Pāṇini, the Grammarian

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Madhav Deshpande

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May 15, 2021, 8:30:40 AM5/15/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

अविदित्वा सूत्रार्थं विवदन्ते येऽबुधा: मुधा सदसि ।
पाणिनिरवलोक्यैतान् हाहेति निराशया प्राह ।।

Watching the unlearned who, not knowing the purport of his rules, in vain dispute in an assembly, Pāṇini, losing his hope, said “Alas, Alas.”

Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

Madhav Deshpande

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May 16, 2021, 8:44:02 AM5/16/21
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Pāṇini the Grammarian

सिंहेन खाद्यमानोऽसौ “अ अ” इत्युक्तवान् ऋषि: ।
तदेव पाणिनेरन्त्यं मन्यन्ते वचनं बुधा: ।।

While being eaten up by a lion, the sage said “a a.” The learned think that this is the last utterance of Pāṇini.

Madhav Deshpande

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May 17, 2021, 8:38:42 AM5/17/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

जग्रसे पाणिनिं सिंहस्तस्य व्याकरणं न स: ।

जयन्त्यद्यापि सूत्राणि पाणिनीयानि भूतले ।।


A lion devoured Pāini, but not his grammar. His grammatical rules are victorious in the world even today.

Madhav Deshpande

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May 18, 2021, 8:26:22 AM5/18/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

पाणिनिं ग्रसमानोऽपि नाष्टाध्यायीं स जग्रसे ।
गर्जन्त्यद्यापि सूत्राणि सिंहकण्ठाद् दिने दिने ।।

While devouring Pāṇini, the lion could not swallow his grammar in eight chapters. Even now, Pāṇini’s rules roar from the throat of that lion every day.

Kushagra Aniket

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May 18, 2021, 12:34:06 PM5/18/21
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केवलं मनोरञ्जनाय

नाष्टाध्यायी कथं नष्टा हते सिंहेन पाणिनौ।
अदृष्टा कष्टदा नः सा दृष्टायां हा हताः वयम्॥

How was the Ashtadhyayi not destroyed when the lion devoured Panini? Even while invisible, she (Ashtadhyayi) is a cause of pain to us. Should she become visible, we’d be finished!

Kushagra Aniket
Cornell University'15


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Madhav Deshpande

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May 18, 2021, 3:19:43 PM5/18/21
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Dear Kushagra Ji,

अपठन्तो हता: केचित् पठन्तोऽपि हता: परे ।
को गुण: पाणिने: शास्त्रे येन सर्वे हता वयम् ।।
  
Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

Madhav Deshpande

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May 19, 2021, 8:52:52 AM5/19/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

आगच्छन्तं हरिं दृष्ट्वा नापलायत पाणिनि: ।
विरचय्यादिमं सूत्रं प्राविशत् स हरेर्मुखम् ।।
[हरि = सिंह]

Seeing the lion approach, Pāṇini did not run away. He composed his last rule, and then entered the lion’s mouth.

Madhav Deshpande

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May 19, 2021, 9:39:45 AM5/19/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

आगच्छन्तं हरिं दृष्ट्वा नापलायत पाणिनि: ।
विरचय्यान्तिमं सूत्रं प्राविशत् स हरेर्मुखम् ।।
[हरि = सिंह]

Kushagra Aniket

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May 19, 2021, 11:23:33 AM5/19/21
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सिंहस्य प्राकृतां वाणीं संस्कर्तुं किल पाणिनिः।
प्राविशद् वदने तस्य तत्रैव रमतेऽधुना॥

(कुशाग्र)

“To refine the Prakrita tongue of the lion, the grammarian Panini entered his mouth. Today, Panini continues to reside there.”

“सिंह की प्राकृत भाषा का संस्कार करने के लिए पाणिनि ने उसके मुख में प्रवेश किया। वे आज भी वहीं रमण कर रहे हैं।”

Best,
Kushagra


Kushagra Aniket
Cornell University'15

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Nagendra Pavana

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May 20, 2021, 12:13:55 AM5/20/21
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श्रीमन्तः,
ननु 'न पलायत' इति युक्तम्।

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Madhav Deshpande

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May 20, 2021, 12:51:20 AM5/20/21
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"न अपलायत" fits Vedic/Puranic usage. The classical usage will be न पलायत. I am using an आर्ष usage to describe what a ऋषि did. Just as a poetic license. But, otherwise you are indeed right.

Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

Nagendra Pavana

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May 20, 2021, 1:00:38 AM5/20/21
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Thank you for the clarification sir.

Pranams.

Madhav Deshpande

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May 20, 2021, 8:41:35 AM5/20/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

स जग्ध्वा पाणिनिं सिंहो वैयाकरणतां गत: ।
ऊचे संस्कृतया वाचा “हन्त किं विहितं मया” ।।

Having devoured Pāṇini, that lion became a grammarian himself, and said using Sanskrit words: “Alas, what have I done.”

Kushagra

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May 20, 2021, 11:44:12 AM5/20/21
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आकर्ण्य गर्जितं घोरं सिंहस्य हतपाणिनेः।
प्रत्यक्षान्वेषणार्थं तद् वनं नैयायिको गतः॥

(कुशाग्र)

Hearing the fierce roar of the lion that killed the Panini and to investigate through direct perception (प्रत्यक्ष), the logician (नैयायिक) went into the forest.

🙏


On May 20, 2021, at 8:41 AM, Madhav Deshpande <mmd...@umich.edu> wrote:


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Madhav Deshpande

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May 21, 2021, 8:22:15 AM5/21/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि श्रुत्वातिगहने वने ।
नैयायिकोऽनुमानेन कुक्षिस्थं वेद पाणिनिम् ।।

Hearing the rules of grammar coming from the mouth of the lion in the dense forest, the logician inferred that Pāṇini was sitting in his belly.

Madhav Deshpande

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May 22, 2021, 8:25:14 AM5/22/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि श्रुत्वातिगहने वने ।
वेदान्तिनस्तदा प्राहुर्नायं सिंहो न पाणिनि: ।।

Hearing the rules of grammar coming from the mouth of the lion in the dense forest, the Vedantins said: “This is neither a lion, nor Pāṇini.”

Madhav Deshpande

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May 23, 2021, 8:31:01 AM5/23/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वापि कानने ।
प्राहुर्माध्यमिका वाचं “शून्यात् शून्यमुदच्यते” ।।

Even after hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, the Mādhyamika Buddhist said: “Emptiness is arising out of emptiness.”

Neeraj Bhargava

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May 23, 2021, 1:54:00 PM5/23/21
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माध्यमिकाम् इति भवेत्

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Sivasenani Nori

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May 23, 2021, 9:00:45 PM5/23/21
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अत्र प्राहुः माध्यमिकाः वाचम् इति विसन्धिः। माध्यमिकाः नाम शून्यवादिनः बौद्धाः ये आचार्यस्य नागार्जुनस्य मूलमध्यमककारिकाः अनुसरन्ति। श्लोके माध्यमिकाः इति शब्दः कर्तृत्वेन युज्यते एव। 

Madhav Deshpande

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May 23, 2021, 9:09:44 PM5/23/21
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प्राहु: इत्यत्र कर्तृत्वेनैव माध्यमिका: इति शब्दो मया प्रयुक्त: ।

Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

Madhav Deshpande

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May 24, 2021, 8:38:28 AM5/24/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वापि कानने ।
अन्ये बौद्धास्तदा प्राहु: “इदमाकाशभाषितम्” ।।

Even after hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, other Buddhists said: “This is just some sound arising from the empty sky.”

Madhav Deshpande

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May 25, 2021, 8:26:10 AM5/25/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वापि कानने ।
प्रमाणं वक्ति चार्वाको ध्वनिमात्रस्य केवलम् ।।

Even after hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, the Materialist Cārvāka says that there is proof only for the existence of the sound.

Madhav Deshpande

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May 26, 2021, 8:29:29 AM5/26/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वापि कानने ।
गीतातत्त्वविद: प्राहु: “नायं हन्ति न हन्यते” ।।

Even after hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, the scholars of the Bhagavad Gita said: “He does not kill, nor can He be killed.”

Madhav Deshpande

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May 27, 2021, 8:46:00 AM5/27/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वापि कानने ।
“सन्ति भूतानि भूतेषु” प्रोक्तं साङ्ख्यैरिदं वच: ।।

Even after hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, the scholars of the Sāṃkhya philosophy said: “The elements of matter are simply resting in other elements of matter.”

