Syllabus: CS(Mains) Literature:Pali (Coaching Available)

Pali subject has two papers, one covering the language (i.e. Grammar, writing skills etc.) and the other covering literature. Beauty of the subject is that it has got very limited syllabus, so you can prepare well within the defined limits; you can concentrate more on effectiveness of your answers rather than striving for somehow finishing the syllabus, as may be the case with many other literature subjects. 



PAPER-I (Pãli Language) 

(N.B. All answers must be written in Pali language in Devanãgarî or Roman Script) 

Section-A 

1. Origin and Homeland of Pãli and its characteristics. 

2. Pãli Grammar-

(I) Technical Terms of Pãli Grammar-Akkhara, Sara, Vyañjana, Niggahîta, Nãma, Sabbanãma, Ãkhyãta, Upasagga, Nipãta, Abyaya, 

(II) Kãraka, 

(III) Samãsa; 

(IV) Sandhi; 

(V) Taddhita. (Apaccabodhaka-and Ãdhikãrabodhaka- Paccaya); 

(VI) Etymological derivation of the following words :- Buddho, Bhikkhu, Sãmanero, Satthã, Dhammo, Latãyã, Purisãnam, Tumhe, Amhebhi, Munina, Rattîsu, Phalãya, Atthîsu, Raññam, Sangho. 

3. Translation of two Pãli unseen passages into English. 

Section-B 

4. Essays consisting of 300 words on any one of the following : 

(a) Bhagavã Buddho, 

(b) Tilakkhanam, 

(c) Ariyo atthañgiko maggo, 

(d) Cattãri ariyasaccãni, 

(e) Kammavãdo 

(f) Paticcasamuppãdo, 

(g) Nibbãnam paramam sukham, 

(h) Tipitakam, 

(i) Dhammapadam, 

(j) Majjhimã-Patipadã. 

5. Summary of Pãli passages. 

6. Explanation of Pãli verses in Pãli. 

7. The meaning of following indeclinables (Abyaya and Nipãta) and their use in candidates’ own Pãli sentences : 

(I) Atha, 

(II) Antarã, 

(III) Addhã, 

(IV) Kadã, 

(V) Kittãvatã, 

(VI) Ahorattam, 

(VII) Divã, 

(VIII) Yathã, 

(IX) Ce, 

(X) Seyyathîdam, 

(XI) Vinã, 

(XII) Kudãcannam, 

(XIII) Saddhim, 

(XIV) Antarena, 

(XV) Kho, 

(XVI) Mã, 

(XVII) Evam, 

(XVIII) Ettha, 

(XIX) Kira, 

(XX) Pana. 

PAPER-II (Pãli Literature)
There will be two compulsory questions which must be answered in Pali Languege in Devanagari or Roman Script. The remaining questions must be attempted either in Pali or in the medium of examination opted by the candidate. 

Section-A 

(i) Life and teachings of Buddha from the Pãli sources. 

(ii) History of Pali Literature-Canonical and Non-Canonical with reference to the following books and authors: Mahãvagga, Cullavagga, Pãtimokkha, Dîgha-Nikãya, Dhammapada, Jãtaka, Theragãthã, Therîgãthã,Dîpavamsa, Mahãvamsa, Dãthãvamsa, Sãsanavamsa, Milindapanha, Petakopadesa, Nettippakarana, Buddhadatta, Buddhaghosa and Dhammapãla. 

Section-B 

1. Textual questions, critical comments and annotated translations would be asked from the following prescribed texts :- 

(i) Dîghã-Nikãya (Only the Sãmaññaphala- Sutta) 

(ii) Sutta-nipãta (Only the Khaggavisana- Sutta and Dhaniya-Sutta) 

(iii) Dhammapada (Only the first five Vaggã-s) 

(iv) Milindapanha (Only the Lakkhanapanha) 

(v) Mahavamsa (Only the Tatiya-Sangiti) 

(vi) Abhidhammattha-sangaha (First, Second and Sixth Chapters) 

(vii) Pãli Prosody : Vuttodaya-Anutthubha, Indavajirã, Upendavajirã, Vasantatilakã, Mãlinî, Sikharinî, Upajati, totaka, Dodhaka, Vamsattha. 

(viii) Pãli Rhetoric : Subodhãlankãrã - Yamaka, Anuppãsa, Rûpaka, Upama, Atisayutti, Vyatireka, Nidassanã, Atthantaranyãsa, Dîpaka, Ditthanta. 

2. Short Notes on Buddhist concepts dealt within the prescribed texts. 

3. Explanation of Pãli Verses from the prescribed texts.