Question

Match the fragments of the famous verse from the Paniniya Shiksha (Verse 52) in List I with their completions in List II:
List I (Fragments):
A. Mantro hinah...
B. Mithyaprayukto...
C. Sa vagvajro...
D. Yathendrashatruh...
List II (Completions):
I. Na tamarthamaha
II. Svarato varnato va
III. Svarato'paradhat
IV. Yajamanam hinasti

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

Hint:

Remember the "Vagvajro" (speech-thunderbolt) and "Yajamanam hinasti" (kills the sacrificer) connection. This verse is so foundational that memorizing the whole thing is worth it for anyone serious about Vedic exams.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question focuses on one of the most critical verses in the history of Sanskrit linguistics and ritualism, found in the Paniniya Shiksha. It warns against the misuse of Vedic mantras through incorrect pronunciation or accentuation. The verse cites the legendary mistake made during a sacrifice to illustrate how a single error in accent can turn a protective mantra into a destructive one. This verse is the ultimate justification for the existence of the Shiksha Vedanga.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's reconstruct the verse and match the fragments:

The Full Verse:
"mantro hīnaḥ svarato varṇato vā mithyāprayukto na tamarthamāha |"
"sa vāgvajro yajamānaṃ hinasti yathendraśatruḥ svarato'parādhāt ||"

Mapping based on the List:
- A. Mantro hinah... - II. Svarato varnato va: A mantra that is deficient in accent (Svara) or letter (Varna).
- B. Mithyaprayukto... - I. Na tamarthamaha: Being improperly used, it does not express that (intended) meaning.
- C. Sa vagvajro... - IV. Yajamanam hinasti: It becomes a "thunderbolt of speech" and strikes down the sacrificer (Yajamana).
- D. Yathendrashatruh... - III. Svarato'paradhat: Just as the term 'Indra-shatru' failed due to a fault in accent.

The Legend of Indra-shatru:
This refers to a sacrifice where the demon Tvashta wanted to produce a son who would be the "slayer of Indra." The mantra used was 'indraśatruḥ vardhasva'. If pronounced with the accent on the first syllable (Bahuvrihi compound), it means "one whose slayer is Indra." If accented on the last (Tatpurusha), it means "the slayer of Indra." Tvashta's priest accidentally used the Bahuvrihi accent, and thus the son born (Vritra) was killed by Indra, instead of killing him. This verse is used to emphasize that phonetic accuracy is not just a scholarly pursuit but a matter of life and death in the Vedic ritual world.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct matching is A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III. Therefore, option (2) is correct.