Question

How many Kārikās are there in “Śūnyatāsaptati” ?

• A. 73
• B. 70
• C. 17
• D. 77

Hint:

In Sanskrit literature, titles like *Saptati* (70) or *Shataka* (100) are often "approximate" or "rounded" category names. Always check if the actual count includes the *Mangalacharana* (opening) or concluding verses.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: *Śūnyatāsaptati* (Seventy Verses on Emptiness) is a fundamental text of the Mādhyamika school, authored by the great philosopher Nagarjuna. It serves as an extension or a detailed clarification of his magnum opus, the *Mūlamadhyamakakārikā*. The title suggests a specific number of verses, which is common in Indian literary traditions (like the *Sankhya Karika* having around 70 verses).

Step 1: Interpreting the title and actual verse count. The word "Saptati" in Sanskrit literally means 70. Therefore, the name "Śūnyatāsaptati" suggests a work of seventy verses on the nature of Emptiness. However, as is common in many ancient Sanskrit texts, the actual number of verses in the extant versions often varies slightly due to introductory or concluding verses, or the inclusion of a summary verse.

Step 2: Verifying the standard academic count. In the most widely accepted scholarly editions and the Tibetan translations (as the original Sanskrit was lost for a long time), the text contains 73 Kārikās (verses). The core arguments are spread across the 70 verses, but with the inclusion of the concluding verses that summarize the merit of the work or provide a final dedication, the count reaches 73. This is a common "trick" question in philosophy exams where the literal meaning of the title (70) differs slightly from the actual textual content (73).