Question

"This entire threefold world would have been covered in blinding darkness, if the light called 'Word' (Shabda) did not shine throughout the universe." To whom is this statement attributed?

• A. Acharya Bhartrihari
• B. Acharya Dandin
• C. Acharya Panini
• D. Acharya Nagesha

Hint:

Dandin's Kavyadarsha starts with the glorification of "Shabda-Jyoti." If a quote mentions language as a "light" dispelling "darkness in three worlds," it is almost always Dandin.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question pertains to the philosophy of language and its role in human civilization as expressed in Classical Sanskrit literature. The quote emphasizes that without language (Shabda), knowledge would be impossible, and the world would remain in a state of ignorance, metaphorically described as 'darkness' (Tamas). This thought is a cornerstone of both Sanskrit Poetics (Alankara Shastra) and Grammar (Vyakarana).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The original Sanskrit verse is:
"idamaṃdhantamaḥ kṛtsnaṃ jāyeta bhuvanatrayam |
yadi śabdāhvayaṃ jyotirāsaṃsāraṃ na dīpyate ||"
This verse is found in the first chapter (Pariccheda) of the Kavyadarsha, written by Acharya Dandin. Dandin was a celebrated 7th-8th century poet and aesthetician. In the beginning of his work, he justifies the importance of studying poetry and language by stating that the 'Word' is the eternal light (Jyoti) that illuminates all existence.
Dandin's argument is that human cognition is bound to words. We cannot perceive an object or understand a concept without a corresponding name. Therefore, if the light of language were removed, the three worlds (Earth, Atmosphere, Heaven) would sink into a "blinding darkness" because we would lose the ability to differentiate, categorize, and share experiences.
Why not the others? Acharya Bhartrihari (Option A) also glorifies the word in his Vakyapadiya, calling it 'Shabda-Brahman'. However, his phrasing is different and more metaphysical. Acharya Panini (Option C) wrote the rules of grammar but did not write such poetic panegyrics on language in his Ashtadhyayi. Acharya Nagesha Bhatta (Option D) is a later grammarian who quotes Dandin but is not the author of this original verse.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The quote belongs to Acharya Dandin from his work Kavyadarsha.