A Note on the Śabdaniṟṇaya/ŚabdanirŇaya
Summary
The text discusses administrative details of Sher Shah Suri's empire, noting debates around the number of parganas (13,000 vs. 113,000) and officials (70,000 civil/military, plus semi-officials like Muqaddams and Patwaris). It critiques Makhanlal Mukherji's claim that Appayya Diksita misidentified the *Nyayanirnaya* as Prakasatman's *Sabdanirnaya*, arguing instead that Appayya referred to Prakasatman's *Sarirakanyayasamgraha* (or *Nyayanirnaya*), which aligns with cited passages in the *Siddhantalesasamgraba*. The author emphasizes that Mukherji overlooked a key reference in the *Siddhantalesasamgraba* and that Appayya Diksita’s identification remains accurate. The analysis underscores the need for careful textual comparison, highlighting the *Sarirakanyayasamgraha* as the correct work linked to Appayya’s references, not the *Sabdanirnaya*.
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Conclusion
This analysis resolves the confusion surrounding Appayya Diksita’s reference to the *Nyayanirnaya* by demonstrating its identification with Prakasatman’s *Sarirakanyayasamgraha* or *Nyayanirnaya*, a concise exposition of Nyaya principles derived from Brahmasutra commentaries. The key lies in the overlooked second reference in the *Siddhantalesasamgraha*, which aligns with passages in Prakasatman’s work, confirming the *Nyayanirnaya*’s focus on Adhikaranas and its distinction from Vivaranicarya’s composition. The oversight in prior scholarship highlights the importance of comprehensive textual cross-referencing, as demonstrated by Suryanarayana Sastri’s edited *Siddhantalesasamgraha*. The findings underscore the need for rigorous source verification in attributing philosophical works, correcting misinterpretations, and affirming Diksita’s scholarly accuracy in citing Prakasatman’s *Nyayanirnaya* rather than conflating it