Deciding Factors of Meaning in

Sadbabodha an appraisal
Dr. JSRA Prasad
Department of Sanskrit Studies, UoH

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

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--,
All the three worlds would have been in complete dark, had sabda not been there as the illuminating light.

--,
There is no conception in the world which is not followed by the word. All knowledge appears as if threaded by words.

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

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Source of classification of words started from

Rgveda, 1.164.45
Nagesa has attributed this classification with --

Yaska, the first etymologist, says -

(noun)
(verb)
(preposition)
(particle)

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

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,
, , , ,
(.. 2)
1. ( - universal)
2. ( - quality)
3. ( - action)
4. (a name, known on convention)
Dandi attests him so

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

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---

1. (conventional) , ,
2. (derivative)
3. (derivative-conventional)
4. (derivative/conventional)
Viswanatha clarifies thus

However, Kumarila says

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

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pravrttinimitta is the concept by which you acquire the

nucleus meaning of a word. Patanjali has classified

this in to four categories. Prvrttinimitta comes handy
when dealing with meanings of polysemous words.

( ); =

= the reason for application of a word to an object
since pravrttis are different, accordingly pravrtti
nimittas are also different
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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Bhartrhari on meaning:

(.. 2.330)
.. 2.31

Acquiring meaning of words can be of two kinds
by self experience and through a trust worthy
person
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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is a linguistic understanding
knowledge of words, knowledge of meaning of
words, denotative function etc., contribute to the
above
Semantically, a meaningful sentence also should
satisfy these factors , and
The word itself is an example of
category
What is Semantics?


--
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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. 3.3.29
Naiyayikas differ since, words such as devadatta
etc., do not have such yogyata. Hence, it is sanketa
that performs the function of sakti
is a part of
= potency
= relation between a word and its meaning

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

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There are eight kinds of acquiring sakti (denotative
function) jnana mentioned in sastras. Jagadisha had
proposed and Vishwanatha had popularized the
theory. This set of eight consists also two pramanas,
viz. analogy and verbal testimony.


In spite of these sakti acquiring tools, there is always
the possibility of ambiguities in sentences.
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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Natural languages are abundant of ambiguities

Metaphor, purport, polysemous words etc.,
contribute to ambiguity in acquring meaning.
Metaphor is widely accepted and numerous
polysemous words can be seen in Sanskrit
Consider the polysemous word Hari that has more
than fourteen meanings

AK 3.3.174
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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Tools?

- How to resolve ambiguity?

Bhartrharis answer

VP 2.314

Word and its meaning should be interpreted based on

the linguistic context but not merely on the word forms.
Tools such as syntactic connection, context of situation,
meaning, propriety, location and time are required to be
applied in such crisis.
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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Deciding Factors of Meaning

(14)


.. 2.315

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

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1.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

9.

(association)
(dissociation)
(companionship)
(opposition)
(purpose)
(context)
(indication)
(proximity of another word)

(capacity)
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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10.

11.
12.
13.
14.

(propriety)
(place)
(time) -
(gender) /
(accent)

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

Getting Equipped with New Challenges, UoH

Few examples:
1. '
S.N. 2.9
A lion is powerful. When a jackal desiring
resemblance in strength with a lion which is
adequate to break the temple of an elephant, will not
equal with the lion, though lion and jackal reside in
the same forest, both have paws and both eat the
flesh of a killed elephant.

Deciding factors:

, ,
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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R.V. 3.43
King Raghu plans for a horse sacrifice for the
welfare of the people. , thinking that He may
equal him in power after the sacrifice, steals away
the sacrificial horse. But King Raghu identifies him
based on some signs hundred eyes, without
winking and accompanied by brown/tawny horses
Deciding factors:
2.

, , ,
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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V.P.V. 19.26.4
When daemon folded the entire globe like a
mat and thrown it in to the sea, god Vishnu incarnated
in the form of Hari (pig) and lifted the globe out of
ocean and killed the daemon to sustain the order of
creation. King Surya Prabha who ruled the city
vakrolakam, was also happily rules his city such a way
that Varaha protected the globe with ease.
Deciding factors:
3.

, , , ,
National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009
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Summary

Grammar is the central point of any language.

Knowledge of the sentences spoken by a speaker or
the sentences penned by an author should lead the
hearer/reader
to
a
proper
sabdabodha.
Saktigrahopayas and the fourteen contextual factors
function as connecting tools between word and its
contextualized meaning.

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

Getting Equipped with New Challenges, UoH

THANK YOU
jsraprasad@gmail.com

National Workshop on Sanskrit and Computers: 12/23/2009

Getting Equipped with New Challenges, UoH