Which of the following is not composed by Dandi in the following ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:

The **Dvayashraya Kavya** is not composed by the classical Sanskrit author Dandi (also known as Daṇḍin). This historical Sanskrit poem was written by the famous Jain scholar Acharya Hemachandra Suri (1088–1172 CE). The term 'Dvayashraya' means 'shelter of two' and refers to the fact that the poem is composed in a way that simultaneously illustrates the rules of Sanskrit and Prakrit grammar (Shabdānushāsana) while narrating the history of the Chaulukya dynasty of Gujarat. Dandi, who flourished centuries earlier (c. 6th–7th centuries CE), is celebrated primarily for works in poetics and prose romance, not dynastic history and grammar.

The incorrect option is 1:
**Kavyadarsha** (Mirror of Poetry) is a foundational text of Sanskrit poetics, dealing with the nature and purpose of poetry, literary devices (alankaras), and style. This work is unequivocally attributed to Dandi and is considered one of his most influential compositions, shaping subsequent literary criticism in India.

The incorrect option is 2:
**Dash Kumar Charit** (The Tale of the Ten Princes) is Dandi’s most famous work of prose romance (katha) and is a key text in classical Sanskrit literature. It recounts the adventures, romances, and experiences of ten princes, serving as a masterpiece of prose style and social observation from his period.

The incorrect option is 3:
**Avanti Sundari** (The Beautiful Woman of Avanti), or *Avantisundarīkathā*, is another prose work traditionally attributed to Dandi. Although only fragments of this work survive today, it is believed to be a romantic narrative that shares thematic and stylistic links with the *Dash Kumar Charit*, further solidifying its association with Dandi.