The Valid Forms in “Bhisa”
By Louis Renou
Summary
This linguistic note surveys the treatment of the word “bhīṣa” (or “bhīsa/bhāsa”) in Sanskrit grammatical literature. The author lists a group of eight or nine sūtras from Pāṇini’s Aṣṭādhyāyī, along with commentaries by Kātyāyana and Patañjali, that govern the formation of words ending in -ṣa and -sa. Particular attention is paid to sūtras III.2.108 and III.2.115, which permit the suffix kvasu as an optional substitute for the perfect tense after certain roots, and to VII.2.88, which allows a special phoneme for such formations. The article examines examples like bhīṣa, bhāṣa, and bhāsi, noting where grammarians accept or reject various forms. Differences among later grammarians—such as Bhaṭṭoji Dīkṣita and Nagesa—are highlighted, especially regarding the status of the “bhisa” form. The author argues that some commentators, by ignoring phonological constraints, proposed forms not sanctioned by Pāṇini. By collating rules and commentaries, the note clarifies which forms are valid and which are secondary or regional. The discussion illustrates how small differences in the interpretation of sūtras can lead to divergent lexical forms and underscores the precision of the Paninian system.
Conclusion
The article demonstrates that the Paninian sūtras governing –ṣa/–sa endings provide clear guidelines for the correct form of “bhīṣa,” while many later variants result from misinterpretation. A careful reading of Pāṇini and his primary commentators shows that only certain forms are grammatically justified, reinforcing the need for philological rigour in Sanskrit lexicography.