Shabda Sanskar

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shabda Sanskar" by Muni Kalyankirtivijay:

Title: Shabda Sanskar (Proper Formation of Words) Author: Muni Kalyankirtivijay Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Source: A compilation from the preface of 'Uktiratinakar' by Sadhusundargani, published in the Rajasthan Puratan Granthamala series, edited by Pura-tatvacarya Muni Jinvijay.

Introduction & Purpose:

The book "Shabda Sanskar" is a compilation of Sanskrit equivalents for words prevalent in the vernacular (Deshi Bhasha) of the author's time. It acknowledges Sanskrit as the universal and eternal language of literature throughout India's history. The text explains that various Prakrit languages (Magadhi, Shauraseni, Paishachi, Maharashtri, etc.) emerged from Sanskrit, and from these Prakrit languages, Apabhramsha languages developed. These Apabhramsha languages are recognized by grammarians as "Deshya Bhasha" (vernacular languages).

Modern Indian languages like Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, Sindhi, Rajasthani (including Gujarati, Marwari, Malvi), all originated from these Apabhramsha or Deshya languages. The core reason for the transformation of hundreds of Sanskrit words into these new forms is attributed to:

• Interactions: Contact between people of different regions and communities.
• Pronunciation Differences: Variations in how words are spoken.
• Usage Differences: Changes in how words are used in daily life.

Words with many conjunct consonants (samyuktākṣaras) are particularly prone to Prakrit and Apabhramsha changes. Examples provided illustrate this:

• Sanskrit: saṅkhya (संख्या) -> Prakrit/Apabhramsha: sakkaya, saṅgaḍa
• Sanskrit: sadṛśa (सदृश) -> Prakrit/Apabhramsha: sarikkha, sarikhu, sarakhu
• Sanskrit: upādhyāya (उपाध्याय) -> Prakrit/Apabhramsha: uvajjhaya, ojjhaya, ojhā, jhā / vajhe

The processes for transforming Sanskrit words into Prakrit and Apabhramsha forms are detailed in Prakrit-Apabhramsha grammars. While specialized scholars can understand these processes by studying these grammars, earlier scholars created texts designated as "Auktika" (related to words/sayings) to provide a concise understanding for those who simply want to know the commonalities and differences between vernacular and Sanskrit languages, or to find the Sanskrit equivalent of a vernacular word that has changed due to spoken usage.

Historical Context of "Auktika" Texts:

The oldest known text in this category is Ukti-vyakti-prakaraṇa by Damodar Pandit of Banaras, likely composed in the late 12th century Vikram era. This text extensively explains the relationship between the vernacular of the Banaras region at that time and Sanskrit, detailing how vernacular words can be refined into pure Sanskrit forms. Damodar Pandit emphasizes that through colloquial expressions and word usage of the time, a basic understanding of Sanskrit grammar can be easily acquired.

Following Ukti-vyakti-prakaraṇa, numerous other smaller and larger texts on the same subject and in a similar style are found in various knowledge repositories. Published works include Uktiratinakar, Uktiyaka, Auktika-padani, and Mugdhabodha-Auktika (by Kulamandanasuri).

Content and Structure of "Shabda Sanskar":

This book, "Ugatīya (Uktīya / Auttik) Shabda Sanskāraḥ," is being published through "Anusandhan." It begins with a word collection (approximately up to page 9). Following this, the compilation includes:

• Derived words (Kṛdanta): Categorized by grammatical function such as passive past participle, active present participle, relative past participle, passive present participle, and final causative participle.
• Desire-indicating (Sannanta) Kṛdantas.
• Imperative verbs.
• Intransitive verbs (Akarmak Dhatu).
• Transitive verbs (Dvikarmak Dhatu).
• The twenty prefixes (Upasargas).
• The six cases (Karakas) are described briefly with examples.

Significance and Value:

The word collection is highlighted as particularly noteworthy and worthy of study. This is because it contains many words not found in Uktiratinakar or other similar works. Furthermore, when providing the Sanskrit equivalents for vernacular or Sanskrit-derived words, the author has often included additional Sanskrit synonyms, a feature rarely found in other texts. This makes the book valuable for tracing the origin and lineage of certain words. It also serves as a useful and concise glossary for readers and students of medieval literature.

Manuscript Details and Attribution:

The manuscript copy used for this publication was obtained from the collection of the editor's revered guru. The original manuscript is believed to be from a library in Bhavnagar. It consists of eleven leaves (patra), each measuring approximately 10.4" x 4.5". Each leaf contains 12 lines, with the last leaf having 4 lines. The script is described as clear and large. There are numerous errors in the manuscript. The editor had to rely on other works and dictionaries, or use estimation, to transcribe many words.

The author of this manuscript, who is likely also the author of the work, is identified as Muni Rishirupa. The work was written for the perusal of Sadhvi Savira. No information about the author/composer or the date of writing is available. However, based on the writing style, manuscript size, and word selection, it is estimated that this manuscript was written in the seventeenth century.

Content Overview of the Word List:

The latter part of the document provides an extensive list of Gujarati vernacular words paired with their Sanskrit equivalents. This list covers a vast range of vocabulary, including:

• Adverbs and Temporal Markers: Words indicating time (today, yesterday, tomorrow, now, then, when, where, how, etc.).
• Quantifiers and Intensifiers: Words for number, frequency, and degree (one, two, three times, hundred times, many times, very, etc.).
• Prepositions and Conjunctions: Words like 'from', 'without', 'like', 'and', 'if', 'then', 'because', etc.
• Nouns related to:
  • Body Parts: Head, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hands, feet, etc.
  • Family Members: Father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, etc.
  • Animals: Cows, horses, elephants, lions, tigers, snakes, birds, insects, etc.
  • Plants and Trees: Various types of trees, fruits, grains, vegetables, etc.
  • Food and Drink: Rice, lentils, milk, yogurt, ghee, sweets, water, etc.
  • Household Objects and Furniture: Beds, seats, pots, doors, windows, clothes, ornaments, tools, writing implements, etc.
  • Abstract Concepts: Emotions (joy, sorrow, anger), qualities (good, bad, beautiful, ugly), actions (writing, reading, speaking, eating), time periods, religious concepts, etc.
  • Directions and Locations: East, west, north, south, sky, earth, mountains, rivers, seas, cities, villages, etc.
  • Numbers: From one to a hundred, and beyond.
  • Caste and Professions: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, doctor, goldsmith, potter, weaver, etc.
  • Conditions and Diseases: Hunger, thirst, sickness, blindness, lameness, etc.
• Verbs: A significant section lists past participles of verbs, imperative verbs, verbal nouns, and participles, along with their Sanskrit counterparts. This section demonstrates how vernacular verbs are transformed into Sanskrit.
• Grammatical Concepts: The text also touches upon grammatical concepts like the different types of agents (Karta), types of objects (Karma), means (Karana), recipient (Sampradana), source (Apādāna), and location (Adhikarana).

Concluding Remarks:

The book concludes with the phrase "Iti Shabda Sanskar" (Thus ends Shabda Sanskar). It also includes a colophon indicating it was written by Rishirupa for Sadhvi Savira. The text ends with a brief note on intransitive and transitive verbs and the classification of agents.

In essence, "Shabda Sanskar" is a valuable linguistic and literary resource that bridges the gap between spoken vernacular languages and classical Sanskrit, providing essential etymological and translational information for scholars and enthusiasts of Jain literature and ancient Indian languages.