January - 2014 Odisha Review

The Significance of and

Monalisa Mohanty

The study of Phonetics was persued in Ancient doctrine about sound, accent, pause and junction India with an interest which has few parallels in of sound. Besides, it includes scientific antiquity. The Vedic phonetics has been dealt in a classification of sounds according to a place of systematic manner in various siksa texts as well articulation, pitch, co-relation with musical Notes, as in the pratisaksyas, which perform various character of modifications and definition of tempo supportive and augmenting functions in the study of the Vedic relation. In the Vedic , the preservation and protection of and the quantity of and their longitude are Vedic traditions.Phonetics from the Greek(phone) determining factors. The quantity of syllables is ‘sound’ or ‘’ is the study of the physical strictly established for all the Vedas. Therefore, sound of human speech. It is concerned with the the Rg-Veda, according to tradition, contains physical properties of speech (phones) and the 432000, the Yajur-Veda 288000(2/3 of the Rg process of their physiological production, auditory - Veda) & the Sama-Veda 144000(1/3 of the reception, and neurophysiologic perception. Rg- Veda) the obvious and ‘latent’ syllables. The As the tigress carries her cubes between latent syllables contain in , long two (row of) teeth taking care last they should be on joints of complex words, in some , dropped or bitten, so should one pronounce such as ‘V’ and ’Y’. A part syllables, probably is the(Vedic) speech-sounds either be dropped or ‘hidden’ in prosaic colophons and additional bitten, so should one pronounce the(Vedic) hymns or mantras common to different . speech-sounds lest they should be dropped(i.e. Correct division into syllables of Samhitas conjoint elided) or differentiated(i.e.mispronunced). text would be not possible without the advanced (Paniniya-Shiksha, 25).The high level of of phonetics. Therefore, Shiksha has also phonetics is certified both by special treatises and the status of the Vedanga (vital part of the Veda).It the Vedic mantras themselves kept in ‘conjoint defines 64 sounds of (21 vowels, 25 reading’ () according to the special rules consonants, 8 non-syllabic, and aspirants, of phonetic joining of words and in phonetic ‘per 4 or stops, anusvara or nasalization of a word reading’ variant (Padapatha). preceding vowels, visargaù or hard aspiration, K, The ancient Indian doctrine about sounds P and pluta or lengthened 1).Their scientific of speech, their classification, , classification is made in accord with 8 and 3 rules of sound combinations and recitation fixed places of articulation. The letter three places are the Vedic texts in a form during co-related with three Vedic metres and three daily millennia. It is a circumstantial proof of existence ceremonies. All sounds are divided into five in the Vedas of the latent sense. The science of groups depending on pitch (high, low and variable, phonetics is determined in the text books as a and also nine modifications), co-relations of pitch