Madhav Deshpande

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May 28, 2021, 8:19:24 AM5/28/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात्सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वापि कानने ।

गौडपादोऽब्रवीज्जातो नैव सिंहो न पाणिनि: ।।


Even after hearing the rules of Pāini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, Gauapāda said: “Neither a lion nor Pāini were ever born.”

Madhav Deshpande

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May 29, 2021, 8:28:57 AM5/29/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वापि कानने ।
वसुबन्धुस्तदा प्राह लीलैवेयं मनोमयी ।।

Even after hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, the Buddhist Vasubandhu said that this is just a trick of our minds.”

Madhav Deshpande

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May 30, 2021, 8:39:56 AM5/30/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वापि कानने ।
मीमांसक: प्रमाणत्वे श्रुतिवाक्यान्यपेक्षते ।।

Even after hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, the Mīmāṃsaka expects to find a scriptural passage to prove it.

Madhav Deshpande

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May 31, 2021, 8:34:56 AM5/31/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वैव कानने ।
सुप्रीतो वैष्णव: प्राह नरसिंहाय ते नम: ।।

After hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, the delighted devotee of Viṣṇu said: “Salutations to you, the man-lion incarnation of Viṣṇu.”

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 1, 2021, 8:23:15 AM6/1/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वैव कानने ।
शैव: प्राह शिवस्यैव प्रसादाज्जीवितो मुनि: ।।

Just after hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, the follower of the Lord Śiva said: “The sage is still alive because of the grace of the Lord Śiva.”

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 2, 2021, 8:24:08 AM6/2/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

पाणिनि: शब्दशास्त्रं मत्प्रसादादध्यगान्मुनि: ।
रक्षितोऽसौ मयेत्याह बोधिसत्त्वोऽवलोकित: ।।

The Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara said: “The sage Pāṇini received his grammar by my grace. I have saved him?”

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 3, 2021, 8:10:32 AM6/3/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि श्रुत्वा कात्यायनोऽब्रवीत् ।
“उक्तानुक्तदुरुक्तानि शोधयिष्यामि वार्त्तिकै:” ।।

Having heard the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion, Kātyāyana said: “I will clarify what you said, did not say and your not so well formed rules with my supplemental comments.”

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 4, 2021, 8:18:50 AM6/4/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि श्रुत्वा प्राह पतञ्जलि: ।
“सहस्रेण फणानां मे कीर्तयिष्यामि ते कृतिम्” ।।

Having heard the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of a lion, Patañjali said: “I will glorify your grammar with my thousand hoods.”

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 5, 2021, 8:32:46 AM6/5/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

व्याघ्रोऽब्रूताहमेवैनं मुनिं खादितवान् वने ।
प्रवादमात्रमेवैतन्मुनि: सिंहेन खादित: ।।
अपण्डिता न जानन्ति मुने: शब्दान् मया श्रुतान् ।
व्याघ्रो व्याजिघ्रतीत्येवं खाद्यमानोऽब्रवीन्मुनि: ।।

A tiger said: “It was I who ate the sage in the forest. It is just hearsay that a lion finished him off. The unlearned do not know the words of the sage that I heard. As I was eating him up, the sage gave an etymology of the word “tiger”: “a tiger is one who sniffs.”

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 6, 2021, 8:18:07 AM6/6/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि श्रुत्वा जैनोऽब्रवीत्तदा ।
“अवक्तव्यं न वक्तव्यं न स्यात् स्याद् वेह किञ्चन” ।।

After hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion, a Jain monk said: “One should not express the inexpressible and there may or may not be anything here.”

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 7, 2021, 8:29:24 AM6/7/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वैव कानने ।
केचिद् दिगम्बरा भूत्वा पलायन्त भयात् तत: ।।

Just after hearing the rules of Pāṇini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, some became sky-clad and ran from there in fear.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 8, 2021, 8:55:29 AM6/8/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian


मुखात् सिंहस्य सूत्राणि मुने: श्रुत्वैव कानने ।

आजीविका अकम्पन्त जीविताशङ्कया भृशम् ।।


Just by hearing the rules of Pāini coming from the mouth of the lion in the forest, the mendicants shook wildly with fear for their lives.

