Correct Option
The correct option is 2 and 3 only
Explanation
The Prayaga Prashasti, also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, is a panegyric (eulogy) composed by Harisena, the court poet and minister of the Gupta Emperor Samudragupta. It serves as the primary historical source for reconstructing the military conquests and personality of Samudragupta.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Prayaga Prashasti is not a biography of Chandragupta Maurya. It is a detailed account of the reign and achievements of Samudragupta (c. 335-375 CE), the son of Chandragupta I.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The inscription elevates the king to a divine status. It describes Samudragupta as a "Purusha" (Supreme Being), characterizing him as a god dwelling on earth who is incomprehensible and is the cause of the rise of the good and the destruction of the bad.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The text explicitly compares Samudragupta to four Vedic deities: Kubera (God of Wealth), Varuna (God of the Ocean), Indra (God of Rain), and Yama (God of Death/Justice). This comparison reinforces the divine theory of kingship prevalent during the Gupta period.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect. The inscription was composed in classical Sanskrit, not Pali. It is written in the Champu style, which is a combination of prose and poetry.
Key Takeaway
The Prayaga Prashasti is a Sanskrit eulogy by Harisena that establishes Samudragupta’s divine status by equating him with gods like Kubera, Indra, Varuna, and Yama, and describing him as a "Purusha" (Supreme Being) on earth.