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The science of Sound: A Sanskrit approach
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Vedas on the science of sound 

The Vedic language is the language of sound. It is not called Sanskrit in the Vedas, or in the Vedangas. The Vedas tell how the words are formed, pronounced and interpreted. The Vedas prescribe the length in time, of each akshara, long and short, the extra long and the half syllable. However, these instructions are seen distributed in different places within the Vedas and it is generally not easy for an ordinary person to assimilate the details. The details of interest are found in the Rig Veda (specifically in the Aranyakas) as well as in the Sikshavalli of the Taitriya Upanishad. 

The importance of proper pronounciation 

The Vedic language, now known as Sanskrit, is very rigorous, not only in the grammar of the language but also in the pronounciation and intonation of the words and the sentences. There is a difference in meaning when in a compound of two nouns, the accent is on the first or the second. 

The classic example cited is the Yajna performed by "Thvashta" in which he asks that the demon to kill Indra, arise from the fire. In actuality, the demon is killed by Indra. What actually happened was that Thvashta, while saying " Indra Shatrur vardhasva" put the accent on the wrong syllables and the meaning got reversed! 

Sound, as detailed in the Vyakarana, the Vedanga 

Panini begins his Vyakarana sutras with the words "atha sabdanusasanam" which may be translated as "now, the directions for sound". Nowhere does he mention that he is describing the rules of grammar for the language called Sanskrit. Nor does he acknowledge the existence of other so called languages except as distortions. He very clearly says that he will be describing only the rules of formation of these words which are meaningful because, for every meaningful sound, there wil be many distorted sounds. 


Intonation, an important part of the language 

In Sanskrit and some other Asian languages like Japanese, intonation within a word and within a sentene plays a very significant role in its meaning. This feature is not observed in many other languages. Though the words within a sentence in Sanskrit, may be placed at will in general, unlike in many western languages, the intonation has to be perfect. A question may be asked without a specific word for questioning such as why, how etc., just by mere intonation. Let us consider an example. In lesson1 we saw an expression "kusalam va'. Here "va" is stressed or emphasized. There is no other word in the expression to imply that a quesion is being put. 

The Eternal aspect of sound 

"Sabda" or sound in Sanskrit has been ascribed an eternal stature called "nityatvam". The Dharma Shastras as well as the upanishads ascert that it is from sound that the universe was created (In fact, certain other religions of the world also believe in this). 

The Vedanta, one of the Darshanas, also ascerts that by reversing the process (i.e., from the meaningful combinations of sound to the physics of sound) realization of the absolute principle called "parabrahman" becomes possible. 

Note 

Most of the above mentioned facts can be gathered from a study of the Mahabhashyas of Patanjali on the Vyakarana sutras of Panini. 

On the Darshanas, particularly Vedanta, the Brahmasutra Bhashyas and the Upanishad Bhashyas of Adi Sankara will provide the necessary information. 

Sarvadarshana Sangraha of Vidyaranya gives a compilation of all the Darshana Shastras in brief .

Contents
(Lesson-2)

Introduction 

Expressions with personal pronouns

Use of (to be) in two ways

Number and Gender

Glossary

Exercises-1

Exercises-2

Exercises-3

Sanskrit Numerals

Summary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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