Syllabus

Unit 1: Nature of Language
• What is Language?
• Difference between Bhasa, Vak and Vani
• Spoken and Compositional language
• Effect of orality on the Nature of Language
• The Knowledge disciplines related with discourse of Language
• The Language of the Universe: Nada (Resonance)
Unit 2: Introduction to the components of Sanskrit Language
• Physical aspects
1. Sounds (Dhvani)
2. Syllables (aksara/varna)
3. Sabda (word)
4. Pada (morphological unit)
5. Ukti (utterances)
• Metaphysical aspects
1. Language and Reality (Satta)
2. Mantratmaka and prapañcatmaka
3. Language as an ontological category
4. Discourse of language as Cognitive System
5. Intrinsic property of Language
6. Verb centred Language: Sanskrit
7. Special features of Sanskrit language
a. Metrical (chandas)
b. Figurative (alamkara yukta)
c. Compound (samasa) and assimilation (sandhi) based
d. Coded (inflectional- pratyayanta)
e. Abbreviated (sutra baddha)
f. Generative (derivational)
g. Usage based (loka pramana)
Unit 3: The Discourse of sabda and artha
• Signifier (vacaka), signified (vacya) and the meaning (vacyartha)
• The relationship of sabda and artha and the question of nitya (indestructible)
• Vak and its four levels of manifestation
• The three types of meaning (artha)
• The two possibilities of getting meaning of utterances
• The requirements for constructing meaning of utterances
Unit 4: The Science of Mantra
• Mantra: meaning and dimensions
• Relation between mantra and spanda
• Autonomous spontaneous mantra (ajapajapa)
• Study of Language as an Ontological System
1. The Chapter of energy and consciousness
2. The encapsulation and limitation of energy
3. Manifestation of sound energy as potencies in relation to ontological categories
4. The Transposition Effect during Genesis of Vak
5. The rectification (purification) in reversal
6. Activation of cakras, shape of Kundalini and time travel
Unit 5: The Conception of Language in Indian Knowledge Systems
• The Oral Culture
• The Purpose of Knowledge
• Language and Upanishads
• The Language is communion with Self
• Centrality of Thought
• The Two Choices – Sreya and Preya
• The Language as Primary Science
• Evolution till Modern Indian Languages from Sanskrit
• Language as the Grammar of Reality

Understand the Nature of Language: To introduce students to the fundamental concepts of language, including its nature, distinctions between Bhasa, Vak, and Vani, and the effects of orality on language. This will include exploring the knowledge disciplines related to language discourse and the concept of Nada (resonance) as the language of the universe.

Explore the Components of Sanskrit Language: To provide an overview of the physical and metaphysical components of Sanskrit, including sounds, syllables, words, and grammatical structures, as well as its ontological aspects such as language as a cognitive system, its intrinsic properties, and special features of Sanskrit.

Examine the Discourse of Sabda and Artha: To analyze the relationship between signifier (sabda), signified (artha), and meaning (vacyartha), including the levels of manifestation of Vak, the types of meanings, and the processes involved in constructing and understanding utterances.

Investigate the Science of Mantra and Language in Indian Knowledge Systems: To explore the dimensions of mantra, its relationship with spanda (vibration), and its role in ontological systems, including the activation of chakras and the conceptual framework of language in Indian knowledge systems, such as its role in oral culture, Upanishads, and its evolution from Sanskrit.

1. Comprehend Language Fundamentals: Students will be able to explain the nature of language, differentiate between Bhasa, Vak, and Vani, and describe the effects of orality on language. They will also understand how Nada (resonance) represents the language of the universe and its implications for knowledge systems.
2. Analyze Sanskrit Language Components: Students will demonstrate an understanding of both the physical aspects (sounds, syllables, words, etc.) and metaphysical aspects (language as reality, ontological categories) of Sanskrit, and describe its unique features such as metrical, figurative, compound, coded, abbreviated, generative, and usage-based characteristics.
3. Interpret Sabda and Artha Relationships: Students will be able to analyze the relationship between sabda and artha, understand the levels of Vak manifestation, and apply the concepts of signifier, signified, and meaning to the construction and interpretation of utterances.
4. Apply Mantra and Ontological Language Concepts: Students will explore the dimensions of mantra, its relation to spanda, and its role in the ontological system. They will be able to discuss the activation of chakras and the concept of language as an ontological category, including its implications for understanding reality and the evolution of modern Indian languages from Sanskrit.

K. A. Subramania Iyer,, The Vakyapadiya of Bhartrhari,, Deccan College, , Puna, 1971.

Surendranath Das Gupta, The Mahabhasya of Patanjali, Indian Council of Philosophical Research , New Delhi, 1991.

Jaideva Singh,, Paratrimshika Vivarana,, Motilal Banarasidas, , Varanasi, 1963.

Sadhana Parashar,, Kavyamimamsa of Rajshekhara,, D K Printworld(P) Ltd., , Delhi, 2000.

S. Verma, "Approaches to study language in the world (In the context of Sanskrit and modern Indian languages)", Chintan Research Journal, vol.2, no.3, pp.78-87, Aacharya Academy, September 2012

S. Ghosh and S. Verma, "Kashmirashibadwayawade srusterunmilanasya tarkika-bisleshanam", Shodh Navneet (International Refereed Research Journal), vol.vol - xii, pp.23-32, STUTI PRACHYAVIDYA SAMITI, GONDA (U.P.) 2019