Question

Match List I with List II regarding Heroines and their Plays: 

Choose the correct answer from the options given below: 
 

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

Hint:

Vasantasena is a 'Ganika' (courtesan) heroine, unique to Prakaranas like Mricchakatika. Shakuntala and Sita are 'Sviya' (loyal wife) heroines in mythological plays.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Every Sanskrit play has a prominent 'Nayika' (heroine). Associating the heroine with the respective play is crucial for character analysis in Sahitya.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
1. Shakuntala: She is the heroine of Kalidasa's Abhijnanashakuntalam.
The daughter of Menaka and Vishvamitra, she is the central figure of the play.
Matching: A-IV.

2. Vasantasena: She is the heroine of Shudraka's Mricchakatikam.
She is a beautiful and wealthy courtesan of Ujjayini who falls in love with the noble but impoverished Charudatta.
Matching: B-II.

3. Panchali (Draupadi): She is the central heroine of Bhattanarayana's Venisamharam.
The title itself refers to the braiding (Samhara) of her hair (Veni).
Matching: C-I.

4. Sita: She is the heroine of Bhavabhuti's Uttararamacharitam.
The play describes her abandonment and her final reunion with Rama.
Matching: D-III.

Resulting sequence: A-IV, B-II, C-I, D-III.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Matching the heroines to their plays: A-IV, B-II, C-I, D-III. Hence, Option (A) is correct.