Verbal Forms in the Rigveda: Mandala VI (An Old and Rare Book)

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1. BACKGROUND

It is claimed by many modern scholars that no language of the past or the present has been so perfectly and systematically recorded as Sanskrit has been by Panini in his Astadhyayi. The validity of this statement with reference to the Vedic language has, however, not been critically examined, since Panini's rules have not so far been strictly applied to sufficiently extensive Vedic data, for a definite conclusion, one way or the other, being arrived at. Nevertheless, it is admitted that the main aim of Panini's grammar is the description of the spoken language as also the archaic language of the Sacred Texts (Veda). Panini's grammar describes the Vedic language in its several aspects. Thus, this grammar.

(i) determines the accentuation of Vedic forms;

(ii) describes the phonological peculiarities of Vedic forms;

(iii) analyses the morphological features of Vedic forms;

(iv) occasionally presents the list of finished words (Nipatanas);

(v) mentions the meaning of Vedic forms in connection with particular accents, or particular phonological or morphological features, and,

(vi) notices the features of Vedic syntax.

The application of Panini's rules for Vedic exegesis falls into two broad categories: (i) formal analysis of the Vedic language; and (ii) interpretation of the Vedic language.

2. AIM OF THE PROJECT

This project envisages a detailed grammatical study of verbal forms from the Rigveda. To start with, Mandala VI has been chosen and the observations are based on the results which have emerged from the study of the verbal forms occurring in this Mandala. The verbal system occupies an important place in the structure of the Sanskrit language, and hence the selection of this topic. There is no reason why the observations should not apply, with a due margin for the probable individual peculiarities, to the other Mandalas also. Further, in a sense, this can be a precursor to an entire grammatical study of the Rigveda. It will also greatly facilitate the exegesis of the Veda, clearly defining the extent to which Panini is helpful in that respect. Although it may not give revolutionary insights in the Vedic interpretation, it may improve upon our knowledge of Panini, because, having the Vedic data before us, we may be able occasionally to interpret Pasini's rules better.

3. METHOD

First, verbs are recorded together with full reference and with the paraphrase given by Sayaua, which normally informs us about the root form, tense, mood, etc. Forms are described following both the methods the traditional one based on Panini's rules and the modern one as given in WurTNEY's Sanskrit Grammar and in MACDONELL'S Vedic Grammar. For the explanation of difficult forms the full prakriya is given, strictly utilising Panini's rules. Subsequently, the accentuation of forms is fully explained, with strict reference to Pavini's rules. Finally, it has been clearly pointed out whether Panini's rules can adequately describe the particular form or not. No attempt, however, has been made to harmonize the two methods, as they are fundamentally different. Our detailed observations on Panini's treatment of verbal forms in general and Vedic ones in particular, and on the limitations of Panini's usefulness for Vedic interpretation are fully given in pages 225-260 in the Section II: OBSERVATIONS, solely devoted to that purpose. Their repetition here is therefore avoided.

I have to record here my sincere thanks to my collaborators in the CASS, particularly to Dr. S. D. Laddu and Dr. (Mrs.) Saroja Bhate who have helped me greatly in the different stages of the execution of this project, such as compiling the data, checking, preparing the Indices, correcting proofs and a lot of other items of work. Indeed without their (particularly Mrs. Bhate's) efficient and ready co-operation it would have been difficult to see this undertaking through. I must also mention services rendered in ways more than one by Dr. Pratibha Gokhale. It is hardly necessary for me to say that the successful completion of this project owes, in no small degree, to the inspiration given and the interest evinced throughout by Dr. S. D. Joshi, the Director of the CASS. Lastly, I must not forget the University Press which has printed neatly this work of a complicated and technical nature.