Sivasenani Nori

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Jun 8, 2021, 9:36:48 AM6/8/21
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This poem by the kavi-pandita Prof. Deshpande might be a good starting point for a discussion of Ajivikas, who are usually not much discussed. Though they are classified as Atheists by those use English, the label daishTika (fatalists) may be more suited for them. The sutra of Panini अस्ति नास्ति दिष्टं मतिः। clearly shows that in ancient India, there was a three-fold classification of darSanas, not a two-fold classification. Who were the other daishTikas? 

I will post links to works about Ajivikas later in this thread. 

Regards 
Senani

PS; This new series by Prof Deshpande seems to draw inspiration from Bhartrihari who accomodates all systems of thought in his exposition of Sabdabrahman and the legendary Naiyayika (and critic of Bhartrihari) Jayanta Bhatta who harmonized all the systems in his play AgamaaDambara. Or, may be, one sees in a work, what one thinks about at that moment in time. At least, this series at this stage reminds me of those two works. 

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Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 8, 2021, 10:19:48 AM6/8/21
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Dear Senani Ji,

The two comprehensive works on the आजीविक sects are:


and


and a recent article by Johannes Bronkhorst


The Ājīvika sects were active during the same period as the rise of Jainism and Buddhism, and the successor of Ashoka donated a cave to the Ājīvikas. Here is a link to the Barabar caves:


Best regards,

Madhav M. Deshpande 
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

Sivasenani Nori

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Jun 8, 2021, 10:03:36 PM6/8/21
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Thank you, Sir.

For those interested, both books are available on www.archive.org as well. B. M. Barua; https://archive.org/details/ajivikas00barurich/mode/2up and Basham: https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.2179/mode/2up  


It may be noted that Ajivikas are mentioned in both Manimekhalai and Silappadikaram, either as not distinguishable from Jainas or as a branch of Jainas. So old South Indian texts might throw some more light.

Additionally, the Tattvopaplavasimha by Jayarasi Bhatta (https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.277488/page/n1/mode/2up, English translation by Esther Solomon: https://archive.org/details/TattvaUpaplavaSimhaOfJayarsasiEstherSolomanSchuchitaMehtaParimalaPublications/mode/2up) could be useful, as it is the only ancient source which presents the viewpoint of the 'Other' sympathetically. Though it is seen mainly as representing the Carvaka school, others have argued using textual evidence that he is not a Carvaka.

All the above sources clearly describe the Ajivikas as fatalists; yet, we persist in calling them nAstikas. They should be properly referred to as daishTikas, I think. And the other question remains: who were the other daishTikas?

Regards
Senani


Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 9, 2021, 8:21:20 AM6/9/21
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Pāṇīni, the Grammarian

केचित् पाणिनिशिष्यास्तु स्वीयस्यादर्शनाद् गुरो: ।
गर्जनं यत्र सूत्राणां तत्रैव तरसागमन् ।।

Some disciples of Pāṇini, not seeing their teacher, speedily went in the direction of the coming roar of the rules of grammar.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 9, 2021, 8:25:58 AM6/9/21
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Dear Senani Ji,

     Thank you for these additional links. Best regards,

Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 10, 2021, 8:32:45 AM6/10/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

अपश्यन्तो गुरुं तत्र पश्यन्तश्च महाहरिम् ।
केचिद् भीत्या पलायन्त केचिच्च रुरुदुर्भृशम् ।।

Not seeing their teacher Pāṇini there and seeing a giant lion, some disciples ran away in fear, while some cried profusely.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 11, 2021, 8:38:49 AM6/11/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

“परिधाय हरेश्चर्म मुनिरेवात्र सीदति” ।
इत्युक्त्वा चपला: केचित् परितस्तमुपाविशन् ।।

Some clever students said that this is just the sage sitting here covering himself with the hide of a lion and they sat around him.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 12, 2021, 8:18:06 AM6/12/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

सिंहोदरगतो वाचं पाणिनिर्मुनिरब्रवीत् ।
“मा भैषी: सिंह ते वाचा ब्रूयां व्याकरणं मम ।”

Pāṇini, the sage, now sitting in the lion’s belly said: “O lion, don’t be afraid. I will speak my grammar in your voice.”

