Meaning and Function of Sanskrit Prepositions (Upasargas): Classical Debates and Unpublished Textual Evidence

Abstract

This study examines the semantic status of Sanskrit prepositions (upasargas) and particles (nipātas), focusing on early grammatical and philosophical debates. Beginning with Yāska’s Nirukta, it analyzes the opposing views of Śākaṭāyana, who regarded prepositions as meaning-less modifiers of nouns and verbs, and Gārgya, who asserted their independent semantic value. The paper traces subsequent developments in grammatical, exegetical, and philosophical traditions, including Pāṇini, Patañjali, and later treatises, as well as manuscript sources on upasarga meanings. It highlights how differing theories of meaning shaped Sanskrit linguistic analysis.