Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Maheshwara / Shiva Sutrani


     
      Maaheshwara Sutrani along with Panini's Ashtadhyayi is an example of how human genius when shaped by divine inspiration gives rise to an outstanding creation

During Panini's time, the existing Sanskrit Grammar rules had already begun to become haphazard and confusing. It was Panini's desire to compile, codify and compose the rules of Sanskrit Grammar in such a way that it would remain undisturbed by the ravages of time. Till eternity, it should remain akshara , ananta. Panini went into meditation to seek Lord Dakshinamoorthy- the Adi Guru 's help.

There are some moments which come in history, when there is a perfect assimilation of human aspiration and Divine Grace. This was one such moment.

When Panini was in meditation, Lord Shiva appeared before him and played the damaru 14 times  in a specific manner.

That was all. 


Just damaru sounds.

But, for Panini, the genius, those sounds were more than sufficient. For a student/ devotee like Panini and a teacher like Mahadev, there is no need for long winded explanations, lectures and treatises. All the teacher has to do is give a hint, an indication- and- if the student is smart enough, he will understand what is to be understood.

For the lesser beings, what Shiva played would have only sounded like random drum beats- but- Panini instinctively grasped their enormous significance.

Those drum beats were not random sounds. They carried within them- which only Panini could hear- certain Aksharas of the Sanskrit alphabet.

The manner in which Lord Shiva played the Damaru indicated the way in which the aksharas should be arranged.

Those drum beats formed the Maaheshwara / Shiva Sutras which gave Panini the basis on which he could formulate the rules of Sanskrit Grammar.

The Maaheshwara Sutrani are as follows: 
  1. अ इ उ ण् 
  2. ऋ ऌ क् 
  3. ए ओ ङ्
  4. ऐ औ च् 
  5. ह य व रट् 
  6. ल ण् 
  7. ञ म ङ ण न म् 
  8. झ भ ञ 
  9. घ ढ ध ष्    
  10. ज ब ग ड द श् 
  11. ख फ छ ठ थ च ट त व् 
  12. क प य् 
  13. श ष स र् 
  14. ह ल

You can listen to an audio rendition (with the damaru sound) of the Maheshwara Sutrani here

http://ancientindians.wordpress.com/vedangas/vyakarana/maheswara-sutras-2/