Indian Theories of Verbal Comprehension and Hermeneutics

The present volume, Indian theories of verbal comprehension and hermeneutics, contains 21 articles discussing different aspect of Indian theories of verbal comprehension and hermeneutics. Hermeneutics, as is well known, is the art and science of interpretation. India has a rich tradition of hermeneutics. Verbal comprehension which naturally forms a part of hermeneutics, was a hot subject of discussion for not only philosophers but also for poeticians. It is Mimamsa, also called as Vakyasastra , which contributed much for developing theories regarding verbal comprehension. Mimamsaka-s held that ‘an action, or the deed of prompting the listener to act’ (bhavana) is the central core of a sentence-meaning. Naiyayika-s especially of the Navyanyaya phase have also made a notable contribution to the field. They hold that the object denoted in the nominative case is the central core or verbal cognition (prathamantarthamukhyavisesyakasabdabodha). Grammarians also have put their might in developing theories of verbal comprehension. Bhartrhari’s ideas and theories regarding are bafflingly novel and original even to modern linguists and philosophers.