Indian Literature and Texts

The correct answer is The Hiraka Sutra (Diamond Sutra), dated AD 868, which is the oldest dated printed book in existence. It was found in the Dunhuang caves. The Bible was printed later (Gutenberg Bible, 1450s), while Ramayana and Mahabharata are oral traditions with later printings.

The Natyashastra is an ancient Sanskrit text that forms the foundation of Indian classical dance and drama. Written between 200 BCE and 200 CE, it comprehensively covers dance techniques, stage design, and performance theory, making it the oldest known treatise on performing arts.

Zend Avesta is the primary collection of religious texts of Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of the Parsis (Zoroastrians who fled to India to escape persecution). It contains hymns, prayers, and rituals in the Avestan language. The Bible, Quran, and Geeta belong to Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism respectively.

The Bible has the distinction of being printed in shorthand scripts, with Isaac Pitman's shorthand version published in the 19th century to promote his shorthand system. While the Ramayana and Mahabharata are ancient Hindu scriptures, and Guru Granth Sahib is the Sikh holy book, none have documented shorthand printings as historically significant as The Bible's shorthand editions.

Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta) authored the Arthashastra, the ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy. The Neetishastra (also called Chanakya Niti) is also attributed to him, containing aphorisms on practical wisdom. Dharmashastra and Vastushastra are not traditionally attributed to Chanakya.

Tirukkural, authored by Tiruvalluvar, is often called the 'Fifth Veda' or 'Veda of the South' because of its universal wisdom and ethical teachings. It's a classic Tamil text on ethics and morality. Tolkappiyam is a grammar work, while Silappadikaram and Manimekalai are epic poems - all important Tamil classics but not referred to as the Fifth Veda.

Hicky's Bengal Gazette, published by James Augustus Hicky in 1780, was India's first newspaper and journal. It was a weekly English publication that began in Calcutta and marked the beginning of journalism in India. Gujarat Samachar (1822) came much later, while National Herald (founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938) is a 20th century publication.

The Vedas are the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, composed between 1500-500 BCE. They predate all other Hindu scriptures including the Upanishads, Epics, and Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is actually part of the Mahabharata, which came much later.

The Ramayana and Mahabharata are the two great epics of ancient India, known as Itihasa. They are pan-Indian in influence and have shaped Hindu culture, philosophy, and values for millennia. The Puranas are a different category of texts, and the Vedas are ritual hymns rather than epics.

The books of the Bible in order are: 1. Genesis, 2. Exodus, 3. Leviticus, 4. Numbers, 5. Deuteronomy, 6. Joshua, 7. Judges. Therefore, Judges is the 7th book. Genesis is the 1st book, Psalms is much later in the Old Testament, and Matthew is the first book of the New Testament.

The Zend Avesta is the primary collection of religious texts of Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of the Parsis (Zoroastrians who migrated to India). It contains hymns, prayers, and rituals attributed to the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra).

Zend Avesta is the sacred text of Zoroastrianism, the religion of the Parsis. It contains the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra). Torah is Jewish, Bible is Christian, and Gita is Hindu scripture. The Parsis are followers of Zoroastrianism who migrated to India from Persia.

The Diamond Sutra (often spelled as Hirake Sutra in some sources) dated 868 AD is the oldest dated printed book in the world, discovered in the Dunhuang caves in China. The Bible, while older in content, was not printed until much later (Gutenberg Bible, 1450s). The Ramayana and Mahabharata are ancient Indian epics that were transmitted orally and in manuscript form long before printing.

Natasya pratima asti is from the Yajurveda specifically Yajurveda 32.3. This verse speaks against idol worship stating that the divine has no physical likeness or image.