105 Odisha Review January - 2014 with certain musical notes, length (short, long and perceptual representation of the input it receives lengthened or pluta of three measures) and efforts during the course of communication. (initial and subsequent). Säyaëa remarks in 2. : The study of Shiksha chapter, the doctrine is necessary here, phonetics and movements of the lips, tongue, vocal in order to enable the pupil to read and pronounce tract and other speech organs. the sacred texts correctly, and thus to understand their real meaning. He remarks that the correct 3. Acoustic phonetics : The study of the pronunciation is equally required for the earlier sound waves and how they are perceived by the ceremonial portion of the Veda(karmakanda).He inner era.3 says that right pronunciation and understanding is The phonetics actually makes use of of greater importance for the philosophical part, considerations which are strictly phonemic, that because mistakes in the sacrifices and the criteria are an integral part of phonemics; and that ceremonial can be made good by penance, a description of language on any level, from while there is no Penance for a wrong phonetics to stylistic, cannot be properly evaluated understanding of philosophical principles.1 with considering its consequences on all other 4 Phonetics is the systematic study of levels. human speech-sounds. It provides means of Vedas priority has been given to Shiksha describing and classifying virtually all sounds that parts. Because all the culture and tradition of can be produced by human vocal tracts.”A critical Vedas depended upon the perfect pronunciation. observation on the treatises phonetics as well as The principal aim of Shiksha is to keep un- proves beyond doubt that the ancient interruption in sanctity and purity of Vedic . India phoneticians made a splendid attempt to The fault in pronunciation of mantra has been establish the theory of language on the strong base considered as harmful as it could not express the of philosophical quest. But in spite of this they fail real theme of mantra.5 to analyze clearly the most complicated A lot of importance was attached in mechanism of the human body involves in ancient India to correct pronunciation of the Vedic speaking speech sounds. The modern linguistics, hymns because of the brief that the Vedas were however, are much advanced and scientific in their inviolable and divine in origin. The scriptures persuit, because they have been able to utilize the proclaimed that a Sanskrit is the scientific apparatus.”2 the form of a syllable (akshara Brahman), an There is a question comes in pupils mind imperishable entity (a+kshara), revealed to the that –What does phonetic mean ? “Basically it morals for the sake of & welfare of the means phonetics is the study of the sounds of world, just as the subtle sounds that could be human speech, in one area of specialization within heard in meditation. It's medium was ether the field of linguistics. Unlike semantics, which (space), the medium of Gods. So no liberties deals with the meaning of words, phonetics is could be taken or transgression be made by the focused exclusively on the properties of speech mere mortals while changing them, without sounds and their production.” attaching unhappy consequences for themselves Within phonetics, there are three main and those for whom they were sung. As a result areas of analysis : of this belief Shiksha developed into a separate branch of study to preserve the integrity and purity 1. Auditory phonetics: The study of of the divine words and save the dharma from speech perception and how the brain forms human fallibility.

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The teaching of the Shiksha are contained called the Manduki-Shiksha or phonetics in in the ancient texts known as Pratishakhyas, each minimum. Shiksha is mentioned in Taittiriya- attached to a particular Shiksha Samhita, where the rules on Shiksha had formally providing instructions for the recitation of the their place in this chapter of the Taittiriya- hymns contained in it. The Pratishakhyas were aranyaka. Though Shiksha, the development of probably composed by many grammarians like the dhvani-, began. The word ‘Shiksha’ Saunaka before Panini and revised from time to first appeared in Taittiriya-Upanishad, in which time. varëa, , matra, bala, sama, santana has been The Shiksha Vedanga played an important incorporated and the research work on it had role in maintaining the purity and integrity of the been going on since very ancient era. In ancient Vedic tradition. Although they have lost much of time this Shiksha concept was developed to a their ancient significance, they continue to occupy great extent. All the tradition of Veda always an important place in academic study of the Vedas. depend upon the perfect pronunciation. The main For centuries they taught and continue to teach aim of Shiksha is always pronounce the purified Vedic students how to recite the Vedic hymns, Vedic mantras (rituals). Not only the wrong understand their meaning and perform the various utterance of mantras are very harmful but also it rituals and ceremonies strictly according to the is uncapable for express the real meaning. So in established procedures. Their study inculcates Shiksha, svara matra bala sama santana among its students a sense of discipline and are the important theme. The Shiksha is the respect for tradition and helps them conduct science of pronunciation of letters, accents etc. themselves in society as upholders of the Vedic remarks that, as a correct pronunciation dharma and traditional family values. is equally required for the earlier ceremonial portion of the Veda (-kanda), the Shiksha As the Veda was learnt by recitation and ought to have been inserted there. The word proper pronunciation, it was necessary to learn Shiksha is at first derived from Taittiriya Upanisad. the science of Shiksha. Shiksha means ‘to give’. And also in “The phonetic observations of Indian The was giving the Veda to his pupil by Grammarian” it is said that – uttering it.So, knowledge of Shiksha was the first necessary requirement for study of Veda , it’s “The subject of svarabhakti has been mastery depended upon its proper pronunciation exhaustively treated by Schmidt in his and recitation.It is made clear in a verse Rg-Vedic “Geschichte des Indo-germanischen vokalismus”, hymn-VII, 03 in the expression .Where the word and it is unnecessary to go over the same ground ‘Shaktasa = shaktimatah shikshyakasya’ refers again. But a few interesting points may be noted to a teacher who was possessed of the ability to here relating to the conditions and pronunciation teaching by his knowledge of the science of of Sanskrit svarabhakti which have been Shiksha, according to which he was uttering and mentioned by Indian grammarians and which do pronouncing the Vedic text and his pupils were not seem to have come to the notice of that reciting from his lips (anuvadati). scholar.” The ‘Shiksha’ or phonetics is the nose Shiksha Vedanga is related to phonetic of. The first Vedanga ‘Shiksha’ is the prime and education. In the physiology, Shiksha is primary base of all the six , which represented by the structures which compute and comprises rules regarding letters, accents, quantity, express the internal aspects of the physiology, organs, enumeration, delivery and euphonic such as its biochemical constituents, temperature, combinations.We have another reference Shiksha pressure etc. (the expression of the automic

