Sabdajyotsna: Of Pandit Bhisksharam (a Sanskrit Grammar)

Pt. Bihiksharam (1887 1975) composed the Sabdajyotsna with a view to teach Sanskrit grammar to an ordinary student in a simple style. The author adopts pratyahara, anuvritti, anubandha, etc. in his work to impart the abridgement on the pattern of Ashtadhyayi and Pratishakhyas. For this purpose, the author tries his best to simplify the tough process of learning Sanskrit grammar. The sutras of the Shabdajyotsna are composed subject wise (according to prakarana) on the pattern of prakriya works. Only samjna- and sandhi-prakaranas of this work were published in 1958. The rest of the text in Devanagari remained in the form of manuscript lying unattended. The script, whatever traced, was made available to Prof. Shri Krishan Sharma for the editing purposes by his grandson. However, the samasa-prakarana and some portions of taddhita-prakarana still remain untraceable. In spite of some minor gaps, the work deserves recognition and appreciation in the academic circle. The author of the Sabdajyotsna aimed at and indeed succeeded in fully exposing the rules of Sanskrit grammar in lucid and clear diction. The work, a pioneering attempt of its kind, may very well be considered as a significant contribution to the tradition of Sanskrit grammar, benefiting students, teachers and researchers alike.