Question

The literal or denoted meaning (Vachyartha) is understood through which power?

• A. Lakshana
• B. Vyanjana
• C. Abhidha
• D. Tatparya

Hint:

Always associate 'Vachyartha' with 'Abhidha' and 'Sanketa'. These three are the pillars of literal communication in Sanskrit linguistics. If the question asks for the "primary" (Mukhya) power, it is always Abhidha.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Every word acts as a signifier for a concept. The most basic, direct, and universally accepted relationship between a word and its meaning is called the 'denotation' or the literal sense. In Sanskrit semantics, this literal meaning is called 'Vachyartha' or 'Mukhyartha'. The specific function of the word that bridges the sound to this primary meaning is the focus of this question.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The power that conveys the 'Vachyartha' is Abhidha. It is defined by Mammata as the function that gives the meaning that is fixed by convention ('Sanketa').

Key characteristics of Abhidha include:
1. Priority: It is the first power to operate when a word is heard. Without the understanding of the literal meaning, the secondary (Lakshana) or tertiary (Vyanjana) meanings cannot be accessed.
2. Sanketa (Convention): Abhidha relies on 'Sanketa', which is the social or linguistic agreement that 'this sound refers to this object.' This convention is usually learned through childhood from elders, dictionaries, or grammar.
3. Stability: Vachyartha is relatively stable. While suggested meanings change with context and the sensitivity of the reader, the literal meaning remains the same across various contexts.

Why other options are incorrect:
- Lakshana yields the 'Lakshyartha' (Indicated meaning) and only works when Abhidha fails.
- Vyanjana yields the 'Vyangyartha' (Suggested meaning) which is hidden and artistic.
- Tatparya is a controversial fourth power proposed by some schools (like the Abhihitanvaya-vada) to explain how individual words combine to form a sentence's overall intent, but it is not the power for the literal meaning of individual words.

Therefore, in the structural hierarchy of Sahitya-shastra, Abhidha is the "gatekeeper" of language that provides the foundational literal sense.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The power through which the literal or denoted meaning (Vachyartha) is understood is Abhidha. Thus, Option (C) is the correct answer.