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Vedic Language (वैदिकभाषा) (view source)

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Although there are numerous apparent similarities between vedic language and classical sanskrit, the difference between them in respect to grammar, vocabulary, style, matter and spirit are very conspicuous. <ref name=":0">Ram Gopal. (1983) ''The History and Principles of Vedic Interpretation.'' New Delhi : Concept Publishing Company</ref>

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== परिचयः || Introduction ==

When we presume that Samskrit is the language of Veda, we get into trouble in understanding the text. There is difficulty in understanding the meanings of words and sentences.<ref name=":1">Sri. Rayalu Viswanadha's [https://vedaravindamu.wordpress.com/2014/11/21/vedic-language/ Article on Vedic Language]</ref> Even those words which appear to be common to both the languages denote different meanings in the earlier Vedic language and the later samskrit language.<ref name=":0" />

A few nuances of samskrit used in Vaidika bhasha (वैदिकभाषा) and Loukika bhasha (लौकिकभाषा) such as differences in syllables, words, meanings, sentences and thoughts worthy of note are placed in the reader's perspective.

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== वैदिकभाषायाः सूक्ष्मप्रभेदाः ॥ Nuances of Vaidika bhasha ==

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We bring forth in the following section the subtle differences in Vedic ~~language~~ (with examples), far different from the present day language, and the associated interesting points that are raised.

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We bring forth in the following section the subtle differences in Vedic Language (वैदिकभाषा) with examples, far different from the present day language, and the associated interesting points that are raised.

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=== अक्षरम् || Akshara (Alphabet) ===

A single Akṣara makes a difference in the meaning of the same word and same r̥k (ऋक्), in different sections of Veda as seen below<ref name=":1" />

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|<nowiki>bhātyagnirā | </nowiki>'''भा'''<nowiki>त्यग्निरा |</nowiki>

(Atha. Veda. 18.3.65 & Tait. Aran. 6.3.1)

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|}How can one explain the change of akṣaras, when the texts are being carried from the very beginning, to this day without any distortion by oral tradition?

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How can one explain the change of akṣaras, when the texts are being carried from the very beginning, to this day without any distortion by oral tradition?

svarga (स्वर्ग) is the word used in all the other three Veda saṁhitas but in Yajurveda saṁhita alone, it is replaced by suvarga (सुवर्ग). Does adding a simple vowel u (उ) make a great difference?

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=== पदम् || Padam (Word) ===

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For instance, the words (पदम् | Pada or शब्दः | Shabda) svāhā (स्वाहा), svadhā (स्वधा), and vaṣaṭ (वषट्) are very common in Veda but their precise meaning is not known.<ref name=":1" />

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For instance, the words (पदम् | Pada or शब्दः | Shabda) svāhā (स्वाहा), svadhā (स्वधा), and vaṣaṭ (वषट्) are very common in Veda but their precise meaning is not known.<ref name=":1" />

* स्वाहा॒ स्तोम॑स्य वर्धना॒ प्र क॑वी धी॒तिभि॑र्नरा | svāhā stomasya vardhanā pra kavī dhītibhir narā | (Rig.Veda. 8.8.5)

* यज्ञोवै स्वाहाकारः | yajñovai svāhākāraḥ | (Shat. Brah. 3.1.3.27)

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One cannot understand the r̥k mantra context without knowing the meaning of words comprising of single akshara which is a unique feature of the Rigveda.

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=== अर्थः || Artha (Meaning) ===

Apart from the unique words seen in vedic texts, some words such as those given below are seen both in Vedic and Classical texts but with different meanings.<ref>Aryamantavya Article : [http://aryamantavya.in/from-vedic-to-classical-sanskrit-development-or-decay/ From Vedic to Classical Sanskrit] (Development or Decay)</ref>

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One of the 28 names for Wealth (अष्टाविंशतिः एव धननामानि | १० | (Nighantu 2.10)<ref name=":3" />

|Name of an Asura (असुरभेदः), Place called Gaya (गयाप्रदेशः)<ref>Shabdakalpadruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82 See Gaya])</ref>

