Rule Interaction, Blocking and Derivation in Pāṇini

Abstract

Pāṇini ’s grammar is a class of rules formulated based on generalization abstracted from usage, so that the vast oceans of words could be properly understood. This class of rules will consist of general (utsarga) and their related particulars (viśeṣa ). A general rule, since it is to be formulated with certain generalizations made about its scope of application, must yield to its related particulars which would necessarily require delineation of their own particular scope of application. A particular rule is thus formulated with particular properties relative to generalized properties. A general rule is supposed to pervade its scope of application in its entirety. It is in this sense that it is called vyāpaka (pervader). Since a particular rule is formulated with particular properties relative to the general, the scope of application of a particular must then be extracted from within the scope of its general counterpart. A related particular is called pervaded (vyāpya), since its scope of application is to be carved out from within the general scope of its corresponding utsarga, the pervader (vyāpaka). Rules whose application cannot be captured within the related class of general and particular have been classed as residual (śeṣa). A residual would thus fall outside of the applicational scope of its general and particular counterparts. For, it refers to a proposal which is yet to be made, close to its context (upayuktād anyaḥ śeṣaḥ).

Based on Laguage, Grammar and Linguistics my paper published in the History of Indian Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization (2010, Vol. VI.4: pp. 134-250).