Question

'Apaurusheya' texts are -
A. Vedas
B. Natya
C. Kavya
D. Vedangas
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A and D only
• B. A, B and D only
• C. A, B, C and D
• D. B, C and D only

Hint:

Apaurusheya means not authored by a human. Drop any option with Natya or Kavya.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Meaning of the word:
Apaurusheya means not made by a human being (a purusha).
In the Indian tradition this label is given to the Vedas, which are said to be heard (shruti) by sages and not authored by any person.

Step 2: Check A (Vedas):
The Vedas are the classic apaurusheya texts. A belongs in the answer.

Step 3: Check B (Natya):
Natya means drama. The Natyashastra is credited to Bharata, a human author. So B is not apaurusheya, although it is called the fifth Veda in a poetic sense.

Step 4: Check C (Kavya):
Kavya is poetry composed by named poets such as Kalidasa. It is clearly a human work. C is not apaurusheya.

Step 5: Check D (Vedangas):
The Vedangas are the six auxiliary limbs of the Veda, for example Shiksha, Kalpa and Vyakarana. They are treated as closely tied to the Vedic corpus and are traditionally counted with it in this question. D is taken as included.

Step 6: Pick the option:
B and C are out, so Options 2, 3 and 4 fail because each contains B or C. Only Option 1, A and D only, is left.
Note: strictly the Vedas alone are apaurusheya, but among the given choices Option 1 is the closest.

Final Answer:
The best choice among the given options is Option 1. \[ \boxed{A\text{ and }D\text{ only (Option 1)}} \]