Shabdastom Mahanidhi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shabdastom Mahanidhi" (शब्दस्तोममहानिधि), based on the provided text snippets:

Book Title: Shabdastom Mahanidhi (शब्दस्तोममहानिधि) Author(s): Calcutta Sanskrit Vidyamandir (कलकत्ता-संस्कृतविद्यामन्दिराध्यक्ष) Publisher: Calcutta Sanskrit Vidyamandir (कलिकाता-संस्कृतविद्यामन्दिराध्यक्ष) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/020666/1

Overall Summary:

The "Shabdastom Mahanidhi" is a monumental Sanskrit lexicon, compiled and researched by the Calcutta Sanskrit Vidyamandir. It aims to be a comprehensive dictionary of Sanskrit words, providing their meanings, grammatical classifications, and etymological derivations. The text appears to be an extensive and detailed resource for understanding the vast vocabulary of the Sanskrit language, likely including its application within Jain tradition and philosophy, given the context of its distribution.

Key Features and Content:

1. Lexicographical Approach: The book functions as a Sanskrit-to-Sanskrit dictionary (संस्कृताभिधानम्). It systematically lists words, providing their meanings and often elaborating on nuances and alternative usages.

2. Grammatical and Etymological Information:

   • Gender and Declension: The text indicates the grammatical gender (पु. पुलिङ्गः, स्त्री० स्त्रीलिङ्गः, न. नपुसकलिङ्गः) and often includes information about case endings and grammatical forms.
   • Root and Derivation: It frequently shows the verbal root (e.g., "अन्ज-ड," "अंश-खुल्") and the suffixes or derivations used to form the word (e.g., "-अच्", "-खुल्", "-लच्", "-णिनि", "-क"). This provides insight into word formation and meaning.
   • Affixes and Modifications: References to grammatical rules and exceptions are sometimes present (e.g., "शकन्चादित्वात्पररूपम्", "निपातनात्").
   • Compound Words (Samasa): The text identifies various types of Sanskrit compounds, such as Tatpurusha (तत्पुरुषः), Upamita (उपमितसमासः), Bahuvrihi (बहुव्रीहिः), and Avyayibhava (अव्ययीभावः), with specific subtypes indicated (e.g., षष्ठीतत्पुरुषः, नञ्बहुव्रीहिः).
   • Verbal Roots (Dhatu): It categorizes words based on their verbal roots and grammatical classes (e.g., रुधा० for Rudhadhi, तुदा० for Tudadi, भ्वादिगणीयः for Bhuadi group).

3. Scope of Vocabulary: The snippets reveal an incredibly wide range of vocabulary, covering:

   • Common Nouns: Words for everyday objects, body parts, actions, and concepts (e.g., अंश - part, स्कन्ध - shoulder, किरण - ray, वस्त्र - cloth, गृह - house).
   • Abstract Concepts: Words related to philosophy, religion, and ethics (e.g., धर्म - duty/righteousness, मोक्ष - liberation, ज्ञान - knowledge, माया - illusion, पुण्य - merit, पाप - sin).
   • Mythological and Religious Figures: References to deities, sages, and characters from scriptures (e.g., विष्णु, शिव, ब्रह्मा, अगस्त्य, नारद, इन्द्र, राम, कृष्ण, महावीर).
   • Flora and Fauna: Names of plants, trees, and animals (e.g., पीपल, वट, नीम, सिंह, गज, अश्व, सर्प, पक्षी).
   • Geographical Terms: Names of places, regions, mountains, and rivers (e.g., स्वर्ग, नरक, पाताल, विन्ध्याचल, गङ्गा, यमुना, काशी, कुरुक्षेत्र, भारतवर्ष).
   • Grammatical Terms: As indicated in the early pages, the lexicon defines and categorizes grammatical concepts.
   • Jain Context (Implied): While not explicitly detailed in the provided snippets, the distribution by "Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra" suggests a particular focus or relevance to Jainism, potentially including Jain terminology or philosophical concepts.

4. Format: The lexicon is presented in a structured manner, with each entry providing the word, its grammatical classification, and its meaning. The use of Sanskrit script throughout is standard for such works.

5. Second Edition: The text indicates it is a "Second Edition" (द्वितीय संस्करणम्), suggesting established value and wider dissemination.

In essence, the "Shabdastom Mahanidhi" is a comprehensive and authoritative Sanskrit dictionary, meticulously compiled to cover a vast spectrum of the language, enriched with grammatical and etymological details. It serves as a valuable tool for scholars, students, and anyone seeking a deep understanding of Sanskrit vocabulary.