Katantra Vyakaranam Part 02 Khand 01
Added to library: September 2, 2025

Summary
This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Katantra Vyakaranam Part 02 Khand 01" by Jankiprasad Dwivedi, published by Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishva Vidyalay. This analysis is based on the provided text, covering its introductory pages and the initial chapters of the "Namachatushtaya" section.
Book Title: Katantra Vyakaranam Part 02 Khand 01 Author: Jankiprasad Dwivedi Publisher: Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishva Vidyalay, Varanasi Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/023087/1
Overall Summary:
This volume, Part Two, Volume One of the Katantra Vyakarana, is a critical edition of Acharya Sarvavarman's foundational grammar work, specifically focusing on the "Namachatushtaya" (Four Chapters of Nouns) section. It includes the original text along with four significant commentaries:
- Kātantravṛttipañjikā by Śri Durga Singh
- Kātantravṛttipañjikā (likely a distinct work or further elaboration by Durga Singh)
- Kālāpacandra by Śri Trilochanadasa
- Samīkṣā by Kaviraja Susenaśarmā (Critical commentary)
The work is further enhanced by a foreword from Dr. Mandan Mishra, the Vice-Chancellor of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, and edited by Dr. Janakiprasada Dwivedi. The publication, from 1998, aims to make this complex grammatical treatise, along with its extensive commentaries, accessible to scholars and students, providing detailed explanations, comparisons with Panini's grammar, and insights into Jain philosophical traditions related to language.
Key Content and Structure:
The summary details the following aspects of the volume:
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Introduction (Prastavana/Bhumika):
- The foreword by Dr. Mandan Mishra highlights the significance of grammar as a gateway to language and knowledge. It mentions the three core sections of Katantra Vyakarana: Sandhi Prakarana, Namachatushtaya Prakarana, and Akhyata Prakarana. The first volume, covering Sandhi, was published in 1997.
- This second part focuses on the "Namachatushtaya" (Noun-related topics), specifically the first three sections (Pada-tritaya) of the "Chatushtaya" (four main sections of noun-related rules). The remaining topics (Karaka, Samasa, Taddhita) will be in the second volume of Part Two.
- The volume contains 206 sutras, with commentaries from Durga Singh, his commentary on Durga Singh's work (likely a Tika), Trilochanadasa's 'Kātantravṛttipañjikā', and Susena Sharma's 'Kalapachandra'.
- The editor, Dr. Janakiprasad Dwivedi, provides explanations and critical reviews in Hindi for each sutra, facilitating understanding of the grammatical principles.
- The critical analysis often presents three perspectives: comparison with Paninian sutras, unique grammatical concepts within Katantra, and the process of word derivation.
- The introduction emphasizes the simplicity and conciseness of Katantra, making it popular in various regions and among different cultural groups, including Tibet and Mongolia. It also notes the rarity of printed materials in Nagari script and the importance of the manuscript material used for this edition.
- The foreword expresses gratitude to the university, the publication committee, and the editor for their efforts.
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Detailed Content Breakdown (Vishayanukramani / Chapter Index): The detailed table of contents reveals the extensive nature of the volume, covering numerous grammatical concepts within the first "Dhatu Pada" (root-related section) of the "Namachatushtaya" and the subsequent "Sakhi Pada" (related to pronouns like Sakhi). This includes:
- Linga Samjna (Gender Noun Affix): Discussion on the term 'Linga' vs. Panini's 'Pratipadika', its etymology, philosophical views on word meaning (Jati, Dravya, etc.), and the classification of words.
- Syadi Vibhakti (Case Affixes): Use of case affixes without explicitly naming them.
- Ghut Samjna: A specific affixation category, contrasted with Panini's 'Sarvanamasthana'.
- Sambuddhi Samjna: The vocative case.
- Agama Udanubandha: Rules regarding the insertion of vowel-bound ('u') affixes.
- Nadi Samjna: A feminine noun affix.
- Shraddha Samjna: Another noun affix, possibly related to feminine gender.
- Upadha Samjna: Rules related to penultimate sounds.
- Anushanga Samjna: A specific phonetic rule.
- Various rules concerning root transformations, affixations (ending in -sl, -au, -jas, -am, -au), case endings (-ta, -bhyam, -bhis, -de, -bhyam, -bhyas, -dsi, -os, -am, -di), augmentations, vowel changes (dirgha, guna, etc.), substitutions (y, v, n), and other grammatical processes.
- Specific pronoun declensions (Yushmad, Asmad).
- Comparison and contrast with Panini's grammar is a recurring theme.
- Extensive discussion of various sutras and their application with examples.
- Detailed analysis of the reasoning behind grammatical rules, often citing Pāṇini, Mahābhāṣyakāra, Nyāsa-kāra, and other ancient commentators.
- The volume also includes appendices (Parishishta) such as a list of sutras, रूपसिद्धि (form derivations), a list of verses (Shlokasuchi), a list of etymologically derived words (Vyutpattiparaka Shabdha Suchi), and a list of cited authors and texts.
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Editorial Approach:
- The editor emphasizes providing Hindi explanations and critical reviews for each sutra.
- The critical analysis includes comparative study with Paninian sutras, discussion of specific grammatical principles within Katantra, and demonstration of word formation processes.
- The volume draws upon various sources, including Brahmanical texts like Gopatha Brahmana, Brhaddevata, and Agni Purana, as well as other grammatical traditions like Jainendra Vyakarana, highlighting the interconnectedness of ancient Indian knowledge systems.
Key Features Emphasized in the Introduction:
- Simplicity and Brevity: Katantra Vyakarana is repeatedly praised for its conciseness and ease of understanding, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Mahendri Tradition: The volume aims to revive and highlight the Mahendri tradition of grammar, which is presented as more accessible and practical for everyday language use compared to the more complex Paninian system.
- Comprehensive Commentaries: The inclusion of four distinct commentaries is a major strength, offering diverse interpretations and scholarly insights.
- Comparative Study: The emphasis on comparing Katantra with Panini's Ashtadhyayi is crucial for understanding the nuances and uniqueness of the former.
- Jain Influence: While the text is presented as a scholarly edition of a classical Sanskrit grammar, the mention of "Jain Education International" and the "Shri Kundakunda Bharati Trust" in relation to the editor suggests a potential connection or appreciation for Jain scholarship regarding this text. The editor, Dr. Dwivedi, received the "Acharya-Umaswami Award" from the Delhi-based Jain Trust, underscoring this connection.
In essence, this volume is a monumental scholarly endeavor to present and analyze the Katantra Vyakarana, offering a detailed and comparative study of its noun-related rules with extensive commentary, making it a valuable resource for understanding this important grammatical tradition.