Epigraphic Notes

Here's a summary of the provided text, "Epigraphic Notes" by A. Wezler, focusing on its key arguments and discussions related to Jainism:

The article "Epigraphic Notes" by A. Wezler delves into the complexities of understanding Indian inscriptions, particularly focusing on the semantic challenges presented by the language used. Wezler argues that while inscriptions often use Sanskrit, it's crucial to recognize "inscriptional Sanskrit" as a distinct sociolect due to its unique vocabulary, expressions, and grammatical peculiarities. He emphasizes that understanding these inscriptions requires a broader approach than simply analyzing them in isolation from the mainstream Sanskrit language.

Key Points and Arguments:

• Semantic Challenges in Inscriptions: Wezler highlights that accurately interpreting inscriptions depends heavily on clarifying individual words, terms, and idiomatic expressions. He notes that many scholars may underestimate the semantic problems inherent in these texts, which are common to other ancient and medieval texts as well.
• "Inscriptional Sanskrit" as a Sociolect: He posits that "inscriptional Sanskrit" should be treated as a special sociolect, distinct from other forms of Sanskrit. This is due to phenomena like epigraphical hybrid Sanskrit and other peculiarities in language use.
• Connection to "Administrative Sanskrit" and Dharmasastra: Wezler argues against restricting the investigation of semantic problems solely within the confines of inscriptional Sanskrit. He believes it's closely related to "administrative Sanskrit," a field poorly understood due to a scarcity of documents. He specifically highlights the Dharmasastra as a likely area influenced by or containing traces of administrative Sanskrit, and intends to demonstrate this connection with an example.
• Analysis of the Term "a-hasta-praksepaniya": A significant portion of the article is dedicated to analyzing the compound term "a-hasta-praksepaniya." Wezler critiques D. C. Sircar's "Indian Epigraphical Glossary" for its unhelpful definitions and circular references for this term. He points out how Sircar's method of equating terms with "same as" is arbitrary and lacks proper explanation.
• Etymology and Meaning of "a-hasta-praksepaniya": Wezler traces the origin of "a-hasta-praksepaniya" to the idiomatic expression na (x + locative affix) ... hastapraksepo (asti), meaning something like "no one's hand can be put into it." He explains it as a metaphorical expression signifying "not to be meddled with."
• Connection to Dharmasastra Commentary (Manusmrti): Wezler draws a parallel from Bharuci's commentary on Manusmrti (8.316 cd) concerning the concept of a thief undertaking penance voluntarily. Bharuci states that in such cases, "the king must not interfere with this" (na tatra rajno hastaprakseposti). Wezler elaborates on the implications of this "non-interference" in the context of administering justice, suggesting it implies the king refrains from his duties or rights.
• Metaphorical vs. Literal Interpretation: He discusses the interpretation of "a-hasta-praksepaniya" in inscriptions, particularly as an attribute of a village granted by a king. He examines Njammasch's interpretation, which suggests a literal translation of "must not even be touched with the hand," and questions whether she fully grasped the metaphorical nature of the term. Wezler suggests that the term likely refers to administrative immunity granted to a donation.
• Critique of "Sameness" in Glossaries: Wezler criticizes the simplistic approach of glossaries that declare terms to be "the same" without providing adequate explanation. He uses the example of "a-bhata-pravesa" and "a-hasta-praksepaniya" being used in the same inscription to demonstrate that they are not necessarily synonymous.
• The Nature of "Non-Interference": Wezler concludes that "non-interference" in this context is a deliberate act, to be distinguished from a king's failure to act. He argues that understanding this deliberate non-interference is crucial for interpreting "a-hasta-praksepaniya" in inscriptions.

In essence, Wezler's "Epigraphic Notes" is a scholarly examination of how to accurately interpret the language and meaning of ancient Indian inscriptions. He emphasizes the need for nuanced semantic analysis, highlighting the connection between inscriptional language, administrative practices, and religious texts like the Dharmasastras, using the term "a-hasta-praksepaniya" as a central case study. While the article touches upon the broader field of epigraphy and Dharmasastra, its primary focus is on semantic interpretation and the challenges associated with it.