Laghu Siddhant Kaumudi Me Aaye Hue Varttiko Ka Samikshatmaka Adhyayan

This document is the thesis titled "A Critical Study of the Varttikas found in Laghu Siddhanta Kaumudi" by Chandrita Pandey, submitted to the Department of Sanskrit, University of Allahabad for the D. Phil. degree in 1992.

Here's a comprehensive summary of its key aspects, based on the provided pages:

1. Introduction and Purpose:

• The author begins with an "Self-Introduction" (Atma-Nivedan) reflecting on the evolution of language and the significance of Sanskrit as the mother of many languages and a vehicle for spiritual growth.
• The thesis aims to provide a "Critical Study of the Varttikas found in Laghu Siddhanta Kaumudi."
• The author expresses deep gratitude to her parents, teachers, and supportive individuals who contributed to her academic journey and the completion of this research.

2. Importance of Grammar (Vyakarana Shastra):

• Foundation of Language: The thesis emphasizes that grammar is essential for understanding and using any language correctly, particularly Sanskrit. It's described as the science that analyzes words ("Padon ki mimansa karne wala shastra") and explains the formation of words from roots and suffixes.
• Historical Significance: The author traces the importance of grammar back to the Vedic period, citing its presence in mantras and its metaphorical representation as a "bull" with various attributes in the Rigveda.
• Purposes of Studying Grammar (According to Vararuci):
  1. Raksha (Protection): Primarily the protection of the Vedas.
  2. Uha (Inference/Conception): The ability to create new words or understand their basis.
  3. Agama (Authority): Scripture itself being the proof for grammatical study.
  4. Laghu (Conciseness/Ease): To facilitate understanding and communication.
  5. Sandesha (Doubt Removal): Resolving uncertainties regarding Vedic words.

3. History of Sanskrit Grammar:

• Origin and Sources: The Vedas are identified as the ultimate source of knowledge, with many grammatical derivations found within them. The Yajuṣṭa Veda is mentioned for its use of the term "vyākaraṇa" in its literal sense.
• Pre-Pāṇinian Grammarians: The thesis dedicates significant space to detailing the contributions of various grammarians who preceded Pāṇini. These include:
  • Maheshvara (Shiva): Credited with the Maheśvara sūtras (pratyāhāra sūtras).
  • Bṛhaspati: Considered the second originator of grammar, teaching Indra.
  • Indra: Responsible for developing the concept of analyzing words into roots and suffixes.
  • Vāyu: Assisted Indra in the grammatical analysis of speech.
  • Vaiyākaraṇa Bhāradvāja: Though his grammar is lost, his contribution is acknowledged.
  • Āchārya Bhāguri: Known for his views on vowel elision.
  • Poṣkarasādi: His views are cited in the Prātiśākhyas.
  • Chārāyaṇa: Mentioned in the Mahābhāṣya.
  • Kāśakṛtsna: His grammatical treatise is mentioned alongside Āpiśāli and Pāṇini.
  • Śāntanu: Credited with a complete grammar, including the Śākaṭāyana's pāṇiniya aṣṭādhyāyī
  • Vagrapadya: His vārtikas are mentioned.
  • Roḍi: Mentioned alongside Āpiśāli, Pāṇini, and Kāśakṛtsna.
  • Śaunaki: His views are quoted by Charaka's commentator.
  • Gautama: His opinions are found in the Prātiśākhyas.
  • Vyāḍi: Mentioned as an associate of Pāṇini.
  • Śākaṭāyana: His grammatical works are discussed.
  • Śākalya: His views are referenced by various scholars.
  • Senaka: Little information is available.
  • Audumbaraāyaṇa: Likely the originator of the sphoṭa doctrine.
• Pāṇini and His Grammar (Aṣṭādhyāyī):
  • The thesis highlights the uniqueness and completeness of Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī, the only ancient Sanskrit grammar that is fully preserved.
  • It discusses Pāṇini's names, family, and possible geographical connections.
  • The structure of the Aṣṭādhyāyī is outlined, covering its eight chapters and their respective contents (Sandhi, Subanta, Tivanta, Kṛdanta, Vibhaktyartha, Samāsa, Taddhita, Strīpratyaya).
  • The influence of the Maheśvara sūtras (pratyāhāra sūtras) is noted.
• Vārtikas:
  • Kātyāyana: Identified as the primary vārtikakāra on Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī. The definition of a vārtika (commentary that addresses what is stated, unstated, or misstated) is discussed, citing various scholars like Parāśara, Hemacandra, Rājaśekhara, and Nāgeśa. The etymology of "vārtika" is also explored.
  • Types of Varttikas: Kātyāyana's vārtikas are broadly categorized into Vyakhyāna (explanation), Prayojana (purpose), Pratixyākhyāna (refutation), and Vidhāna (prescription).
• Bhāṣyakāra (Commentator):
  • Patañjali: The author of the Mahābhāṣya, considered the most important commentary on Pāṇini's grammar. The thesis acknowledges the lack of biographical details about Patañjali but highlights his achievement in making grammar accessible and authoritative.
• Vṛttikāras (Commentators on Vṛttis):
  • The thesis mentions the existence of numerous vṛttis on the Aṣṭādhyāyī.
  • Kāśikā Vṛtti: The most significant and widely studied commentary, attributed to Jayaditya and Vāmana. Its features and subsequent commentators (like Jinendrabuddhi, Indumitra, Vidyāsāgara Muni, Haradatta Miśra, and Rāmadeva Miśra) are discussed.
• Prakriyā Granthakāras (Authors of Procedural Grammars):
  • The shift towards procedural grammars for easier learning is explained.
  • Key authors and their works are listed:
    • Dharmakīrti: Rūpāvatāra (earliest available)
    • Rāmacandra: Prakriyā Kaumudī
    • Vimala Sarasvatī: Rūpamālā
    • Śeṣakṛṣṇa: Commentary (Prakāśa) on Prakriyā Kaumudī
    • Bhaṭṭoji Dīkṣita: Siddhānta Kaumudī (highly influential) and Śabda Kaustubha
    • Varadarāja: Laghu Siddhānta Kaumudī (the subject of this thesis) and Madhya Siddhānta Kaumudī.

