On Nouns With Numerical Vallue In Sanskrit

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Book Title: On Nouns with Numerical Value in Sanskrit Author: Willem Bollée Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan

This paper, "On Nouns with Numerical Value in Sanskrit" by Willem Bollée, explores a fascinating linguistic phenomenon in Sanskrit: the use of nouns that, through association, represent specific numbers. This practice is contrasted with modern Western languages where numerals themselves are rarely used as nouns (e.g., "the eleven" for a sports team).

The author notes that while India, like ancient Greece with the Pythagoreans, has a tradition of associating numbers with concepts or objects, this goes beyond mere symbolic representation. In Sanskrit, certain nouns function as synonyms for numbers due to established connections. The paper focuses on nouns that are used instead of numerals.

Historical Context and Origins:

• The phenomenon was first highlighted by the astrologer Abu-al-Rayhān al Biruni (973-1048 CE), who observed that Sanskrit metrical handbooks on astronomy contained numerous words for each number. He noted this allowed for flexibility in fitting the meter by exchanging synonyms.
• Brahmagupta is quoted as stating that one should represent "one" with anything unique (like the earth or moon), "two" with anything double (like black and white), and "twelve" with names of the sun.
• Scholars like Filliozat and Kane have compiled lists of these numerical synonyms, particularly noting their prevalence among astronomers like the authors of the Sūryasiddhānta and Varāhamihira.
• This practice was also used for historical records, as seen in Guņabhadra's Uttarapuraṇa and Manoharlāl Śastri's preface to Vādirāja's Pārsvanāthacarita.

The Nature of these Nouns:

• Bollée states that there's generally no inherent logical relationship between different nouns associated with the same number (e.g., "earth," "hook," and "kali die" all denoting "one"). The association is often conventional or based on mythological or descriptive links.

The Provided List:

The core of the paper is an extensive list of Sanskrit nouns that function as numerical indicators. These are drawn from Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary and supplemented by Filliozat's and Kane's lists (marked with '+' and '*' respectively). The list includes entries like:

• For One (1): akṣa (die), anka (hook), Atri-dṛg-ja (moon), an-antā (earth), antya (last), abja (moon), ādi (beginning), ku (earth), kṣamā (earth), kṣiti (earth), dharā (earth), pṛthivī (earth), bhu (earth), māhi (earth), mahi-dhra (mountain), śāśāṅka (moon), śaśin (moon), soma (moon), rūpa (single specimen), Viṣṇu.
• For Two (2): akṣi (eye), Aśvin, kara (hand), Dasra (Aśvin), dosa (arm), locana (eye), Nāsatya (Aśvin), yama(la) (twin), yuj (couple, pair).
• For Three (3): agni (fire), anala (fire), krama (step), guṇa (quality), Trinetra (Śiva), danta (tooth), dārava (tooth), pāvaka (fire), vahni (fire), hutāśa (fire), śikhiṁn (fire), Rāma (three Ramas), Hara-netra (Śiva's third eye).
• For Zero (0): an-anta (heaven, space), antarikṣa (heaven, space), ākaśa (space), ambra (heaven, space), ambara (heaven, space), kha (sky), gagana (sky), jala-dhara-patha (sky, space), viyanta (sky), vyoman (sky), śūnya (emptiness, vacuum), viśva (for Viśvedevāḥ), randhra (opening).
• Other examples: agni (fire) for 3, śikhiṁn (fire) for 3, śūnya (emptiness) for 0, ṛṣi (seer) for 7, naga (mountain) for 7, giri (mountain) for 8, gaja (elephant) for 8, brahma (for the number 4) and so on, extending to larger numbers and specific concepts like poetic meters.

Key Observations:

• The paper highlights the lexicographical richness of Sanskrit, where a single number can be expressed by a multitude of nouns, often drawn from mythology, nature, or descriptive attributes.
• This practice was particularly important for metrical poetry and astronomical texts where precise vocabulary fitting the rhythm was crucial.
• The list demonstrates the wide range of associations, from natural phenomena (earth, sky, sun, moon) to abstract concepts (qualities, meters) and mythological figures (deities, sages).

In essence, Bollée's work provides a scholarly exploration and catalog of Sanskrit nouns that served as creative and functional substitutes for numerical digits, showcasing the depth and ingenuity of the ancient Indian linguistic and literary traditions.