Question

Choose the sequence of Navāṅga : A. Sūtra B. Gāthā C. Vyākaraṇa D. Udāna E. Geya Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. A, D, E, C, B
• B. A, E, C, B, D
• C. D, E, A, B, C
• D. C, D, A, B, E

Hint:

The first five Navāṅgas follow a progression from prose to poetry: Sūtra $\rightarrow$ Geya $\rightarrow$ Vyākaraṇa $\rightarrow$ Gāthā $\rightarrow$ Udāna

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: The Navāṅga Buddha-vacana refers to the nine-fold classification of the Buddha’s teachings. This system categorizes teachings according to literary style and method of presentation.

Step 1: Listing the traditional order of Navāṅga.
• Sūtra
• Geya
• Vyākaraṇa
• Gāthā
• Udāna
• Itivṛttaka
• Jātaka
• Adbhutadharma
• Vaipulya/Vedalla

Step 2: Matching the letters with positions.
• A = Sūtra
• E = Geya
• C = Vyākaraṇa
• B = Gāthā
• D = Udāna

Step 3: Arranging the sequence. Thus the order becomes: \[ A \rightarrow E \rightarrow C \rightarrow B \rightarrow D \] Hence the correct sequence is: \[ \boxed{A,\ E,\ C,\ B,\ D} \]

Step 4: Understanding the literary progression.
• Sūtra contains direct prose discourses.
• Geya combines prose and verse.
• Vyākaraṇa provides analytical explanation.
• Gāthā contains pure verses.
• Udāna contains inspired utterances. This classification reflects the diversity of Buddhist literary expression.