Sarasvatam Vyakaranam - Book Summary

The Jain text you've provided is an excerpt from Sarasvatam Vyakaranam (सारस्वतं व्याकरणम्), a grammar text authored by Shravak Bhimsinh Manek. The catalog link you provided suggests it's part of a larger collection of Jain religious and philosophical works.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text, focusing on the grammatical concepts and explanations present in these pages:

Overall Purpose and Context:

A Grammar for Jain Disciples (Shravak): The title and author suggest this grammar is specifically tailored for the understanding and practice of Jain scholars (Shravaks). The preface (Page 3) highlights the importance of grammar for clarifying language, stating that even understanding a single word can lead to "Sphotabrahmaprāpti" (a concept related to the ultimate source of sound and meaning).
Commentary on the Sarasvata Grammar: The text explicitly mentions being "Vr̥ttitrayasahitamā" (वृत्रितत्रयसहितम्), indicating it's a commentary on the original Sarasvata Grammar. It also notes the inclusion of a commentary by Chandrakirti (चन्द्रकीर्तिप्रणीतया सुबोधिकानाम्न्या टाकया संवलितम्), suggesting this is an annotated edition.
Accessibility for Learners: The preface emphasizes the aim of making the grammar accessible to students ("adhyetrbhirēṣā pratipadaṁ nīrikṣitācēdalpāyāsēna mahatē'rthalābhāya syāt"). The publication uses different font sizes to distinguish between the original text, Chandrakirti's commentary, and potentially further annotations (Page 3).
Comprehensive Coverage: The table of contents (Page 4) reveals a wide range of grammatical topics, from basic "Mangalam" (मंगलम्) and "Sangyāprakriyā" (संज्ञाप्रक्रिया - noun formation) to sandhi rules (स्वरसंधि, हसन्धि, विसर्ग संधि), declensions of nouns (various endings for masculine, feminine, neuter), pronouns (युष्मद्-अस्मत्), compounds (समास), and verb conjugations (with roots like भ्वादि, अद, जुहु, etc.). It also covers derivations (कृत्, तद्धित) and their rules.

Key Grammatical Concepts and Sections Covered:

Mangalam (Invocation): The text begins with standard invocations to the Trimuni (मुनित्रय) and the Goddess Saraswati, acknowledging the importance of grammar in purifying language (Page 3).
Introduction to Grammar: It establishes grammar's role in removing linguistic impurities and achieving a deeper understanding of words, which can lead to spiritual realization (Page 3).
Sarasvata Tradition: The text explicitly states that the Sarasvata name grammar is particularly prevalent in the northern regions of India ("prāyaśudīcyaviṣayēṣu bahuśah pracalati") (Page 3).
Structure of the Publication: The publication is presented as a revised and annotated version of the original Sarasvata Grammar, with the main text in large font, Chandrakirti's commentary in a smaller font, and further notes (टिप्पणी - ṭippaṇī) in an even smaller font (Page 3).
Table of Contents: A detailed index (Page 4) outlines the structure, covering:
- Initial Sections: Mangalam (Invocation), Sangyāprakriyā (Noun Formation/Terminology).
- Sandhi: Swara Sandhi (Vowel Sandhi), Hasa Sandhi (Consonant Sandhi), Visarga Sandhi (Sandhi with Visarga).
- Nouns: Various case endings for masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns (swarant, hasant, etc.), and pronouns like yushmad-asmad (युष्मद्-अस्मद्).
- Compounds (Samasa): Detailed explanations of different types of samasa.
- Verbs (Aakhyata): Sections on bhwādi (भ्वादि), ad (अद्), kruñ (क्रुञ्), hu (हु), rudh (रुध्), etc., likely covering conjugations, tenses (lkar), and moods.
- Taddhita: Suffixes added to nouns to form new nouns.
- Kr̥t: Suffixes added to roots to form nouns or adjectives.
- General Grammatical Rules: Rules for gati (gati), i-pratyaya (स्त्रीप्रत्यय), vibhaktyartha (विभक्त्यर्थ - case meanings), etc.
- Conclusion: Upasamharah (उपसंहारः).

Specific Content Highlighted in the Excerpts:

