In Sanskrit one and the same word is used for a variety of subjects. According to Al-Biruni, how were these different meanings to be properly understood?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → By various qualifying epithets that distinguish them
Option (1) By the commentaries of Brahmana teachers — Incorrect. Al-Biruni relied on Brahmanical works for his picture of society. For a word with many meanings, his answer was qualifying epithets.
Option (2) By comparing the word with its Persian form — Incorrect. Al-Biruni felt Sanskrit was so different from Persian that ideas could not easily pass between them. Persian forms were no guide.
Option (3) By various qualifying epithets that distinguish them — Correct. Al-Biruni wrote that such a word must be distinguished by various qualifying epithets. An epithet is a describing word added to make the meaning clear.
Option (4) By the order of words in the sentence — Incorrect. Word order is a feature of grammar he did not mention. He spoke of words and inflections, and of epithets.
NCERT (2026-27): “4.2 Al-Biruni’s description of the caste system … |