Universität Wien

142312 UE On the nature of words and their teaching (2023S)

The opening section of the Mahabhasya by Patanjali

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 24 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 06.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 20.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 27.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 17.04. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 24.04. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 08.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 15.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 22.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 05.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 12.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 19.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 26.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course will be dedicated to the reading and analysis of a genuinely canonical piece of Sanskrit literature, namely, the introduction (the "Paspaśāhnika") to Patañjali's "Great Commentary" (Mahābhāṣya) on Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī (lit. "Collection of Eight Chapters"). Unlike other parts of the text, this opening section is less concerned with the technicalities of grammatical derivations and dwells instead on many essential and truly trend-setting questions that occupied South Asian language philosophers in the centuries to come:

- What are words?
- What is the use of studying grammar?
- What are the methods of teaching grammar?
- What are the basic linguistic assumptions of Pāṇinian grammar:
- Do words stand for an entire class or, rather, designate individuals?
- Are words eternal or created by the speakers?
- What is more important, the actual use of language or their grammatical analysis?
- Can grammar analyze words that are actually not in use?
- What is "grammar"?

In addition to the study of the actual text of the Mahābhāṣya, on several instances, we will turn our attention to its earliest commentary, the Mahābhāṣyadīpikā by Bhartṛhari, and let it guide us through some of the most ancient interpretations of Patañjali's language philosophy.

Assessment and permitted materials

Preparation of the text passages to be translated for the lessons, active participation in the course, written exercises.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Oral participation (translation and analysis of the text passages and participation in the discussions) and written homework each account for 50% of the total grade.

Examination topics

Reading list

Primary literature (to be used in the class):
- Kielhorn, Franz, ed. 1880. The Vyākaraṇa-Mahābhāṣya of Patañjali. Volume I. Bombay: Goverment Central Book Depot.
- Bronkhorst, Johannes, ed. 1987. Mahābhāṣyadīpikā of Bhartṛhari. Fascicule Iv: Āhnika I. Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.
- Śāstri, Bhārgava, ed. 1987. The Vyākaraṇamahābhāṣya of Patañjali, With the Commentary Bhāṣyapradīpa of Kaiyaṭa Upādhyāya, and Supercommentary Bhāṣyapradīpoddyota of Nāgeśa Bhaṭṭa. Volume I: Navāhnika (on the aṣṭādhyāyī, Chpater I, Quarter I). Delhi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Paristhan.

Introductory readings (further literature will be introduced during the class):
- Cardona, George. 1997. “Appendix I. The Status and Purposes of Grammar.” In Pāṇini, His Work and Its Traditions: Background and introduction, 543–56. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.
- Cardona, George. 1997. “Appendix II. Terms for the Language Described and for the Grammar and Its Components.” In Pāṇini, His Work and Its Traditions: Background and introduction, 557–76. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.
- Kunjuni Raja, K. 1990. “Philosophical Elements in Patañjali’s Mahābhāṣya.” In The Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, Volume 5: The Philosophy of the Grammarians, 115–19. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
- Wezler, Albrecht. 1994. “Once Again on Patañjali’s Definition of a Word (Studies in Patañjali’s Mahābhāṣya V).” Wiener Zeitschrift für die Kunde Südasiens / Vienna Journal of South Asian Studies 38, ORBIS INDICUS: Gerhardo Oberhammer lustrum XIII. exigenti ab amicis discipulisque oblatus 173–89.

Association in the course directory

MASK6d (UE)

Last modified: Tu 07.02.2023 16:48