Siddhahemshabdanushasana Part 2 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Siddhahemshabdanushasana Part 2" by Bechardas Doshi, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Siddhahemshabdanushasana Part 2 Author: Bechardas Doshi Publisher: University Granth Nirman Board, Gujarat State

Overall Purpose: This book is the second volume of a comprehensive grammatical work on Sanskrit and Prakrit languages, compiled and commented upon by Pandit Bechardas Jivaraj Doshi. It is published by the University Granth Nirman Board, Gujarat State, under a scheme supported by the Government of India for promoting literature in regional languages. The stated aim is to provide university-level textbooks and reference materials. This volume specifically focuses on Chapters 5 to 7 of Acharya Hemachandra Suri's original work, along with the Dhātu Pāṭha (Root Glossary).

Content Summary:

Volume Structure: The publication is divided into three volumes for ease of reading due to its size. This volume, Part 2, covers Chapters 5 through 7 and the Dhātu Pāṭha. Part 1 covered Chapters 1-4, and Part 3 covers Chapter 8 (Prakrit grammar).
Chapters 5-7 (Sanskrit Grammar): These chapters delve into various aspects of Sanskrit grammar, building upon the foundational chapters in Part 1. The summary within the "Prastavana" (Introduction) and "Vishayanukram Vishe Vaktavya" (Table of Contents) indicates the following key areas covered:
- Chapter 5 (Kṛdanta Prakaraṇa - Verbal Derivatives): This chapter focuses on the formation of nouns and other words from verbal roots. It details the application of various suffixes (pratyayas) to verb roots (dhātus) to indicate different meanings such as agent, object, instrument, etc. It also discusses the nuances of specific suffixes like uṇādi (though the laghuvṛtti only provides a single sutra for it, mentioning that the bṛhadvṛtti contains the full chapter of 1006 sutras). The summary details the specific suffixes and their associated meanings covered in Chapters 5, 6, and 7, including:
  - Chapter 5: Focuses on kṛt suffixes that form nouns from verbs, indicating the agent, object, instrument, and other cases. It also touches upon the flexibility of these suffixes in indicating different meanings.
  - Chapter 6: Deals with taddhita suffixes, which are applied to existing nouns to form new nouns, often indicating possession, relation, or characteristic. This chapter covers a wide range of taddhita suffixes like aṇ, iñ, ñya, aṇc, ikaṇ, etc., and their application in forming words related to lineage (apatya), youth (yuvā), dwelling (nivāsa), origin (janma), relation, and more.
  - Chapter 7: Continues the discussion of taddhita suffixes, focusing on those derived from place names (deśa), those related to the concept of "being" or "residing" (vasati), and various other specific rules for forming derived words, often with exceptions and nuances. It also touches upon grammatical concepts like samāsa (compounds) and the application of suffixes based on the context of actions, time, and relationships.
- Dhātu Pāṭha (Root Glossary): This section of the book is crucial for understanding verb conjugation and word formation. It lists Sanskrit verb roots (dhātus) along with their meanings and, in some cases, their grammatical implications or associated suffixes. The provided pages offer a glimpse into the extensive nature of this glossary, listing roots and their varied meanings, often with grammatical notes and examples. Pandit Bechardas Doshi's role as editor, translator, and commentator is highlighted, indicating that the book includes his insights and explanations.
Commentary and Translation: Pandit Bechardas Doshi has not only edited the text but also provided a translation and commentary (vivēcan). The introduction states that while the book primarily presents the original sutras, the vr̥tti (commentary), and their translation, there are instances of commentary (vivēcan) where needed.
Page Count: The total page count for the entire work is 1829 pages, with Part 2 comprising 533 pages. Sanskrit grammar covers 1318 pages, while Prakrit, Sauraseni, Magadhi, Paishachi, and Apabhramsha grammars are covered in 511 pages (likely in Part 3).
Linguistic Significance: The book emphasizes the historical and comparative linguistic value of studying these ancient grammars, particularly the grammar of Apabhramsha, for understanding the evolution of modern Indian languages like Gujarati, Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi. It also highlights how the grammatical analysis can shed light on the origins and historical usage of words in contemporary languages, as illustrated by the examples of "dada," "papa," and "karayāṇu."

Key Features and Contributions Highlighted:

Comprehensive Nature: The work aims to cover Acharya Hemachandra Suri's complete eight-chapter grammar.
Scholarly Editing: Pandit Bechardas Doshi's expertise as a known scholar in the field is acknowledged, suggesting a high-quality editorial and analytical contribution.
Accessibility: The publication is part of a government initiative to make university-level knowledge accessible in regional languages, making this profound grammatical work available to a wider audience.
Focus on Derivations: The summary emphasizes the detailed exploration of how words are derived from roots (dhātu) and from existing nouns (taddhita), providing a deep understanding of Sanskrit word formation.
Historical Linguistic Insight: The commentary by Pandit Doshi likely offers valuable insights into the historical development of Sanskrit grammar and its connection to Prakrit and other Indian languages.
Praise for the Publisher: The publisher, University Granth Nirman Board, is commended for its role in making this important work accessible to students and scholars.

In essence, "Siddhahemshabdanushasana Part 2" is a significant academic publication that provides a detailed exploration of Sanskrit grammar, focusing on verbal derivatives (kṛdanta) and noun derivatives (taddhita), as authored by Acharya Hemachandra Suri and meticulously edited, translated, and commented upon by Pandit Bechardas Doshi. It serves as a vital resource for students and researchers of Sanskrit and historical linguistics.