Question

In the context of Sabda-shakti, what is the difference between Abhidha and Lakshana?

• A. Abhidha gives literal meaning, Lakshana gives secondary or implied meaning
• B. Abhidha gives grammatical meaning, Lakshana gives phonetic meaning
• C. Abhidha gives metaphorical meaning, Lakshana gives literal meaning
• D. Abhidha refers to sound, Lakshana refers to writing

Hint:

Abhidha → Primary meaning
Lakshana → Secondary or implied meaning

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:
In Sanskrit linguistic philosophy, Śabda-śakti refers to the power of words to convey meaning. Classical thinkers identified different modes through which a word expresses meaning.
Step 1:Understanding Abhidha.}}
Abhidha refers to the primary or direct meaning of a word. It is the literal meaning conveyed by a word according to conventional usage. Example: \[ \text{“Ganga”} \rightarrow \text{The river Ganges} \]
Step 2:Understanding Lakshana.}}
Lakṣaṇā refers to a secondary or implied meaning that arises when the primary meaning cannot logically apply in a given context. Example: \[ \text{“Gangaayam ghoshah”} \] Here the literal meaning “a village in the Ganges river” is impossible, so the implied meaning becomes “a village on the bank of the Ganges.”
Step 3:Difference between the two.}}

• Abhidha → Direct, primary meaning
• Lakshana → Indirect, secondary meaning derived from context

Conclusion:
Thus, Abhidha expresses the literal meaning of a word, whereas Lakshana conveys a secondary or contextual meaning.