Question

Match List I (Mahabharata Verses) with List II (Major Themes) and choose the correct option:
List I (Verse)
A. "Shrutva tvidamupakhyanam shravyaman-yanna rochate..."
B. "Hato va prapsyasi svargam jitva va bhokshyase mahim..."
C. "Dharmo nityah sukhaduhkhe tvanitye..."
D. "Guhyam brahma tadidam bravimi na hi manushat shreshthataram..."
List II (Theme)
I. The Importance and Inevitability of Dharma
II. The Supremacy and Excellence of Man (Humanity)
III. Praise for the Mahabharata epic itself
IV. Shri Krishna's motivational words to Arjuna

• A. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
• B. A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I
• C. A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
• D. A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II

Hint:

"Hato va..." is a direct Gita quote (Krishna-Arjuna). "Na hi manushat..." is the most famous line about the "excellence of man" in all of Sanskrit literature. Match these two first to solve the problem quickly.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Mahabharata is more than just a historical epic (Itihasa); it is a comprehensive repository of moral, political, and spiritual wisdom. It contains specific "Anchor Verses" that define the text's own importance, provide the core teaching of the Bhagavad Gita, and summarize the entire work's philosophical message regarding Dharma and human dignity.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation of the Verses:
1. A-III: Found in the Adi Parva, this verse ("Shrutva tvidam...") is a high praise of the epic itself. It states that after hearing this great narrative of the Mahabharata, all other stories will no longer seem as pleasing or significant, because this work contains the essence of all knowledge.
2. B-IV: This is perhaps one of the most famous verses from the Bhagavad Gita (2.37). It contains Lord Krishna's direct motivation to Arjuna: "If you are killed in battle, you will reach heaven; if you win, you will enjoy the earth. Therefore, O son of Kunti, stand up and fight with determination!"
3. C-I: This verse ("Dharmo nityah...") is part of the Bharata-Savitri at the very end of the epic. It emphasizes the Inevitability of Dharma: "Dharma is eternal, while pleasure and pain are transient. Never abandon Dharma for the sake of desire, fear, or greed." It is the moral conclusion of the hundred-thousand verses.
4. D-II: This is the celebrated humanist declaration from the Shanti Parva. Bhishma tells Yudhishthira: "I tell you this secret Brahman: There is nothing higher/superior than a human being." This established ancient Indian thought as a human-centric philosophy where the potential for divine realization lies within the person.

Step 3: Synthesis:
The matching results in: A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct matching sequence is (4).