Chandravyakaranam - Book Summary

This document is a comprehensive summary and catalog entry for Chandravyakaranam, a Sanskrit grammar treatise attributed to Acharya Chandragomi. It is published by the Rajasthan Prachyavidya Pratishthan, Jodhpur, as part of the Rajasthan Puratan Granthamala series (Granthanka 36). The text was edited by Pandit Bechardas Jeevaraj Doshi and first published in 1967 CE.

Here's a breakdown of the key information presented:

1. Title and Author:

Title: Chandravyakaranam (आचार्यचन्द्रगोमिप्रणीतं चान्द्रव्याकरणम्)
Author: Acharya Chandragomi (आचार्यचन्द्रगोमि)
Editor: Pandit Bechardas Jeevaraj Doshi (सम्पादक पं. श्रीबेचरदास जीवराज दोशी)

2. Publisher and Series:

Publisher: Rajasthan Rajya Sansthapit Rajasthan Prachyavidya Pratishthan, Jodhpur (राजस्थान राज्यसंस्थापित राजस्थान प्राच्यविद्या प्रतिष्ठान जोधपुर)
Series: Rajasthan Puratan Granthamala (राजस्थान पुरातन ग्रन्थमाला)
Granthanka: 36

3. Publication Details:

First Edition: 1967 CE
Original Hindi Title: आचार्यचन्द्रगोमिप्रणीतं चान्द्रव्याकरणम् (शोधपूर्णभूमिकासहितम्) - meaning "Chandravyakaranam by Acharya Chandragomi (with a research-filled introduction)"
Edition: First Edition (प्रथमावृत्ति)
Print Run: 750 copies
Indian National Calendar Year: 1886 Shaka (भारतराष्ट्रियशकाब्द 1886)
Vikram Samvat Year: 2024 (विक्रमाब्द 2024)
Price: Rs. 40.00 (मूल्य 40.00)
Printers: Navjeevan Karyalaya, Ahmedabad and Sadhana Press, Jodhpur (मुद्रक - नवनीवन कार्यालय, अहमदाबाद तथा साधना प्रेस, जोधपुर)

4. Contents and Structure (Table of Contents - विषयानुक्रमः): The book includes:

Editorial Statement (संचालकीय वक्तव्य): An introductory note by Fateh Singh, Director of Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute, Jodhpur.
Introduction (प्रस्तावना): A detailed introduction by Pandit Bechardas Doshi.
Main Text (मूलग्रन्थ): The Chandravyakaranam itself.
List of Ganas (गणसूत्रसूची): An alphabetical list of grammatical categories (Ganas).
Varnasutram (वर्णसूत्रम्): Rules pertaining to phonetics and sounds.
Ugadi Prakaranam (उगादिप्रकरणम्): Rules related to Uṇādi suffixes.
Dhatupatha (धातुपाठः): A list of Sanskrit roots.
Alphabetical Compilation of Chandrasutras (चान्द्रसूत्राणामकाराविक्रमेण सङ्कलनम्): An alphabetized collection of the grammar's sutras.
Alphabetical Compilation of Uṇādi-derived words (उणादिसाधितशब्दानाम् अकाराविक्रमेण सङ्कलनम्): An alphabetized list of words formed using Uṇādi rules.
Alphabetical Compilation of roots from the Chandradhatupatha (चान्द्रव्याकरणस्थितषातुपाठागतषातूनामकाराविक्रमेण सङ्कलनम्): An alphabetized list of roots found in the Chandravyakaranam's Dhatupatha.
Errata/Correction List (शुद्धिसूची): A list of corrections for printing errors.

