Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study)
by A. Yamuna Devi | 2012 | 77,297 words | ISBN-13: 9788193658048
This page relates ‘Introduction (Kshirasvamin’s knowledge of grammar)’ 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.
Introduction (Kṣīrasvāmin’s knowledge of grammar)
The study of Amarakośa reveals the influence of Pāṇini on the text. Amarakośa is the most celebrated and authoritative ancient lexicon in Sanskrit language. The knowledge of Amarakośa is an essential requisite for a sanskrit scholar.
It is because of this, that Amarakośa is considered sanātana (perpetual or most-ancient), as the oft-quoted adage reads–
Amarasiṃha is hailed not only as a lexicographer but also as a grammarian of great merit.
An unknown popular verse, recognising his greatness as a grammarian places him among the eight ancient well-known grammarians–Indra, Candra, Kāśakṛtsna, Āpiśali, Pāṇini and Amara:
indraścandraḥ kāśakṛtsnāpiśalīśākaṭāyanaḥ |
pāṇinyamarajainendrā jayantyaṣṭau ca śābdikāḥ ||
None could pay a better tribute to Amarasiṃha's mastery of the grammar of Pāṇini than another wellknown humorous saying which declares that he had robbed all the ‘authoritative interpretations’ of Patañjali's Mahābhāṣya–
āmarasiṃho hi pāpīyāṃsarvaṃ bhāṣyamacūcurat |
Again the popular statement–
āṣṭādhyāyī jaganmātāmarakoṣo jagatpitā |
Suggests that Aṣṭādhyāyī and Amarakośa are complementary to each other. Knowing one helps in the understanding of the other; and to master Sanskrit language, the mastery of both becomes imperative. Such being the greatness of Amarakośa, it warrants the commentator to be well versed especially in the science of grammar. Liṅgayasūrin, acclaims Kṣīrasvāmin as “padavākyapramāṇajña” in the preamble to his commentary.
Starting from the prelude given by Amarasiṃha, Kṣīrasvāmin's in depth knowledge of grammar is evident throughout. In some places where Amarakośa is not grammatically clear or ambiguous, Kṣīrasvāmin explains the terms citing examples. Kṣīrasvāmin further draws information from other grammar schools and traditions and records their views also wherever necessary.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
medinyamaramālā ca trikāṇḍo ratnamālikā |
rantidevo bhāguriśca vyāḍiḥ śabdārṇavastathā ||
dvirūpaśca kaliṅgaśca rabhasaḥ puruṣottamaḥ |
durgobhidhānamālā ca saṃsārāvartaśāśvatau ||
viśvo vopālitaścaiva vācaspati halāyudhau |
hārāvalī sāhasāṅko vikramāditya eva ca ||
hemacandraśca rudraścāpyamaro'yaṃ sanātanaḥ |
ete kośāḥ samākhyātāḥ saṃkhyā ṣaḍviṃśatiḥ smṛtā ||