Some Important Shiksha Vedangas (study)
by Mala Laha | 2021 | 31,647 words
This page relates ‘Symbolic representation of accent� of the study dealing with Shiksha Vedangas—a crucial component of Vedic literature focusing on phonetics and pronunciation in ancient texts. The researched texts include the Paniniya, Yajnavalkya and Naradi Shiksas, among others. The study also investigates historical phonological transformations between Sanskrit and Pali, exploring the evolution of sounds and pronunciation.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Part 6 - Symbolic representation of accent
The symbolic representation of the particular accent according to the ñⲹ Śṣ� is to be made by a movement of the hand[1]. This symbolic representation is one of the important parts of proper articulation of the accent.
If there are some miscommunications between hand and mouth, the proper articulation cannot be performed-
यथ� वाणी तथ� पाणी रिक्तं तु परिवर्जयेत्।
यत्र यत्र स्थिता वाणी पाणिस्तत्रैव तिष्ठति॥yathā vāṇ� tathā pāṇ� rikta� tu parivarjayet|
yatra yatra sthitā vāṇ� pāṇistatraiva tiṣṭhati||
According to ñⲹ Śṣ� the movements of the hand is a very important part of the Vedic recitation. The proper symbolic representation is highly appreciable[2].
Vedic recitation becomes incomplete without the movement of the hand�
हस्तहीनं तु योऽधीते स्वरवर्णविवर्जितम्�
ऋग्यजुःसामभिर्द्दग्ध� वियोनिमधिगच्छति॥ (याज्ञवल्क्� शिक्षा, ४१)hastahīna� tu yo'dhīte svaravarṇavivarjitam|
ṛgyajuḥsāmabhirddagdho viyonimadhigacchati|| (ñⲹ Śṣ�, 41)
In the ñⲹ Śṣ� there are some general symbolic representation discussed by the author. For example, the left hand is to be moved when the high accent is located before a low accent in the �ṃhṻ� of a Vedic text�
उदात्तानुदात्त� तु वामाया भव आरभेत्�
udāttānudātte tu vāmāyā bhava ārabhet|
(ñⲹ Śṣ�, 57)
These types of symbolic representation of the particular accent are also mentioned in different books like ʲīśṣ�[3], ʲٲñᲹūٰ ect. According to ʲٲñᲹūٰ, in the case of the low accent, the right hand is to be placed or moved near the heart�
ह्यद्यनुदात्तः हृदयसमीपे दक्षिणहस्तेतानुदात्तप्रदर्शन� भवतीति भावः�
hyadyanܻٳٲ� hṛdayasamīpe dakṣiṇahastetānܻٳٲpradarśana� bhavatīti bhāvaḥ|
(ʲٲñᲹūٰ, 1.4.6).
Thus, in articulating the high accent, the hand would be come near the head; while in the case of the �svarita�, the hand is to be moved near the ear. These types of movements of the hand in the direction of the hand, the heart, or the ear are symbolic. With reference to these movement of the hand, the ʲī Śṣ� points out that the high accent occurs when the effort is directed towards the upper part of the vocal organs. Then the head represents the upper part, the ear the central or transverse part and the heart the lowest part of the articulating organs. This theory, which attributes the accent to the various attitudes of the vocal organ, may possibly refer to the raising of the larynx for the high pitch, and the lowering of it for the low pitch, and if it is intended for this sense, it becomes a sound. The reason which led ʲٲñᲹ to localize the accent in the various attitudes of the vocal organs is the need to determine a fixed standard of accent for all speakers and hearers. According to the ṣaūṣaṇa[4], creation of the high accent (ܻٳٲ) is tension of the organs, firmness of the voice and narrowness of the cavity of the throat while in case of low accent (anܻٳٲ) looseness of the organs, weakness of the voice, and wideness of the cavity of the throat are required.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
samuccārayed varṇān hastena ca mukhena ca| svaraścaiva tu hastasya dvāvetau yugapadasthitau|| (ñⲹ Śṣ�,25)
[2]:
svaravarṇān prayuñcāno hastenā'dhītamācaran| ṛgyajuḥsāmabhi� pūto brahmalokamavāpnuyāt|| (ñⲹ Śṣ�,45)