107 Odisha Review January - 2014 nervous system). These expressions are 2. Chaturvedi, Ramamurti, Vaidikasiksa Svarupa channeled via the automic ganglia. These are 36 Vimarsah, Sampurnananda Sanskrit University, on each side of the spinal cord .7 , 1st ed. 2003. 3. , M, Srimannarayan, An Introduction to Sanskrit Linguistics, D. K. Publications, New Delhi 1984. 4. Sharma, K.L., Vedanga (A critical and comprehensive History of Vedic Literature, vol- VI), Vishveshvaranand Vedic Research Institute, Ashram, Hoshiarpur (Punjab, India), 1983. 5. Unlenbeck, C.C, A manual of Sanskrit Phonetics, Edited by – Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers pvt. Ltd. 54 Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi – 110055, 1st ed. 1898, 2nd ed. 1977. 6. Varma, Siddheswar, Critical study in Phonetics Observations of Indian Grammer, Munsiram Manoharlal, Delhi, 1961. 7. Tony Nadar, Human Physiology : Expression of Veda and the Vedic literature, pp.80-81. Journals : 1. Agarwal, Uma., “Suklayajurvediya siksaomen Ucarana Vaisistya”, Ambhriniyam, Ramesh Chandra Sukla Felicitaion Volume, editor- prakash Sharma, Aligarh, 1st ed., November 1983. 2. Kielhorn, Lorenz Franz, “Remarks on the Siksa,” Indian Antiquary-5, Reprint 1969. It is the first branch of Vedic learning 3. Singh, Maan, “Vedartha Prakriya Main siksa which played an important role in maintaining the Vedanga”, Pavamani, Quality Research Jounal, th nd rd purity and integrity of the Vedic tradition. It Part 16 , 2 and 3 volume, Svami Sampurnananda Vaidika sodha Sansthana, Gurukula Pravata occupies an important place in the academic study , Mirat, April 2001. of the Vedas. Its study includes among its students 4. Ratha, Prativa Manjari, “Prerequisite a sense of discipline and respect for tradition and Qualifications For Vedic Studies: A Desideratum helps them to conduct themselves in society as of Vedic Research” Presented in 42nd All Indian upholds of the Vedic dharma and traditional Oriental Conference, 2004 at Sampurnananda family value. This is an integral and essential part Sanskrit University, Varanasi (Summaries of Paper, of ancient Vedic education system, aimed to P. 104.) promote all-round development of the students with a better understanding of the Vedas and Vedic practices. References : Monalisa Mohanty, P.G.. Department of Sanskrit, Utkal University, Vanivihar, Bhubaneswar (PRT-Hindi & 1. Allen, William Sidney., Phonetics in Ancient India, Sanskrit), C/o-Vikash Residential School, At/Po- Oxford University Press, London, Reprint 1953. Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar.

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