Choose the Kanishka's court poet who composed a biography of the Buddha, the 'Buddhacharita'.

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 2, Ashvaghosha, is the correct answer because he was a renowned poet and philosopher in ancient India, known for his significant contributions to Buddhist literature. Ashvaghosha is most famous for composing the "Buddhacharita," an epic poem that details the life and teachings of the Buddha. This work is considered one of the earliest and most important biographies of the Buddha, highlighting Ashvaghosha's role as a pivotal figure in Buddhist literary tradition. His association with Kanishka's court further emphasizes his prominence during that era.

Now, let's examine why the other options are incorrect:

1. **Saundranand**: While Saundranand is another work attributed to Ashvaghosha, it is not the biography of the Buddha. Instead, it focuses on the conversion of Nanda, the Buddha's half-brother. Therefore, Saundranand is not the correct answer to the question about the composer of "Buddhacharita."

3. **Shudrak**: Shudrak is known for his work "Mrichchhakatika" (The Little Clay Cart), a classical Sanskrit play. There is no historical evidence linking Shudrak to the composition of "Buddhacharita" or any association with Kanishka's court. Thus, Shudrak is not the correct answer.

4. **Harshvardhan**: Harshvardhan was a ruler and a patron of arts and literature, known for his own literary works like "Ratnavali" and "Nagananda." However, he lived much later than Kanishka and was not associated with the composition of "Buddhacharita." Therefore, Harshvardhan is not the correct answer.

In conclusion, Ashvaghosha is the only option that accurately fits the description of Kanishka's court poet who composed the "Buddhacharita," making Option 2 the correct choice.