365bet

Some Important Shiksha Vedangas (study)

by Mala Laha | 2021 | 31,647 words

This page relates ‘Accents and their Varieties according to Varnaratnapradipika Shiksha� 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 4a - Accents and their Varieties according to Varṇaratnapradīpikā Śṣ�

There are three major types of pitch accent according to Varṇaratnapradīpikā Śṣ�.

स्वररुच्चः स्वर� नीचः स्वर� स्वरित एव च्�
स्वरप्रधान� त्रैस्wअर्यव्यञ्जनं ते� सस्वरम्॥

svararucca� svaro nīca� svara� svarita eva c|
svarapradhāne traiswaryavyañjana� tena sasvaram||

(ղṇaٲԲī辱 Śṣ�, 86)

In the above text the word svara means accent. There are three main accents in the Vedas ܻٳٲ, anܻٳٲ and svarita. This above text is also available in the Yājñavalkya Śṣ�.

ٳٲ (Acute Accent)

Acute accent is defined by the Varṇaratnapradīpikā Śṣ� in the word �svararucca� which means acute accent is raised in a high tone. It is also explained by the word ��. It is one of the specific characteristics of the acute accent. It means restriction of the organs or ٰԾ[1].

Anܻٳٲ (Grave Accent)

According to the definition of the Varṇaratnapradīpikā Śṣ�, there are two specific characteristic feature of the grave accent�

a) Softness of the sound

वर्णेषूच्चार्यमाणेषु विकारा� स्युस्त्रयस्तनोः�
आयाममार्दव� चोभौ तृतीयश्चाभिधातकः�

varṇeṣūccāryamāṇeṣu vikārā� syustrayastanoḥ|
峾mārdavau cobhau tṛtīyaścābhidhātakaḥ||

(ղṇaٲԲī辱 Śṣ�, 88)

b) �Gātrasya adhagamanam� means relaxation of the organs.

Svarita (Circumflex Accent)

According to the Varṇaratnapradīpikā Śṣ� circumflex accent is a combination of the acute and the grave accent.

उभयवांश्� स्वरित एकीभावेऽन्ययोर्भवेत्।

ubhayavāṃśca svarita ekībhāve'nyayorbhavet|

(Varṇaratnapradīpikā Śṣ�, 60)

Footnotes and references:

[back to top]

[1]:

Ibid.,89

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Help to become even better: