Some Folk Etyomologies in Anuyogdwara Sutra

SR No.: 269102
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: H C Bhayani
Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan
Total Pages: 4
Language: English
Classification: Article & 0_not_categorized
File Size: 90 KB

Page 2

अनुसंधान - १७•44
The illustrations are: f 'buffalow' is so called because he sleeps on the ground (मह्यां शेते) भ्रमर honey-bee' is so called because it wanders and drones (भ्रमति रौति च) मुसल 'pestle' is so called becuase it rises up frequently (ggelufa). of the wood-apple fruit' is so called because it hangs like a monkey (कपि+स्थ) चिक्खल्ल 'liquid mud' is so called because it makes sound like fa and it is low in the middle ( खल्ल). उलूक 'owl' is so called because its ears are high (उर्ध्व कर्ण ). मेखला ' girdle' is so called because it is a row of मेख (?).
4. Even if Arya Rakṣita may not be author of the Anuyogadvära, there is no doubt about the fact that its author was highly learned and well-versed in Sanskrit. Hence we are intrigued with the structural division or etymologies of the words like सकुंत, समुग्ग, समुद्द, पलाल, सउलिया, पलास, इंदगोव that he has given just like a common man, who being ignorant of grammar or etymology gives a fanciful etymology to match the meaning-what is known as 'folk etymology'. In every language such fanciful etymologies are current. For example in Modern Gujarati 'mother's sister' is explained by some as - 'like the mother'. Actually it is derived as Sk. मातुःस्वसृका, Pk माउंस्सिया, Old Guj माउसी माशी. भत्रीजो 'nephew' is explained as the third danger', while actually it is derived as Sk. भ्रात्रीयः, PK भत्रिज्जओ, and then through भत्रीजड, भत्रीजो. टपाली postman' is facetiously explained 2 टप दईने आली जाय ते 'He who delivers speedily', when etymologically it is connected with halts at intervals in the path'. In Hindi the following doggerel is well-known---- रंगी को नारंगी कहे, चलती को कहे गाडी । गंदे को साफी कहे, ऐसे लोक अनाड़ी ||
(Variants खारे को मीठा कहे; वाढी को कहे पाली पाली को वाढी कहे ). In this नारंगी 'orange' is divided as नारंगी 'not coloured ' when in fact it is coloured. s is 'cart, car' taken as a homonym for 'buried'. The piece of cloth used to cover