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|}Some Vedic words like mūtram (मूत्रम्), purīṣam (पुरीषम्) etc. even convey repugnant or repulsive meanings. By quoting Sanskrit meanings, some of the modern writers are even entering the area of pornography in explaining Vedic statements.<ref name=":1" />

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Some Vedic words like mūtram (मूत्रम्), purīṣam (पुरीषम्) etc. even convey repugnant or repulsive meanings. By quoting Sanskrit meanings, some of the modern writers are even entering the area of pornography in explaining Vedic statements.<ref name=":1" />

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=== वाक्यम् || Vakyam (Sentence) ===

* मा छन्दः॑ | mā chandaḥ (Tait. Samh. 4.3.7)

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* स॒हस्र॑शृङ्गो वृष॒भो जा॒तवे॑दाः | sahasraśr̥ṅgō vr̥ṣabhō jātavēdāḥ (Tait. Brah. 3.7.2)

Although the words in the sentences above appear to be understood, a meaningful sentence cannot be comprehended. If they are viewed as traditional samskrit words, the translated sentences will not convey relevant meanings.<ref name=":1" />

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=== विचारः || Vichara (Thought) ===

* अ॒ग्निम॒भिप॑वते | agnimabhipavate | अ॒ग्निम॒भिसंप॑वते | agnimabhisaṁpavate | (Tait. Brah. 2.3.9)

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* वाचेन्नम् |‍ ब्रह्मण ओदनम् | vācēnnam |‍ brahmaṇa ōdanam | (Tait. Aran. 3.10)

What is Veda conveying in these two repeated sentences?

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== प्रातिशाख्य-ग्रन्थाः ॥ Pratisakhya Granthas ==

Many such questions arise in understanding Vedas, thus making their interpretation difficult. These variations suggest that Vedic language is different from conventional languages that we know and use. Veda talks about the importance of akṣara at many places. There are many r̥ks (ऋक्) and Yajus mantras emphasizing the importance of akṣara. 11th anuvāka of 7th praśna in 1st kāṇḍa of Taittirīya samhita<ref>Taittriya Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E2%80%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD Kanda 1 Prapathaka 7])</ref> is all about akṣaras, starting with

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Earlier Vedic scholars (Shaunaka, being one of them) wrote books on the language structure of Veda, called as '''Prātiśākhya Granthas'''. Each one of those books deal at length about akṣara. Hence one has to thoroughly understand the speech system and become eloquent in vedic grammatical rules to interpret Vedic language.

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== वैदिकभाषाविशेषलक्षणानि ॥ Characteristics of Vaidika Bhasha ==

The following are the important features of vaidika samskrita bhasha which differentiates it from the loukika bhasha that has been in vogue since recent centuries. Some of these features are completely lost from the loukika bhasha.

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=== स्वराः ॥ Svaras ===

* The invariable presence of Udatta and other svaras in vaidika bhasha is a foremost differentiating feature from traditional Samskrit.

* Usage of Svaras gives a musical tinge to the veda mantras, while such an attempt in traditional samskrit is not seen (chandas is applicable).<ref name=":4" />

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=== मात्रा ॥ Matra ===

* The time of utterance (उच्चारण) of a syllable is called Matra (मात्रा). In vaidika samskrit - Hrasva (ह्रस्वः) Deergha (दीर्घः) Pluta (प्लुतः) kinds of utterances are available but Pluta is gradually lost in present day samskrit language.<ref name=":4" /> अधः स्विदासी३त् उपरि स्विदासी३त् भीरिव विन्दन्ती३

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=== वर्णः ॥ Varna ===

The following features about pronunciation of varnas are seen only in vaidika bhasha.

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* Svarabhakti (स्वरभक्तिः) and Abhinidhana (अभिनिधानम्) are grammatical processes where combined varnas (संयुक्तवर्णाः) are broken down for clarity of pronunciation. Example: स्वर → सुवर, पृथ्वी →पृथिवी and दर्शत → दरशत

* Vyuha (व्यूह) and Vyavaya (व्यवाय) : Vyuha means separation. The process of separation of combined letters to accommodate the appropriate metrical construction (chandas) in a pada of mantra is called Vyuha. Vyavaya (means interval) is a similar process applicable to combined letters containing y(य्)-v (व्)-r (र्)-l (ल्) which are separated to allow proper metrical composition.

