On MIA *lagg* Used as a ‘Vector’ Verb
By Harivallabh Chunilal Bhayani
Summary
The article "On MIA lagg Used as a ‘Vector’ Verb" by H.C. Bhayani addresses the meager historical information regarding the verb lag- or lagg-, used as a second verb in compound verbs, which are variously termed 'operator', 'explicator', or 'vector' in New Indo-Aryan languages. The author notes that early uses of Pk. lagg- appear in Prakrit, Apabhramsa, and Sanskrit texts, specifically from early Jain literature. The main argument is that the early history of this verb usage provides significant evidence for understanding the development of similar construction-types in New Indo-Aryan languages. The evidence consists of numerous cited instances from early texts. The first construction type involves lagg- used with the imperfective personal forms of the first verb, with examples drawn from the Vasudevahimdi-Madhyama-khanda, Paumacariya, Ritthanemi Cariya, Kathakosa, Mulasuddhi-tika, Srngaramanjari-katha, Pancakhyanaka, and others, spanning from the 8th to the 12th century. The second construction type features lagg- used with the infinitive of purpose of the first verb, with examples from the Paumacariya and Kathakosa. The author also notes numerous instances from the Mixed Sanskrit of the Jain Prabandhas from the 14th-15th centuries. The article discusses that both constructions are attested up to the 12th century and appear in the same text, such as the Apabhramsa epic Paumacariya. Later, only the second construction survives in New Indo-Aryan languages. The first construction is particularly significant for providing an early example of the origin of Hindi future forms in -ga, derived from a combination of imperfect personal forms and ga. Additionally, it is noted that the Gujarati Finite Present, formed with an auxiliary, stands apart because both the main verb and the auxiliary have personal endings. The sources discussed include works edited by H.C. Bhayani, A.N. Upadhye, Kalpalata Munshi, Amrutlal Bhojak, Jinavijay Muni, R.S. Tomar, and H.L. Jain, as well as reference works by Colin P. Masica and R.N. Vale. The article is a revised version of a note in Bhayani's 1988 work, and the author thanks Prof. Michael Shapiro for comments on the draft.
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Conclusion
The article examines the historical development of the verb *lagg-* as a 'vector' verb in Middle Indo-Aryan (MIA) and New Indo-Aryan (NIA) languages, based on occurrences from Prakrit, Apabhramsa, and Sanskrit texts. The key finding is that *lagg-* was used in two distinct constructions with the imperfective personal forms of the main verb and with the infinitive of purpose, both of which are attested up to the 12th century, often coexisting within the same text. The author highlights the significance of the first construction, noting its influence on the development of the Hindi future tense in -ga and the unique structure of the Gujarati finite present, where both the main verb and auxiliary bear personal endings. Ultimately, this study provides crucial early evidence for the evolution of NIA compound verb structures and the semantic shifts of inceptive verbs.