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 13, 2021, 8:20:44 AM6/13/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

उदरं हरे: प्रविष्टो न जहाति मुनिस्तथापि कारुण्यम् ।
उदराद् हरिमेवैनं व्याकरणं पाठयामास ।।

Having reached the belly of the lion, the sage still did not abandon his compassion. From the belly, he taught that lion his entire grammatical science.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 14, 2021, 8:35:13 AM6/14/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

सिंहोदरे स्थितोऽसौ निर्भीक: पाणिनिर्मुनिर्नित्यम् ।
डमरुनिनादं कुर्वन् सिंहास्येन प्रवक्ति निजशास्त्रम् ।।

Sitting fearlessly in the belly of the lion, Pāṇini the sage always plays his drum and speaks his grammatical science in the voice of the lion.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 15, 2021, 8:28:45 AM6/15/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैर्यदा सूत्राणि भाषते ।
पाणिनि: सिंहरूपोऽसावखिलं विस्मितं जगत् ।।

Roaring a lion-roar, when Pāṇini appearing as a lion speaks his rules, the whole world is astonished.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 16, 2021, 8:25:03 AM6/16/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

अदर्शनं न लोपोऽस्य मुनिसिंहस्य वर्तते ।
जीवत्येव न लुप्तोऽसावद्यापि मम मानसे ।।

Invisibility of this lion among the sages does not reflect a loss. He is still alive today in my mind. He did not perish.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 17, 2021, 8:39:23 AM6/17/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

भारत्या सोऽशरीरिण्या करोत्याकाशभाषितम् ।
पाणिनिर्मुनिसिंहो मेऽजस्रं गर्जति मानसे ।।

Speaking through the sky with a voice without a physical body, Pāṇini, the lion among sages, always roars in my mind.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 18, 2021, 8:24:50 AM6/18/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

नमस्ते मुनिसिंहाय सरस्वत्या: पदानि य: ।
बबन्ध सूत्रजालेन न सा क्वापि स्खलिष्यति ।।

O lion among the sages, salutations to you. You tied down the feet [words] of Sarasvati, the goddess of speech, with your strings [rules]. She will not stumble anywhere.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 19, 2021, 8:41:50 AM6/19/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

सरस्वत्यै गिरां देव्यै यो ददौ स्थिरमासनम् ।
आशीर्भिरष्टभिर्यस्य वृद्धिर्मे नौमि तं मुनिम् ।।

The sage Pāṇini gave a firm seat to Sarasvati, the goddess of speech, and I prosper with his eight blessings. I offer my salutations to that sage.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 20, 2021, 8:30:32 AM6/20/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

ननर्त ताण्डवं रुद्र: प्रसन्नस्तपसा तव ।
डमरोर्नदतस्तस्य लब्धं व्याकरणं त्वया ।।

Pleased with your penance, the Lord Shiva danced his Tandava dance, and from his resounding Damaru drum you received your grammar.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 21, 2021, 8:52:54 AM6/21/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

आर्यावर्ते वसन्तोऽपि शिष्टा: शृण्वन्ति नित्यश: ।
शलातुरात् मुनेस्तस्य पाणिने: सिंहगर्जनम् ।।

The elite speakers of Sanskrit, even the ones living in the region of Aryavarta, always hear the lion roar of the sage Pāṇini coming from the town of Śalātura.

Mārcis Gasūns

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Jun 21, 2021, 11:12:19 AM6/21/21
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Made me lough loudly, it reminds me of some Russian story that was about how Leo Tolstoy loved children - just in the same style written. 

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 21, 2021, 12:28:30 PM6/21/21
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Thanks, Marcis. Having some fun with Pāṇini, which is otherwise always a very serious subject for me.

Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

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Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 22, 2021, 8:44:50 AM6/22/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

सिंहेषु मुनिरेवायं सिंहोऽयं च मुनिष्वपि ।
तस्माद् व्याकरणं तस्य जगत्यद्यापि गर्जति ।।

Pāṇini is a sage among lions and a lion among sages. Therefore, his grammar continues to roar in the world till today.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 24, 2021, 8:23:18 AM6/24/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

प्रायेण शिथिलायन्ते वृद्धानां सर्वसन्धय: ।
वृद्धत्वान्मोक्तुमात्मानं विवेशास्यं हरेर्मुनि: ।।

All joints become loose for the aging folks. Knowing this, to free himself from the old age, Pāṇini the sage entered the jaws of a lion.