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=== पदम् || Pada ===

* Words such as japhari (जफरी), tuphari (तुफरी), Arjuni (अर्जुनी), Aktu (अक्तु), Svetya (श्वेत्या), Gatu (गातु), Gma (ग्मा) existed in Vaidika samskrit which are missing from traditional samskrit language.

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=== विभक्तिः ॥ Vibhakti ===

Vaidika and loukika word forms or Vibhaktis are similar with some additional rules applicable to vaidika word forms.<ref name=":4" /> Examples

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* In place of a vibhakti in a word any one of आ, आत्, ए, या, and ई are added.

* Dative case (चतुर्थीविभक्तिः) and Genitive case(षष्ठीविभक्तिः) are used interchangeably in vaidika bhasha. Example : In गोधाकालकादार्वाघटास्ते वनस्पतीनाम् | Here instead of वनस्पतीभ्यः usage of वनस्पतीनाम् is seen.

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=== लकाराः ॥ Lakaras (Tenses and Moods) ===

* लेटलकारः - In vaidika bhasha usage of verb root in लेटलकारः (Subjunctive mood) is extensive. It is used in two senses: of a contractual agreement (उपसंवादः) and doubt or probability (आशङ्का). A study of the Rigveda, according to Pt. Baldev Upadhayaya, clearly differentiates the '''लेटलकारः''' (Subjunctive mood) from '''विधिलिङ्''' (Potential Mood). The fulfillment of an action lies well within the capability limits of the speaker (in the first person) is given by the लेटलकारः| However, विधिलिङ् indicates that action whose fulfillment lies beyond the capability of the speaker and hence is described optional with sambhavana (संभावना | probability).<ref name=":4" />

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* Another important difference is that in Kridanta padas even for a word containing prefix by the rule क्त्वापि छन्दसि (Ashtadhyayi 7.1.38), ktva prayaya (क्त्वा प्रत्ययः) is added to the root which is not the case in loukika bhasha. Example : यजमानं परिधापयित्वा

* त्वा is transformed to त्वाय and sometimes as त्वी as in 'दिवं सुपर्णो गत्वाय' (used in sense of गत्वा) and स्नात्वी पीत्वी (in the sense of स्नात्वा and पीत्वा) (Page 571 of Reference <ref name=":4" />)

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=== सन्धिः ॥ Sandhi (Conjunction) ===

Vaidika and Loukika samskrita are similar in their sandhi constructs with few different sandhis in vaidika samskrit.<ref name=":4" /> Many rules of sandhis allow greater flexibility.

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* Abhinihita (अभिनिहित सन्धिः) Padavritti (पदवृत्ति सन्धिः), Udgraha (उद्ग्राह सन्धिः) and Bhugna (भुग्न सन्धिः) are a few sandhis that are only seen in vaidika bhasha.

* Some others like Prakrutibhava and Visarga sandhis have similar rules both in vaidika and loukika bhasha with additional rules in vaidika bhasha.

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=== समासः ॥ Samasa (Combination) ===

* Vaidika bhasha does not contain samasta padas (समस्तपदम्) having more than three or four words. Long samasas are the features of loukika bhasha.

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** अहोरात्रे - अहश्च रात्रिश्च (in loukika bhasha अहोरात्रौ)

* Dvandva samasa of पितृ and मातृ gives पितरामातरा (Ashtadhyayi. 6.3.33) and sometimes usage of मातरापितरा is also seen, whereas in loukika bhasha मातोपितरौ is seen.

