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VIDYĀBHŪSANA : UMĀSVĀTI
129
Śabda
Sabda,& the verbal, is the method of correct nomenclature. It is of three kinds, viz. Sāmprata, the suitable, Samabhirūdha, the subtle, and Evam-bhūta, the such-like. In Sanskrit a jar is called ghata, kumbha or kalasa, and these are synonymous terms. Samprata consists in using a word in its conventional sense, even if that sense is not justified by its derivation. For example the word "Satru”, according to its derivation, means "destroyer”, but its conventional meaning is “enemy". Samabhirūdha consists in making nice distinctions between synonyms, selecting in each case the word which on etymological grounds is the most appropriate. Evam-bhūta consists in applying to things such names only as their actual condition justifies. Thus a man should not be called Sakra (strong), unless he actually possesses the Sakti (strength) which the name implies.
8. Umāsvāti in his bhāsya on 1.35 observes :
yathārthābhidhānam sabdah nāmādişu prasiddha-pūrvāc chabdād arthe pratyayah sâmprataḥ satsu arthesu asamkramah samabhirudhah vyañjanärthayor evam bhūta iti
(Tattvārthādhigama-sūtra, p. 32).
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