Question

What is the technical term for the 'inducer' or the power of a word to convey meaning in Sanskrit grammar?

• A. Shabda
• B. Shakti
• C. Sphota
• D. Vritti

Hint:

{Shakti = Power of a word to denote meaning}.
A key concept in Sanskrit grammar and semantics.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: In Sanskrit grammar and Indian philosophy of language, the ability of a word to convey its meaning is explained through the concept of Shakti. It refers to the semantic power or capacity of a word to denote an object or idea.
Step 1:Meaning of Shakti.
The term {Shakti} literally means power or capacity. In linguistic theory, it denotes the inherent ability of a word to produce meaning.
Step 2:Role in Sanskrit semantics.
According to traditional Sanskrit grammarians and philosophers, words convey meaning because of this inherent semantic power called Shakti.
Step 3:Relation with sentence meaning.
Through the Shakti of individual words, combined with grammatical relations, the listener understands the overall meaning of a sentence ({Sabdabodha}). Thus, the technical term for the power of a word to convey meaning is Shakti.