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== वैदिकभाषानिर्माणांशाः ॥ Basic Units of Vaidika Bhasha ==

It is seen that a complex interaction of grammatical rules, only a very few of which are given above, is involved in the construction of vedic texts. The concept of Bijaksharam (बीजाक्षरम्) is unique to the vedas and the associated literature. Unlike any other language vaidika samskrita propounds the existence of a meaningful and powerful combination of aksharas (sound syllable) called Bijaksharam. Of the many uses, they are used as whole or a part of mantras to invoke the deities during various rituals. The following section gives a glimpse into the fundamental units of the language structure of vaidika bhasha.

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=== अक्षरज्ञानम् || Knowledge of Akshara ===

Every akṣara has a specific and significant position in the matrix. Also nature and intensity of effort involved in uttering, differ from akṣara to akṣara and also from one group to another. All the variations and characteristics of each akṣara are reflected in its meaning.

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#* The sparśa akṣaras are in three horizontal lines. First line consists of akṣaras with minimum resonance, the second with those of higher resonance and the last highest resonance. (नासिका Nasal sounds) .

#* The arrangement is so scientific and perfect, that the tongue can jump to any point and pick up the consonant before the vowel sound comes to join.<ref name=":1" />

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=== पदज्ञानम् || Knowledge of Word ===

In loukika bhasha and other languages of the world only word has a meaning but not its component akṣaras. Vedic word is a combination of Vedic akṣaras and the meaning of the word is summation of their individual meanings. The meaning of the word can be deduced by linking the meanings of individual akṣaras in a logical way.

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One more example to indicate how Vedic words are coined : ōm is a very common word in Veda and ōm iti ekākṣaraṁ brahma – ॐ इति एकाक्षरं ब्रह्म is an oft quoted sentence from Veda. akṣara ō – ओ is the result of combining vowels a – अ and u – उ. Thus, ōm represents Brahma through its manifestation, having the properties of a – अ, u – उ and ṁ – म्.

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== संवादः || Discussion ==

Interesting questions raised by Shri. Achyut Karve and discussed in the Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad may also be on the minds of many people:

* Is vedic language a tongue of any particular group viz. ethnic, geographical or of any particular race?

* Do we know of any other language which is not considered to be the tongue of a community and yet is a fully evolved literary language?

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Although the answers to such questions calls for research which will only establish the historicity of the language, Indians have been attached to the Vedas and Sanskrit for millennia and have been nurturing and nourishing it for millennia. No other place did that. This discussion may be followed on Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad.<ref>Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad Discussion : [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/bvparishat/GU1zGYtjoh4/307IR7c4AgAJ;context-place=searchin/bvparishat/vedic$20language%7Csort:date Origins of Vedic Language]</ref>

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Although the answers to such questions calls for research which will only establish the historicity of the language, Indians have been attached to the Vedas and Sanskrit for millennia and have been nurturing and nourishing it for millennia. No other place did that. This discussion may be followed on Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad.<ref>Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad Discussion : [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/bvparishat/GU1zGYtjoh4/307IR7c4AgAJ;context-place=searchin/bvparishat/vedic$20language%7Csort:date Origins of Vedic Language]</ref>

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=== Akshara in Vedic Language ===

A few thoughts of Sri. Rayalu Viswanatha, regarding Aksharas<ref name=":1" /> of the Vedic Language.How does Veda apportion meaning to each akṣara?

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# Can speak to express himself, vāk — (va – व) .

We can see that the matrix is the miniature audio picture of man himself and Vedic language expands it into a full-blown audio picture.

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=== Examples ===

Vowels are spread over the entire yajña śāla. The akṣara a – अ is located at the entrance, i – इ in the middle and u – उ at the end. They are taking part in the formation of every akṣara. They represent the time and the potential needed for the yajña.

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* iṣetvorjetvā – iṣe tvā + ūrje tvā | इ॒षॆत्वॊ॒र्जॆत्वा॑ – इषॆ त्वा + ऊर्जॆ त्वा |

All our actions (yajñas) are only with a purpose to achieve iṣa – our present requirement, hence starts with vowel i – इ. The word ūrja is our hopefully achievable future wants and has to start with u – उ. The two sentences are combined into one (saṁhita) to indicate that human nature is to keep an eye on future while working for the present!

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== References ==

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