A Study of Some Phonetic Phenomena in Rgveda-Pratisakhya (An Old and Rare Book- Only 1 Quantity Available)

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The Minor Research Project entitled 'A study of some phonetic phenomena in Rgveda Pratisakhya" has come to an end. I am thankful to the UGC for providing me financial assistance for undertaking the project. I have worked on the project for two years and have consulted all the available data necessary in connection with my work. The project relates to a study of some important phonetic phenomena in the Rgveda-Pratisakhya. In dealing with this problem I have not only studied RP, but other Pratiśakhyas and Siksa-works as well, but for a comparative study have also discussed this topic in the light of linguistics. The first chapter gives a detailed analysis of classification of alphabetic sounds and at the same time stresses their importance in the realm of Sanskrit phonetics. In the second chapter, an exhaustive study of the mode of formation of alphabetic sounds has been presented with all its details. The third chapter is concerned with the quantity of different sounds. Here the quantity of vowels, consonants, Anusvara and Svarabhakti has been dealt with in a detailed manner This chapter has a peculiarity of its own as it treats with the syllabic quantity of sacred exclamation 'Om', also known as Pranava. Accents play an important part in the recitation of Vedic verses. Different kinds of Vedic accents have been thoroughly discussed in chapter IV. The last chapter deals with the various faults in the pronunciation of sounds. Here defects in the utterance of vowels, consonants as well as accents have been taken into account.

The treatise consists of five chapters. Some important phonetic observations of the ancient grammarians have been studied in the short compass of this work in the light of researches carried out in the fields of Siksa and modern linguistics.

In writing this project I have been immensely benefited by the pioneer works of Whitney in this field. I am also indebted to my predecessors who have done a lot of research work in this branch of learning I have utilised their works and have tried my best to give expression to my original thinking. I have tried in my own humble way but whether I have succeeded in my attempt or not is for the posterity to judge.

In this connection I am deeply indebted to Prof. Dr. Ramaranjan Mukherjee, former Vice-Chancellor, Burdwan University and Rabindra Bharati University and former Chancellor, Tirupati Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapith who has been kind enough to recommend my name to the UGC for the award of the Minor Research Project. Without his help and co-operation, it would not have been possible for myself to embark on this academic venture. I am also thankful to the authorities of Jadavpur University for providing me the necessary assistance needed in the execution of the project. Last but not the least, thanks are also due to my colleagues of the Department of Sanskrit who have always lent me unstinted help and constant encouragement in finishing my work. I also offer my sincere thanks to Sri K. Chakrabarty who has made a neat typescript out of my own handscript.