The Shastri said that the miserable plight of Ranga was on account of a girl, whose name was something found in the ocean such as Kamala, Pachchi or Ratna, forcing Ranga to admit to the truth. Ranga believed that the Shastri had calculated accurately, trusting the shastra to hold deeper truths.

Answer:

The statement "There's greater truth in that shastra than we imagine" was made by Ranga in the story "Ranga's Marriage" written by Masti Venkatesh Iyengar.

Explanation:

- Ranga's Marriage is a short story that revolves around the life of Ranga, a young man from Hosahalli, a village in South India. Ranga has been educated in the city and returns to his village with new ideas and aspirations.
- The story highlights the clash between traditional beliefs and modern ideas, as Ranga's family intends to arrange his marriage with a girl from the village, while Ranga dreams of marrying a modern, educated girl from the city.
- In the context of the statement, Ranga expresses his frustration with the traditional matchmaking process and the emphasis on following the shastras (sacred texts) blindly in arranging marriages.
- Ranga believes that there is a greater truth beyond the traditional customs and rituals, and that people should not be bound by them without questioning their relevance.
- He argues that the shastras may have contained valuable wisdom in the past, but society has evolved, and blindly adhering to outdated customs can be detrimental.
- Ranga's statement reflects his desire for a more progressive and modern approach to marriage, where compatibility, love, and understanding play a more significant role than the adherence to ancient rituals.
- However, Ranga's view is not widely accepted by the villagers, who prioritize tradition and conformity over individual desires and aspirations.
- The story explores the conflict between tradition and modernity, and Ranga's statement serves as a reflection of his belief in questioning the norms and seeking a greater truth beyond the conventional practices.

In conclusion, Ranga's statement "There's greater truth in that shastra than we imagine" reflects his frustration with the traditional matchmaking process and his desire for a more progressive approach to marriage.

D is the correct answer in this question