Reading Pāṇini
3. The it-sūtrāṇi as a starting point.
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A starting point

In her study guide, Michika takes the it-sūtrāṇi from the Aṣṭādhyāyī as the starting point for the subsequent study of of Pāṇini's grammar.

This starting point remains preparatory work prior to embarking on the Laghusiddhāntakaumudī itself. The motivation seems to be that, although the beginning of the LSK does progressively present what is to be termed it in the grammar, the it-sūtrāṇi form a clear block that illustrates the basic working of Pāṇini's sutra-style, and the role of anuvṛtti in fleshing out the bare text of the sutras themselves.

There are lots of definitions to absorb here:

  • anuvṛtti: literally, "continuation" -- the continued relevance of (words from) a previous rule in subsequent rules -- anuvṛtti.

  • upadeśa: the various texts used in teaching Pāṇinian grammar -- upadeśa.

  • saṃjñā: a technical term used in the grammar -- saṃjñā.

  • saṃjñī: the entity referred to by a technical term -- see saṃjñā.

Note also the different kinds of sūtra used in distinct ways within the Aṣṭadhyāyī.

The it-sūtrāṇi (1.3.2--1.3.9)

As a group, the it-sūtrāṇi identify the letters used as markers (called by the name it) in and around morphemes.

  • (1.3.2) Nasalised vowels are used as it.
  • (1.3.3) Final consonants are used as it ...
  • (1.3.4) ... except for t-series (t--n), s, m as final in the sup and tiṅ sets of suffixes.
  • (1.3.5) The syllables ñi, ṭu and ḍu at the beginning of a verb-root are used as it.
  • (1.3.6) The letter ṣ at the beginning of a suffix is used as it
  • (1.3.7) The c-series (c--ñ) and the ṭ-series (ṭ--ṇ) at the beginning of a suffix are used as it.
  • (1.3.8) The letters l, ś and the k-series at the beginning of non-taddhita (i.e. not secondary nominal derivations) suffixes are used as it.
  • (1.3.9) The marker (it) is deleted.

The form and function of a sutra

The first it-sūtram is 1.3.2, and there is no "continuation" (anuvṛtti) here: the sutra is to be understood by itself.

1.3.2 उपदेशेऽजनुनासिक इत्।

upadeśe 'janunāsika it
upadeśe ac anunāsikaḥ it
"In the teachings (loc.) nasalised vowels (nom.) are it (nom.)."

  • upadeśe: locative, the context for the rule
  • ac anunāsikaḥ: nominative, the entity referred to (saṃjñī)
  • it: nominative, the technical term (saṃjñā)

The LSK's expansion

LSK: upadeśe anunāsikaḥ ac it-saṃjñakaḥ syāt
In the key grammatical teachings, let nasalised vowels be termed it.

The LSK's expansion makes the saṃjñā explicit (it-saṃjñakaḥ), and supplies a verb (syāt).