Question:medium

Who wrote 'Nitivākyāmṛtam'?

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Create a study list of important ancient and medieval Indian texts and their authors, especially in the genres of polity (Nītiśāstra), grammar (Vyākaraṇa), and philosophy (Darśana). This will help you quickly answer direct authorship questions.
Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • Bhartṛhari
  • Kāmandaka
  • Somadeva Suri
  • King Bhoja
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Concept Identification:
The question requires identification of the author of the Sanskrit treatise 'Nītivākyāmṛtam'.

Step 2: Detailed Analysis:
Nītivākyāmṛtam (meaning "The Nectar of Aphorisms on Polity") is a 10th-century CE treatise on political science and ethics, reflecting a Jain viewpoint on statecraft and referencing earlier works like Kautilya's Arthaśāstra.
The author is identified as Somadeva Sūri, a notable Digambara Jain monk, poet, and scholar.
Evaluation of alternative authors:
1. Bhartṛhari: A 5th-century grammarian and poet, known for \textit{Vākyapadīya} (grammar/linguistic philosophy) and \textit{Śatakatraya} (three sets of hundred verses).
2. Kāmandaka: Authored the \textit{Nītisāra}, another significant text on polity, considered a summary of Kautilya's Arthaśāstra.
4. King Bhoja: An 11th-century Paramara king of Dhara, a polymath with numerous works across various subjects, but not the author of Nītivākyāmṛtam.

Step 3: Conclusion:
Somadeva Suri is the author of 'Nitivākyāmṛtam'. Consequently, option (3) is correct.

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