'Karttari' ke Sutron ki Samiksha

Summary

This article delves into the grammatical and philosophical examination of a set of aphorisms known as the ‘Karttari Sūtras’, which concern constructions where the agent performs the action. The author situates these sūtras within the wider body of Paninian grammar and notes that they govern the use of active voice, agency markers and verb agreement. Through close reading of the original Sanskrit sūtras and their classical commentaries, the paper explains rules that determine whether a verb takes a kartari (active) or karmani (passive) conjugation and how semantic nuances influence that choice. It highlights how these grammatical decisions are linked to philosophical questions about agency, causation and responsibility. For instance, whether an action is construed as agent‑driven or object‑driven reflects different conceptualisations of doing and being affected. The article compares the Paninian framework with later grammatical schools, such as Kātyāyana’s vārttikas and Bhartṛhari’s Vākyapadīya, to trace interpretive developments. It also touches on how Jain and Buddhist logicians adopted grammatical distinctions in their arguments about karma and moral action. By the end, the author suggests that examining the Karttari Sūtras reveals the depth at which linguistic theory intersects with metaphysics in Indian intellectual history.