5. Editorial and Introduction Highlights:

Chandragomi's Grammar as a Revision of Panini: The editorial statement quotes Professor Kshitish Chandra Chatterji, stating that Chandravyakaranam is essentially a revised edition of Panini's Ashtadhyayi, incorporating suggestions and improvements from Katyayana and Patanjali.
Scarcity and Rediscovery: The grammar was mentioned in ancient texts but was otherwise lost. A Tibetan version was known through Taranath. Professor Liebish is credited with the first publication in Roman script, which also went out of print.
Purpose of the Devanagari Edition: The Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute, under the leadership of Acharya Jinavijayji, aimed to republish the grammar in Devanagari script, edited by Pandit Bechardasji.
Unique Features of This Edition: Despite a Devanagari edition being published earlier by Deccan College, Pune (edited by Prof. Kshitish Chandra Chatterji), this edition is praised for its conciseness (around 125 pages) while including all Chandravyakaranam sutras, Uṇādi sutras, and Dhatupatha. It also provides references to Panini's sutras for comparative study. The appendices with alphabetical lists of sutras, words, and roots are highlighted as making the work more useful for researchers.
Chandragomi's Description of his Grammar: Chandragomi himself described his work as "Shabdalakshana" (शब्दलक्षण) with three key qualities: Laghu (लघु - concise), Vispashta (विस्पष्ट - clear), and Sampurna (सम्पूर्ण - complete). This is contrasted with Katantra (which is concise and clear but not complete) and Panini's grammar (which is complete but not concise).
Historical Context and the Aindra Tradition: The introduction delves into the history of Sanskrit grammar, discussing the lost Aindra school of grammar, attributed to Indra and later Katyayana. It recounts legends about Panini's destruction of the Aindra grammar, citing sources like Kathasaritsagara and Xuanzang. The text analyzes the 24 sutras of "Purvapāṇinīya" or Katyāyana-sūtra, suggesting a philosophical and spiritual interpretation of language and its connection to the divine. It explores the concept of Shabda-Brahman and its various manifestations.
Chandragomi's Affinity with Buddhism: While scholars often consider Chandragomi a Buddhist, the introduction points out that the initial salutation "Namo Vagishvaraya Siddhaṁ praṇamya sarvajñaṁ sarvīyaṁ gurum" (नमो वागीश्वराय सिद्धं प्रणम्य सर्वज्ञं सर्वरीय गुरुम्) uses Vedic terminology. The absence of Vedic accents in Chandravyakaranam is discussed, with Pandit Yudhishthir Mimansak's argument that Chandravyakaranam originally included Vedic grammar, indicated by references to "svaraṁ vakṣyāmaḥ" (स्वरं वक्ष्यामः). The concluding benediction "Shubhamastu Sarvajagatām" (शुभमस्तु सर्वजगताम्) is also noted, though not considered exclusive evidence of Buddhist affiliation.
The "Paniniya" vs. "Purvapāṇinīya" Distinction: The text suggests that "Purvapāṇinīya" might refer to the spiritual and philosophical aspects of grammar (up to the level of alphabets), while "Pāṇinīya" grammar deals with the analysis of words and sentences in the external, conventional world. It also explores the etymology of "Pāṇini" possibly relating to "pāṇi" (market) or "hastakarya" (handiwork), implying a human-created, artificial aspect versus the natural, innate "svabhāvaneya" aspect of language.
Detailed breakdown of the text's structure: The editor provides a page-by-page account of the book's contents, detailing the sections on Ganas, Varnapāṭha, Uṇādi, and Dhātupāṭha, and the comparative references to Panini's sutras.

6. Chandravyakaranam itself (Sample Sutras): The document includes extensive excerpts from the actual sutras of Chandravyakaranam, particularly the first chapter, first pada, and parts of subsequent chapters and pādas. These excerpts demonstrate the grammatical rules for derivation, verb conjugation (tenses, moods), case endings (vibhakti), and formation of compound words, often with cross-references to Panini's sutras (marked as 'पा०'). The Uṇādi section provides derivations of numerous nouns and adjectives. The Dhatupatha section lists Sanskrit roots with their meanings and root-groups.

7. Key Themes and Contributions:

Conciseness and Clarity: A central theme is Chandragomi's effort to create a grammar that is more concise and clear than Panini's, yet complete.
Philosophical Interpretation of Language: The introduction explores the spiritual and philosophical underpinnings of language in Vedic tradition, linking it to divine concepts like Brahman, Indra, and Parashakti.
Historical Context of Sanskrit Grammar: The work situates Chandravyakaranam within the broader history of Sanskrit grammar, discussing its relationship to earlier traditions and its potential Buddhist influences.
Comprehensive Resource: The edition aims to be a valuable resource for scholars by providing the original text, critical commentary, comparative references, and extensive alphabetical indexes.

In essence, this is a scholarly publication of a significant Sanskrit grammatical work, offering insights into its textual history, linguistic principles, and philosophical context, all presented in a meticulously edited Devanagari format.