4. Analysis of Varttikas in Laghu Siddhanta Kaumudi:

The core of the thesis is the detailed examination of specific vārtikas as presented in Varadarāja's Laghu Siddhānta Kaumudī. The document lists and briefly explains the purpose and context of several vārtikas across different sections of grammar:

• Saṃjñā Prakaraṇam (Nouns/Terminologies):
  • Aluvarṇayormithah Sāvarṇyaṃ vācyam (about the mutual sāvarnya of 'a' and 'ḷ')
• Sandhi Prakaraṇam (Euphony/Sandhi):
  • Yaṇaḥ pratiṣedho vācyaḥ (prohibition of yaṇ)
  • Adhvapari Mṇe ca (regarding measurement of distance)
  • Prādahotoda yeṣveṣu (regarding certain prefixes and roots)
  • Ate ca tṛtīyāsamāse (regarding the 'at' ending in a samāsa with the third case)
  • Pravatsarakaṃ balavasanārṇadaśānāṃ ṛṇe (regarding certain words and 'ṛṇa')
  • Śakandhvādīṣu pararūpaṃ vācyam (about pararūpa sandhi in Śakandhvādi words)
  • Na samāse siti ca (prohibition in samāsa and before 'sit')
• Subanta Prakaraṇam (Inflected Nouns):
  • Tṛtīyasyeti ditsuvā (regarding the third person pronoun ending)
  • Numacir-tṛjvadbhāvebhyonurapūrva vipratiṣedhena (priority of num over others)
  • Dṛnkar-punaḥ-pūrvasya bhuvo yaṇ vācyaḥ (regarding the root 'bhū')
  • Avarnānnasya gatvaṃ vācyaḥ (regarding 'ga' for non-varna)
  • Auḍaḥ śyāpratiṣedho vācyaḥ (prohibition of śyāp)
  • Ekatara t pratishedho vaktabhyaḥ (prohibition of ekatara)
  • Vṛddhayau tvajvattṛjvabhāvaguṇebhyonuma pūrvavipratishedhena (priority of num in certain cases)
  • Ḍāvuttarapadapratiṣedho vācyaḥ (prohibition of ḍāp)
  • Pari vrajeṣaḥ padānte (regarding the change of 'vraj' to 'ṣa')
  • Ekavākye yuṣmadasmadādeśā vāktavyāḥ (pronoun changes in the same sentence)
  • Ete vānnādādayo nannādeśavā vāktavyāḥ (pronoun changes for anna, etc.)
  • Asya saṃbuddhau vanaḷopasho vācyaḥ (elision of 'n' in address)
  • Anvaśeḍo napuṃsake naḍadvaṃ vācyaḥ (pronoun changes in neuter)
  • Saṃbuddhau napuṃsakānāṃ naḷopo vā vācyaḥ (elision of 'n' in neuter address)
• Tivanta Prakaraṇam (Verbs):
  • Covers various vārtikas related to verb conjugations, augmentations (like sij), and exceptions.
• Kṛdanta Prakaraṇam (Primary Derivatives):
  • Includes vārtikas concerning specific Kṛt suffixes like kvip, ka, kti, and their exceptions.
• Samāsa Prakaraṇam (Compound Words):
  • Covers vārtikas on various types of compounds, including avyayībhāva, tatpuruṣa, and bahuvrīhi, with specific rules on elision, gender agreement, and compound formation.
• Taddhita Prakaraṇam (Secondary Derivatives):
  • A large section detailing vārtikas related to taddhita suffixes, their application in different contexts (like patya, prāgdīvyatīya), and exceptions.
• Strīpratyaya Prakaraṇam (Feminine Suffixes):
  • Discusses vārtikas concerning the feminine suffixes like ḍāp, ānuk, ṭhak, and specific rules related to words like himā, araṇya, yava, mātula, upādhyāya, etc.

5. Methodology:

• The study critically examines each vārtika found in the Laghu Siddhānta Kaumudī.
• It compares the text with the original Mahābhāṣya and other commentaries to understand the context, necessity, and potential alternative interpretations or justifications for the vārtikas.
• The author analyzes whether the vārtikas represent new rules (apūrva vacana), clarification of existing rules (anuvādaka), or exceptions (pratiṣedha).
• The influence of earlier grammatical traditions and the views of prominent commentators like Kaiyaṭa, Nāgeśa, Haradatta, and the author of Manorama are considered.

Overall Significance:

This thesis provides a detailed and critical analysis of the vārtikas in Laghu Siddhānta Kaumudī, aiming to elucidate their grammatical significance, historical context, and relationship with earlier commentaries and Pāṇini's sutras. It serves as a valuable resource for students and scholars of Sanskrit grammar, offering insights into the nuances and evolution of this ancient linguistic science. The extensive table of contents indicates a thorough and systematic approach to the subject.