ISSN 0975-4067 KIRANAVALI Journal of Sanskrit Research Foundation The New Trivandrum Sanskrit Series Vol.1. Book.1 July-September 2009 Oy Sanskrit Research Foundation FT ThiruvananthapuramThe Sphota Theory of Meaning With Special Reference to The Vakyapadiya of Bhartrhari Dr.M. Manimohanan The sphota theory, or the Sabdadvaita doctrine of Bhartrhari, is at the zenith of the philosophic views of the Indian grammarians. The doctrine of sphota described by Bhartrhari with the aid of the five means to valid knowledge,’ treats the indivisible vakya - sphota (sentence meaning), the absolute truth. According to this grammatico-philosophic truth, knowledge takes its origin through the medium of vak or language. The production of sound (Sabdavirbhava), comprehension (grahana) and communication (vinimaya), are the concepts that inspired this great grammarian — philosopher, whose analytical study paved the way for the intellectual doctrine namely the sphota -vada. From the linguistic point of view, this speech principle is a masterly exposition by Bhartrhari, which logically analyses the central idea of semantics Sphota — Meaning and Definition The term ‘sphota’ is a Sanskrit word and it is derived from the root ‘sphut’. The verbal form ‘sphutati’ (sphut-a-ti) means ‘to burst’ open with sound, explode, split, blossom, disclose, etc? Dr.M.Manimohanan is a reader in the Department of Sanskrit Vyakarana, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Presently working at Thiruvananthapuram Regional Centre8 Kirmavali Dr.M.Manimohanan Hence the noun form ‘sphotah’? means ‘the process of bursting, opening, expansion disclosure’, etc. Thus, it can be defined as “the eternal and imperishable element of sounds and words and the real vehicle of the idea which bursts or flashes on the mind when a sound is uttered.” In the light of this etymological description of sphota, we may lay out its definition in a simple diagram. s W.s W.M S- Sphota / Sabda / word / symbol W.S- Word sound Patafijali, the author of Vyakarana Mahabhasya states : “Sabda or word is seen as having the two aspects of sphota and dvani (sound), which are related as follows: sphota represents what is sabda proper, whereas sound is only a quality serving to manifest the ‘sphota’® Patafijali defines sphota thus “Sphiitatyartho asmad”, i.e from which meaning is exploded. Bhartrhari employs several technical terms : ‘Sabda or sphota; dhvani and nada. By Sabda and or sphota, Bhartrhari refers to that inner unity which conveys the meaning. Kondabhatta or Kaundabhatta (1650 A.D)’, a teacher of sphota doctrine, states that the term ‘sphota’ etymologically means “that from which the meaning bursts forth” or “that which is revealed by sounds.” NageSabhatta’ (18" century A.D) in his ‘sphota vada’ explains ‘sphota’ as “that one from which the meaning bursts out,