Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study)
by A. Yamuna Devi | 2012 | 77,297 words | ISBN-13: 9788193658048
This page relates ‘Education (3): Knowledge’ of the study on the Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (in English) which represents a commentary on the Amarakosha of Amarasimha. These ancient texts belong the Kosha or “lexicography” category of Sanskrit literature which deals with the analysis and meaning of technical words from a variety of subjects, such as cosmology, anatomy, medicine, hygiene. The Amarakosa itself is one of the earliest of such text, dating from the 6th century A.D., while the Amarakoshodghatana is the earliest known commentary on that work.
Education (3): Knowledge
(a) Upajñā (II. 7. 13; p. 165)–
[New knowledge promulgated:]
The knowledge presented for the first time is termed upajñā and Kṣīrasvāmin cites Cāndravyākaraṇa the system of grammar first enumerated by Candra, as example,–
upajñāyata ityupajñā idaṃ | prathamatayā jñānaṃ | candrasyopajñā candropajñamasaṃjñakaṃ vyākaraṇam |
(b) Upākaraṇa (II. 7. 40; p. 171)–
[Initiation into Vedic learning:]
Amarakośa mentions that the students were ritually initiated b y certain rites b efore the imparting of Vedic knowledge and this was called upākaraṇa.
Kṣīrasvāmin reads the word as upākarma and also adds that it was particularly done in the asterism of Rohiṇī[1] –
upākriyate'nenetyupākarma vedapāṭhārambhe viśiṣṭo vidhiḥ rohiṇyāṃ chandāṃsyupākuryāditi hi śrutiḥ |
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
It is a general practice even today that every year the upākarma is done for renewing the sacred thread as also refreshing the Vedic knowledge. It is to be noted that this is done in the śravaṇa asterism according to Āśvalāyana gṛhya sūtra–III. 5. 14.