Bhashya

Bhashya () is a "commentary" or "exposition" of any primary or secondary text in ancient or medieval Indian literature. Common in Sanskrit literature, ''Bhashya'' is also found in other Indian languages. Bhashya are found in various fields, ranging from the Upanishads to the Sutras of Hindu schools of philosophy, from ancient medicine to music.Richa Vishwakarma and Pradip Kumar Goswami (2013), ''A review through Charaka Uttara-Tantra'', International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda, Volume 34, Issue 1, pages 17–20

The Indian tradition typically followed certain guidelines in preparing a Bhashya. These commentaries give meaning of words, particularly when they are about condensed aphoristic Sutras, supplementing the interpreted meaning with additional information on the subjects. A traditional Bhasya would, like modern scholarship, name the earlier texts (cite) and often include quotes from previous authors. The author of the Bhasya would also provide verification, acceptance or rejection of the text as interpreted, with reasons, and usually include a conclusion. The title of a commentary work sometimes has the title of the text commented on, with the suffix "-Bhashya".

Among the earliest known ''Bhashya'' are included the Maha-bhashya of Patanjali from the 2nd century BCE, and ''Sabara Bhashya'' of the Mimamsa school of Hinduism, dated to have been likely composed between 100 BCE to 200 CE, but no later than the 5th century. An example of Buddhist literature Bhashya is Vasubandhu's '' Abhidharmakośa-Bhāṣya''.

Etymology

The term ''bhashya'' literally means "speaking, talking, any work in the current, vernacular speech". The term also refers to, states Monier-Williams, any "explanatory work, exposition, explanation, commentary" that brings to light something else.Monier Monier-Williams (2002), A Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Etymologically and Philologically Arranged to cognate Indo-European Languages, Motilal Banarsidass, page 755 A ''bhashyakrit'' is the author, and these words are related to the root ''bhash'' which means "speak about, describe, declare, tell". (Cf. the productive ending ''-ology'' in English, which derives from the Greek verb λεγῶ (legō), meaning "speak".)

Discussion

A typical Bhashya would be an interpretation of a Sutra or other classical work word by word. It can also consist of word by word translations and the individual viewpoint of the commentator or Bhashyakara.

There are numerous Bhashyas available on various Sanskrit and non-Sanskrit works. A few examples are Brahma Sutra Bhashya by Sri Madhvacharya and Sri Adi Shankara, Gita Bhashya and Sri Bhashya by Sri Ramanuja and Mahabhashya by Patañjali

See also

* Works of Madhvacharya
* Works of Adi Shankara

Adhyasa Bhashyam audio of Adisankaracharya (Dr.Goli)

References

{{reflist

External links

Sri Bhashya
Ramanuja
Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhasya
GN Jha (Translator)

Literary terminology
Sanskrit literature

Sanskrit words and phrases