THE SPHOṬA OF LANGUAGE AND THE EXPERIENCE OF ŚABDATATTVA

Abstract

Bhartṛhari, the Indian linguistic Philosopher from the Grammar tradition, conceives Reality as a Word-Principle or Word-Essence (Śabdatattva). In Bhartṛhari’s view the question of language is essentially interwoven into the experience of the question of ultimate Reality – Śabdatattva. Hence, a thinking of Language is simultaneously a thinking of Śabdatattva. For Bhartṛhari the language we speak is the medium of the self-expression of the ultimate Reality communicated through all meaning-bearing words. The real breaks forth (sphuṭ) through the medium of speech (śabda). This śabda- sphoṭa is not merely a means to truth or reality but is the Truth and Reality. The awareness of this fact leads one to the realization of the meaningfulness of Reality which is an experience of the deeper unity of the essence of language-Śabdatattva. This paper is an attempt to look into the concept of language and experience of the Reality of language as has been envisioned by Bhartṛhari.