Dhatuparayana — A Review Note

Summary

J.M. Shukla’s review note ‘Dhātupārāyaṇa’ situates this little‑known grammatical treatise within the history of Sanskrit linguistic studies. Shukla begins by describing the classification of ancient works on Sanskrit grammar into śāstra‑pāṭha (main treatises) and khila‑pāṭha (supplementary texts). Among the khila‑pāṭha are the dhātupāṭhas—lists of verbal roots essential for understanding derivation and conjugationfile:///home/oai/share/520754-212-427.pdf#:~:text=%27rmina,the%20enumeration%20of%20these%2020. The earliest complete dhātupāṭha known today is attributed to Pāṇini, but Shukla notes that discussion about the enumeration and meaning of roots pre‑dates him. Yāska’s Nirukta divides parts of speech and suggests that all nouns ultimately derive from verbal roots. Shukla introduces Dhātupārāyaṇa as a later manual that compiles roots and offers explanations. He summarises its structure: the text lists roots alphabetically, gives their meanings, and provides examples of their use in compounds and derivations. Shukla highlights that Dhātupārāyaṇa draws upon earlier dhātupāṭhas and sometimes departs from Pāṇinian classifications, suggesting that its author may belong to a non‑Pāṇinian grammatical tradition. The review assesses the accuracy of definitions, noting inconsistencies or lacunae. Shukla also comments on the existing editions of the text, pointing out that they lack critical apparatus or variant readings. He underscores the importance of comparing manuscripts to establish an accurate text. The article situates Dhātupārāyaṇa in the broader intellectual milieu, noting that by the medieval period, grammar had become an ancillary discipline to literary studies and religious exegesis. Manuals like Dhātupārāyaṇa were used by poets, commentators and students to ensure proper usage and to appreciate nuances of meaning. Shukla calls attention to cross‑references in commentaries and lexicons that cite Dhātupārāyaṇa, indicating its influence. The review concludes with suggestions for future work: philologists should prepare a critical edition of Dhātupārāyaṇa, compare it with other dhātupāṭhas to trace its sources, and study its impact on later grammarians.