[sandhi = joints between words / body parts]

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 25, 2021, 8:35:42 AM6/25/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

इको यणचिना कोऽर्थो मुमुक्षोर्मम वार्धके।
इति मत्या मुनिर्भक्त्या श्रीहरिं शरणं ययौ ।।

"What is the use of my rules of grammar when I am old and seek release from the cycles of birth and death?" With this thought, the sage sought refuge in Lord Hari with devotion! [Hari = Lion OR Lord Vishnu]

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 26, 2021, 8:48:38 AM6/26/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मीत्युक्तिं मनसि चिन्तयन् ।
द्विवारं मुनिरुच्चार्य तं हरिं शरणं ययौ ।।

Pondering the statement of Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita, “I am the letter “a” in the alphabet,” Pāṇini uttered the letter “a” twice [at the end of his grammar] and sought refuge in Lord Hari. [Hari = Lion OR Lord Vishnu]

[The last rule of Pāṇini’s grammar is “a a.”]

Hemant Dave

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Jun 27, 2021, 2:33:17 AM6/27/21
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Beautiful...

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Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 27, 2021, 8:17:58 AM6/27/21
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Thanks, Hemant Ji.

Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 27, 2021, 8:30:26 AM6/27/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

य: शिवाच्छिवसूत्राणि लब्ध्वा व्याकरणं व्यधात् ।
सोऽन्तेऽकारं द्विरुच्चार्य श्रीहरिं शरणं ययौ ।।

After receiving his preamble rules from Lord Śiva, Pāṇini composed his grammar, and finally saying the letter “a” twice he sought refuge in Lord Hari.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 28, 2021, 8:23:48 AM6/28/21
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Pāṇīni, the Grammarian

शैवोऽयं वैष्णवश्चापि पाणिनि: शब्दशास्त्रकृत् ।
अभेदं दर्शयामास शिवकेशवयोर्मुनि: ।।

Pāṇini, the grammarian, was a devotee of both Śiva and Viṣṇu, and the sage displayed non-difference between the two.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 29, 2021, 8:42:57 AM6/29/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

आदिमध्यान्तकल्याणं य़: शास्त्रं विदधे शुभम् ।
सञ्जीवनं सरस्वत्यास्तस्मै पाणिनये नम: ।।

My salutations to Pāṇini who created the brilliant science of grammar, beautiful from the beginning to the end. It is the life-giving elixir of Sarasvati, the goddess of speech.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 30, 2021, 8:23:36 AM6/30/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

यं बौद्धा अपि वाञ्छन्ति शाङ्करा वैष्णवास्तथा ।
दीपस्तम्भ इवाभाति पाणिनिर्मे चतुष्पथे ।।

The Buddhists, the Śaivas and the Vaiṣṇavas all want Pāṇini. He appears to me like a guiding light at the cross-roads.

उज्ज्वल राजपूत

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Jun 30, 2021, 10:32:45 AM6/30/21
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भूय॒सात्र॒ सूत्रे॑ बौद्ध॒कथ॑नं त॒र्कय॑द्भ्यः
For those wondering why Buddhists are being repeatedly brought up in this thread:

Madhav Deshpande

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Jun 30, 2021, 12:03:26 PM6/30/21
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Thank you, Ujjval Ji, for providing a link to my article. It is not widely known among general Sanskritists that Buddhist philosophers like Nāgārjuna, Vasubandhu, Candrakīrti were thoroughly familiar with Pāṇini's grammar and quote his rules while discussing the interpretations of Sanskrit words. The one extensive discussion that comes to my mind is on the interpretation of the term pratītya-samutpāda. I remember seeing a Ph.D. dissertation dealing with this topic. So, yes, the Buddhists were very much among the followers of the Pāṇinian tradition. We have well known names like Jinendrabuddhi and Dharmakīrti who wrote grammatical works. As Bhartr̥hari mentions, it was Candrācārya who recovered the almost lost Mahābhāṣya and promulgated its study. This Candrācārya is in all likelihood the same as Candragomin who wrote his own Cāndra-Vyākaraṇa. That Vyākaraṇa shows his deep familiarity with the Mahābhāṣya.

Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

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Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 1, 2021, 8:48:33 AM7/1/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

प्राङ्मुखोऽसौ समासीनो मुनिसिंह: शलातुरे ।
दर्भपाणि: प्रयत्नेन सूत्राणि महताऽकरोत् ।।

Pāṇini, the lion among the sages, sitting in Śalātura facing the east and holding the sacred darbha grass in his hand produced his grammatical rules with great effort.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 2, 2021, 8:49:18 AM7/2/21
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Pāṇīni, the Grammarian

अध्येतॄणामसाविच्छन् शास्त्राध्ययनसम्पदम् ।
वृद्धिशब्दं प्रयुज्यादौ मङ्गलं विदधे मुनि: ।।

Desiring the success for his students in the study of his science of grammar, Pāṇini the sage used the auspicious word “prosperity” at the beginning of his work.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 3, 2021, 8:34:54 AM7/3/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

पाणिनेर्मुनिसिंहस्य दिक्षु सर्वासु शावका: ।
अद्यापि कुर्वते नित्यं सिंहवत् सूत्रगर्जनाम् ।।

The disciples of Pāṇini, the lion among sages, roar with his rules like lions even today in all directions.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 4, 2021, 9:19:13 AM7/4/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

गजसूत्रमिति ख्यातंमेकं सूत्रं यथा तव ।
सिंहसूत्रमिदं शास्त्रमखिलं तेऽस्तु पाणिने ।।

O Pāṇini, just as one of your rules is called an Elephant Rule, let your entire grammar be called the Rules of the Lion.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 5, 2021, 8:40:22 AM7/5/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

पाणिने तव सूत्राणि निबध्नन्ति पदानि न: ।
शब्दार्णवं तरिष्यामो नास्ति न: पतनाद् भयम् ।।

O Pāṇini, your ropes [rules] have tied down our feet [words]. We shall cross the ocean of language. We have no fear of falling.

Gudsoorkar A G

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Jul 6, 2021, 6:24:48 AM7/6/21
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Very true.  Thank you Deshpandeji.

Sent from my iPhone
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Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 6, 2021, 8:20:19 AM7/6/21
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Thank you, Ashok Ji. Best Regards,

Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 6, 2021, 8:30:46 AM7/6/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

विशुद्धा वागियं जाता तव शास्त्रेण पाणिने ।
मार्गदर्शी त्वमेवासि साध्वसाधुव्यवस्थितौ ।।

O Pāṇini, the speech was purified by your science of grammar. You are our guide in distinguishing correct from incorrect usages.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 7, 2021, 8:40:46 AM7/7/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

शिष्टप्रयोगमाश्रित्य चक्रे व्याकरणं मुनि: ।
कुर्वते शास्त्रमाश्रित्य प्रयोगानधुना बुधा: ।।

Pāṇini, the sage, produced his grammar by relying on the usage of the elite speakers of his days. Today, the learned follow his grammar in producing their usage of Sanskrit.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 8, 2021, 8:32:51 AM7/8/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

वृद्धिर्न वृद्धिसूत्रेण गुणसूत्रेण वा गुण: ।
वद किं लौकिका: कुर्युस्तव शास्त्रेण पाणिने ।।

O Pāṇini, since there is no prosperity from your rule defining prosperity nor any virtue from your rule defining virtue, tell us what can the common folks gain from your grammar?

[The terms Vr̥ddhi “prosperity” and Guṇa “virtue” have been given technical meanings by Pāṇini, and don’t denote their normal meanings.]

Shashi Joshi

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Jul 8, 2021, 8:49:24 AM7/8/21
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साधु साधु 


Thanks,
Shashi

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Sivasenani Nori

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Jul 8, 2021, 9:42:33 AM7/8/21
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तस्मात् पाणिनीयाः शिष्टाः सेव्या वृद्ध्यै, गुणेभ्यो भाषाज्ञानाय च। 

इति बुधजनविधेयः सेनानीः। 

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Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 8, 2021, 9:45:56 AM7/8/21
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🙏🙏🙏 धन्यवाद, शिवसेनानी जी ।

Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 9, 2021, 8:30:51 AM7/9/21
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Pāṇini, the Grammarian

रीणीमहे यथा कुम्भान् कुम्भकारगृहाद् वयम् ।
क्रीणाति किं तथा शब्दान् जनस्तव गृहान्मुने ।।

As we buy pots from the shop of a potter, does anyone buy words from your shop, O grammarian sage?

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 9, 2021, 8:34:41 AM7/9/21
to Madhav Deshpande
Pāṇini, the Grammarian

क्रीणीमहे यथा कुम्भान् कुम्भकारगृहाद् वयम् ।

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 10, 2021, 8:20:39 AM7/10/21
to Madhav Deshpande
Pāṇini, the Grammarian

परिहासविजल्पितमेतद् । न परमार्थेन ।

प्रत्यक्षरं विवादेन पाणिनीयै: परस्परम् ।
युध्यमानै: सभामध्ये कण्ठच्छेदो विधीयते ।।

Pāṇinian grammarians disputing every syllable with others and fighting in the assemblies conduct cut-throat debates.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 11, 2021, 9:26:32 AM7/11/21
to Madhav Deshpande
Pāṇini, the Grammarian

[परिहासविजल्पितं सखे परमार्थेन न गृह्यतां वच:]

पाणिनीयान् सभामध्ये युध्यमानान् विलोकयन् ।
पाणिनि: पाणिना हन्ति निजशीर्षं हताशया ।।

Seeing the Pāṇinian grammarians fighting in the debate halls, Pāṇini hits his head with his hand in despair.

उज्ज्वल राजपूत

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Jul 11, 2021, 11:33:42 PM7/11/21
to भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्
[परिहासविजल्पितं सखे परमार्थेन न गृह्यतां वच:]
 
ह॒ताशः॒ स तु यु॒द्धेभ्य॒ ऋषिः॒ सम्भ्रा॑न्तचेतनः।
प॒क्षि॒म॒त्स्य॒मृ॒गान्ह॑न्ति सिं॒हरू॑पो॒ वस॒न्वने॑॥

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 12, 2021, 1:25:11 AM7/12/21
to Bharatiya Vidvat parishad
अतिसुन्दरम्।
 
Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]

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उज्ज्वल राजपूत

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Jul 12, 2021, 7:12:04 AM7/12/21
to भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्
येषां॒ न वि॑दि॒तं तेभ्यो॒ निर्दि॑श्यते—


सोमवार, 12 जुलाई 2021 को 9:03:42 am UTC+5:30 बजे उज्ज्वल राजपूत ने लिखा:

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 12, 2021, 8:26:31 AM7/12/21
to Madhav Deshpande
Pāṇini, the Grammarian

परिहासविजल्पितमेतद् । न परमार्थेन ।

प्रत्यक्षरविवादेन शाब्दिका घ्नन्ति शाब्दिकान् ।
अन्ते सर्वविवादानां यो जीवति स जीवति ।।

By disputing every syllable of Pāṇini’s grammar, grammarians demolish grammarians. After all debates are over, whoever survives survives!!!

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 13, 2021, 8:31:49 AM7/13/21
to Madhav Deshpande
Pāṇini, the Grammarian

पठन्तस्तव सूत्राणि प्रसन्ना वीर्यवत्तमा: ।
धैर्यहीना भयग्रस्ता: पलायन्तेऽतिदूरत: ।।

O Pāṇini, while the very brave students studying your grammar are delighted, those who are not so courageous run away from a distance.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 13, 2021, 8:34:29 AM7/13/21
to Madhav Deshpande
Pāṇini, the Grammarian

पठन्तस्तव सूत्राणि प्रसन्ना वीर्यवत्तमा: ।
धैर्यहीना भयग्रस्ता: पलायन्तेऽतिदूरत: ।।

O Pāṇini, while the very brave students studying your grammar are delighted, those who are not courageous get scared and run away from a distance.

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 14, 2021, 8:26:17 AM7/14/21
to Madhav Deshpande
Pāṇini, the Grammarian

प्रयुज्य लाघवं केन गौरवं प्राप्यते भुवि ।
लाघवाद्गुरुतां प्राप्तं नान्यं जानामि पाणिने: ।।

By using smallness [=brevity], who can attain greatness? I don’t know anyone other than Pāṇini who attained greatness by using smallness [ = maximum brevity in the formulation of his grammatical rules.]

Madhav Deshpande

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Jul 17, 2021, 8:48:17 AM7/17/21
to Madhav Deshpande

Pāṇini, the Grammarian


शिष्टंमन्यैरशिष्टैश्च वाणी विप्लाव्यतेऽनिशम् । 

कमन्यं शरणं यामि सूत्रकारो गतिर्मम ।। 


Language is always defiled by those who falsely think of themselves to be proper speakers and by those who do not know the proper usage. Who else can I rely on?  The grammarian Pāini is my final recourse.

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