Who wrote Panchatantra?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Vishnu Sharma is the celebrated author of the Panchatantra, a classic of Indian literature.
The Panchatantra is an ancient collection of animal fables written in Sanskrit, estimated to have been composed around the 3rd century BCE.
Its purpose was to impart wisdom and principles of 'niti' (wise conduct of life) to the sons of a king through engaging stories.
The work is one of the most widely translated non-religious books in history, influencing literature across the globe.

Option A: Sudrak (or Shudraka) was a playwright, not the author of the Panchatantra.
Option C: Vishnu Gupta, more famously known as Chanakya or Kautilya, was a political strategist and economist.
Option D: Bharata Muni was an ancient Indian theatrologist and musicologist.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Authorship of Ancient Indian Literature as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general knowledge question. While not directly related to clinical practice, general awareness is part of the syllabus for many nursing entrance examinations.
A broad knowledge base enhances a nurse's ability to communicate and build rapport with a diverse patient population.
What if the question was about a medical text? If the question asked for the author of the Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery, the answer would be Sushruta. This highlights the importance of distinguishing between different domains of ancient Indian knowledge.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from the domain of general knowledge.
First, identify the key subject of the question, which is the book 'Panchatantra'.
Next, recall or deduce the author of this specific work from the given options.
Evaluate each option. Vishnu Sharma is historically credited with writing the Panchatantra.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their famous works (e.g., Vishnu Gupta/Chanakya wrote Arthashastra).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

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