.
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 3.Beyond Worldly Pleasures The Message of Mahavira > p. 88
Jaina scholars produced extensive literature and reworked major narratives (itihasa and puranas) into Jaina versions to propagate doctrines.
Important for assessing sectarian interactions and cultural influence: helps answer questions on religious contestation, literary patronage, and regional works (including Tamil Jaina texts). Enables evaluation of claims about authorship and sect-specific versions of classical texts.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Jaina Literature > p. 99
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Jainism in Tamilnadu > p. 41
Dignaga is presented as a disciple of Vasubandhu and an author of learned works in Buddhist literature.
High-yield for questions on Indian philosophical schools and intellectual history; helps link Buddhist epistemology to broader debates in classical Indian logic and philosophy. Mastering this aids answers on teacher-student lineages and contributions of individual scholars.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Buddhist Literature > p. 99
The VasubandhuโDignaga relationship exemplifies how Buddhist ideas were transmitted through personal lineages.
Important for tracing the transmission of doctrines and situating works chronologically; useful for questions on continuity of intellectual traditions and influence across generations.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Buddhist Literature > p. 99
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > 7.2 Samudragupta > p. 92
Samudragupta's patronage of Vasubandhu highlights state support for Buddhist learning.
Helps answer questions on cultural policy, religious pluralism, and the role of patronage in intellectual production; links polity, religion, and literature topics frequently tested in history papers.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > 7.2 Samudragupta > p. 92
Ramanuja formulated Vishishtadvaita, a key Vaishnava philosophical school that shaped bhakti discourse.
High-yield for UPSC: understanding Vishishtadvaita clarifies doctrinal differences within bhakti and its critique of Advaita, links to medieval South Indian religious history and temple culture, and helps answer questions on religious philosophies and sectarian developments.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti Movement in India > 13.2 Spread of Bhakti Movement to the North India > p. 192
Arya Asanga. He appears in the exact same sentence as Aryadeva in the TN textbook ('Arya Deva and Arya Asanga... are notable writers'). Expect a future question linking Asanga to the 'Yogacara' school of Buddhism or his brother Vasubandhu.
The 'Honorific' Trap: 'Arya' sounds Vedic/Brahmanical (Aryavarta), and 'Deva' sounds Hindu. A novice might eliminate 'Buddhist' for Aryadeva based on the name. However, in the Gupta period, Buddhist scholars adopted Sanskrit names and titles (Arya, Bhadanta). Trust the lineage (Nagarjuna -> Aryadeva), not the sound of the name.
Mains GS1 (Art & Culture) & GS2 (IR): These scholars (Dignaga, Aryadeva) were the 'Intellectual Exports' of India. Their works traveled to China and Tibet, forming the basis of India's ancient Soft Power. Use this when writing about the 'Nalanda/Kanchi tradition' in diplomacy answers.