Ashtadhyayi - A brief

Introduction

• This section delves into how syntax is developed and how to make sense of form and sound in language.
• The earliest known approach to this is Panini's work, a grammarian from the 6th Century BCE (approximately 2800 years ago).

Panini and Aşțādhyāyi

• Panini's work serves as a great way to understand the Indian contribution to linguistics.

• Aşțādhyāyi:

  • Created by Panini.
  • "Ashta" means eight, and "adhyaya" means chapter.
  • The work consists of eight chapters.

• Panini's work is the culmination of a long grammatical tradition.

Panini's Approach

• Panini did not invent a language from scratch; he reverse-engineered it for easy understanding and logical approach to Sanskrit.

• He observed the existing language use and patterns to frame proper rules of grammer.

• 3983 Rules (Sutras):

  • Panini wrote 3983 rules, known as Sutras.
  • These rules were designed to accommodate the patterns and variations in the Sanskrit language.
  • He fitted these patterns using the rules.

Structure of Aşțādhyāyi

• The 3983 rules are arranged into 8 chapters.
• Each chapter is further divided into 4 quarters.
• 8 chapters x 4 quarters = 32 sections.

Samskritam (Sanskrit)

• Panini's work (Ashtadhyayi) refines and structures the language.
• Samskritam means "refined."
• Sanskrit is considered a very refined language.
• The Ashtadhyayi is viewed as the best available descriptive model of a language.

Later Commentaries

• Katyayana's Varttika:

  • Composed about 200-250 years after Panini.
  • Varttika means commentary.
  • Commentary on Panini's work.
  • Addressed loose ends and clarified Panini's work.
  • Provided additional notes.

• Patanjali's Mahabhashya:

  • Commentary on the Ashtadhyayi.
  • Created in the 2nd Century BCE (another 200 years later).
  • "Bhashya" means commentary, and "Mahabhashya" means great commentary.
  • Katyayana's Varttika and Patanjali's Mahabhashya, together with Ashtadhyayi, provide a basis for understanding the science behind the Sanskrit language.

Distinguishing Aspects of Panini's Grammar

• Complete Vocabulary:

  • The entire vocabulary of the Sanskrit language can be generated using the 3983 rules (approximately 99.9%).

• Handling Exceptions:

  • Special handling for the few exceptions.

• Sutras (Aphorisms):

  • The rules are known as Sutras (aphorisms).
  • Easy to memorize.
  • Concise.
  • Provide crisp rules.

• Mastery of Sanskrit:

  • Familiarity with the rules leads to an unambiguous mastery of the Sanskrit language.
  • One effectively becomes a "walking Sanskrit language" without needing dictionaries or thesauruses, once a person masters these sutras or rules.

Educational System and Sanskrit Mastery

• The traditional Indian education system (until the 19th century CE) ensured students mastered this language.
• Introduction of the Macaulay system of education resulted in a discontinuity.

Rule-Based Processing and Word Generation

• Language processing and word generation in Sanskrit are strictly rule-based and derivative.

• Similar to a mathematical equation: entire words can be derived through rules.

• Computer-Driven Methodology:

  • Suitable for computer-driven methodologies.
  • Few additional assumptions are required.

Distinguishing Aspects of Panini

• Word derivation uses a step-by-step process.
• Modular approach to word generation.

Word Formation

• Involves combining basic components:

  • Verbal root or nominal stem.
  • Adding suffixes.
  • Invoking rules.
  • The process results in a valid word.

• Unique, algorithmic approach.

• Vocabulary is not fixed.

• New words can be generated as long as the rules are not violated.

Panini's Work: Data Structures and Computational Elements

• Panini deployed interesting data structures and computational elements.
• This makes his work unique among linguistic studies.

Vedanga and Panini

• Vyakarana or grammer is one of the Vedangas, or the limbs to understand the Vedas.
• Panini's work puts together grammatical ideas.