Niruktipratisamvid, Niruktipratisaṃvid, Nirukti-pratisamvid: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Niruktipratisamvid means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Niruktipratisamvid in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Niruktipratisaṃvid (निरुक्तिप्रतिसंविद्) refers to the “knowledge of vocal expression” and represents one of the four “unhindered knowledges” (pratisaṃvid), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XL. Accordingly, nirukti-pratisaṃvid refers to “knowledge of vocal expression (vāc, adhivacana). It is not enough to know the word in abstracto, but it is also necessary to express it with the appropriate number (singular, dual, or plural), gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and case, taking account of its etymology. All of this varies according to the language used so that, considering everything, nirukti-pratisaṃvid is none other than the knowledge of languages”.

Mahayana book cover
context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Discover the meaning of niruktipratisamvid in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Niruktipratisamvid in Buddhism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Niruktipratisaṃvid (निरुक्तिप्रतिसंविद्) or simply Nirukti refers to the “analytical knowledge of language” and represents one of the “four analytical knowledges” (pratisaṃvid) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 51). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., nirukti-pratisaṃvid). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

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