Page 5 (Opening Shloka and Commentary): The text starts with an invocation and a brief explanation of the purpose of the grammar, emphasizing the acquisition of knowledge of the "Supreme Soul" (परमात्मा) and the growth of intelligence. It then delves into the grammatical analysis of words like pranamya (प्रणम्य) and paramatmanam (परमात्मानम्), breaking them down into roots, suffixes, and rules.
Page 9 (Sangyāprakriyā): This section begins the noun formation or terminology section, discussing the grouping of vowels (अइउऋलसमानाः), the concept of savarna (सवर्ण - similar sounds), and the rules of sandhi (संधि) in relation to their application.
Page 10 (Vowel and Consonant Identification): It explains the classification of vowels (swara) and consonants (vyanjana) and introduces the concept of it-samjna (इत्संज्ञा - the concept of a sound that is elided). It also touches upon the definition of laghu (लघु - short) and guru (गुरु - long) vowels, and the different places of articulation for sounds.
Pages 14-15 (Pratyahara and Vyanjana): This section details the process of pratyahara (प्रत्याहार - combining sounds to create a shorthand notation for groups of letters) using the Haysaralav (हयवरल) sequence and introduces the classification of consonants (vyanjana). It explains the rules for it-samjna and lopah (लोपः - elision).
Pages 15-26 (Sandhi Rules - Swara Sandhi): This extensive section covers various rules of vowel sandhi (swara sandhi), including rules for vowels changing into y, v, r, l when followed by other vowels (iyam svarē, uvam, ram, lam), and rules for diphthongs (ē, ai, ō, au). It also discusses the concept of vivari (विवरि - variation in pronunciation) and exceptions to the rules.
Pages 26-33 (Prakriti Bhava and Vyanjana Sandhi): This section introduces prakriti bhava (प्रकृतिभाव - the state of remaining unchanged, i.e., no sandhi applied) and continues with consonant sandhi (vyanjana sandhi) rules, including changes of consonants, assimilation (jaba), and modifications based on the following consonant.
Pages 42-47 (Visarga Sandhi and Upasarga): This part details visarga sandhi (विसर्ग संधि - rules for the visarga sound ':'), covering its changes into sa, sha, ra. It also introduces upasarga (उपसर्ग - prefixes) and their grammatical functions.
Pages 47-72 (Noun Declensions - Pulinga): This significant portion focuses on the declension of masculine nouns (pulinga), starting with vowel-ending nouns (swaranta). It systematically explains case endings (vibhakti) for nominative, accusative, instrumental, dative, ablative, genitive, and locative cases for various noun stems, providing examples.
Pages 81-94 (Feminine Nouns - Strilinga): This section shifts to the declension of feminine nouns (strilinga), focusing on vowel-ending feminine nouns, particularly those ending in ā (ābanta) like gangā (गङ्गा) and ī (ībanta) like nadī (नदी).
Pages 116-140 (Neuter Nouns - Napunsakalinga): This part addresses the declension of neuter nouns (napunsakalinga), starting with vowel-ending ones like kula (कुल).
Pages 141-156 (Verb Conjugations - Parasmaipada): This section begins the explanation of verb conjugations (akhyata), detailing the ten lakaars (tenses and moods) and their formations for parasmaipada (pernasmalapada - verbs that take active voice endings). It covers laṭ (present tense), liṭ (perfect tense), luṭ (future tense), lr̥ (conditional), laṅ (imperfect), luṅ (aorist), liṅ (optative), and laṭ (imperative), explaining the various suffixes and rules applied.
Pages 293-347 (Bhvadi Gana - Parasmaipada): This is a very detailed section on the bhvadi (भ्वादि) verb class, explaining the conjugation of many roots like bhū (भू - to be), kṛ (कृ - to do), dṛś (दृश् - to see), ghrā (घ्रा - to smell), han (हन् - to kill), etc., across different lakaars and persons, along with specific rules for samprasāraṇa (सं.प्र. - vowel change), guṇa (गुण), vr̥ddhi (वृद्धि), it-saṁjñā (इत्संज्ञा), lop (लोप - elision), and āgama (आगम - insertion of letters).
Pages 347-377 (Bhavadi Gana - Atmanepada): This section continues with the bhvadi (भ्वादि) class but focuses on ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद - verbs taking middle voice endings), again detailing the conjugation of roots and specific rules.
Pages 377-397 (Bhavadi Gana - Ubhayapada): This part discusses verbs that can take both parasmaipada and ātmanepada endings, explaining the rules for choosing between them based on context and meaning (e.g., whether the action affects the self or another).
Pages 397-427 (Adadi Gana): This section begins the explanation of the adādi (अदादि) verb class, covering roots like ad (अद् - to eat), pā (पा - to drink), pā (पा - to protect), gā (गम् - to go), hṛ (हृ - to take), kṛ (कृ - to do), mṛ (कृ - to perish), etc. It details their conjugation and specific rules, including luka (लुक् - elision of suffixes), dvitva (द्वित्व - doubling of letters), and various sandhi rules.
Pages 427-478 (Cauradi Gana): This section moves to the curādi (चुरादि) verb class, which are generally causative verbs. It explains the yaṅ (यङ्) and ya (या) causative suffixes and their application, along with related rules for sandhi, lengthening, and elision.
Pages 478-511 (Nam Dhatu): This part delves into nāmadhātu (नामधातु - verbs derived from nouns), explaining how nouns can be turned into verb roots and conjugated. It covers various rules for forming these verbs and their declensions, including the application of suffixes like ka, ya, in, nu, and kvi, as well as samprasāraṇa and guṇa.
Pages 511-548 (Karaka and Vibhakti, Taddhita, Kr̥t): The text then moves to case functions (kārakaprakriyā) and the rules for their application (vibhakti). This is followed by taddhita (तद्धित - noun suffixes forming adjectives or abstract nouns) and kr̥t (कृत् - verbal suffixes forming nouns or adjectives from verbs) rules, with numerous examples.
Pages 548-549 (Conclusion of Taddhita and Start of Upasarga): The section on Taddhita concludes, and the text introduces upasarga (उपसर्ग - prefixes) with a list of common ones and their meanings.
Pages 549-573 (Final Sections - Upasarga, Noun Declensions, Verb Summary): The final pages cover more noun declensions (e.g., sarva, dwitiya, tritiya), verb conjugations for various roots (kṛ, mṛ, ghṛ), and potentially summarize or conclude the grammatical treatise.

Key Features and Significance:

Detailed Explanations: The text provides granular explanations of grammatical rules, breaking down words into their constituent parts (root, suffix, prefix) and illustrating their formation with examples.
Comparative Approach: It often highlights when its rules might differ from or supplement other traditions ("Pāṇinīyānāṁ mata," "Vaidika prayoga").
Jain Focus: While a grammar of Sanskrit, its presentation within a Jain context suggests an emphasis on clarity and applicability for Jain philosophical and religious texts. The preface explicitly mentions serving the needs of "Shravak" (lay disciples).
Scholarly Effort: The preface on page 3 speaks of the effort involved in researching, compiling, and publishing this text, indicating a significant scholarly undertaking to make this grammar widely available.

In essence, the provided text is a segment of a scholarly Jain grammatical work, offering detailed rules and examples for Sanskrit grammar, likely with a focus on making these rules accessible and relevant for the Jain community.