The Sandhabhase and Sandhavacana

P. C. Bagchi

The Sandhabhase and Sandhavacana

Vol. 6 · No. 2June - 1930pp. 390–396English

Summary

This article elucidates the terms ‘sandhābhāṣā’ and ‘sandhavacana’, which occur in tantric Buddhist literature. Drawing on Tibetan translations and Sanskrit commentaries, the author explains that sandhābhāṣā refers to ‘intentional language’—symbolic or coded speech used to conceal esoteric teachings—while sandhavacana denotes similar enigmatic instruction. He cites passages from the Hevajra‑tantra and the Prajñopāyaviniscaya‑siddhi, showing how tantric masters used enigmatic language to convey teachings only to initiated disciples. The article compares Chinese and Tibetan translations, highlighting interpretive differences and clarifying that these terms are not synonymous with ordinary allegory but refer specifically to the secret style of tantric scripture. The doctrine summarised includes references to the union of wisdom and method (prajñā and upāya) embodied in Vajrayāna practice. By collating manuscript variants and translations, the author aims to refine our understanding of esoteric Buddhist terminology.

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Conclusion

The article concludes that sandhābhāṣā and sandhavacana designate deliberately obscure modes of expression in tantric texts. Recognising their technical meaning is crucial for interpreting Vajrayāna literature and avoiding mistranslation.

Key passages

Chosen by AI from the article's text. Each one is checked word for word against the text before it is shown.

“Thus from the argument rendered above it may be safely concluded that the Rg-vedic *Ayaly’ gives શ clear preference to the con-ception of ‘iron and steel’ to anything else, which proves the existence of firon and steel’ in that far remote period of antiquity”
“The Hevajratantra, ત canonical text of the Vajrayiana, not yet much studied, contains a chapter on the Samdiadhasi, 11 gives घाट clues to the interpretation of many symbolical werds (Sandhdvacana) used in the Vajrayina and Sakajayira literature”
“The Lord explains some doctrines in the Sandhabhigs. The passage 15 faith-fully transcribed in the Chinese translation (13/d., p. 754 11-33)”

Works cited in this article

Historical Quarterly (128, pp. 2871)
Saddharma-Pundarika
Caryicaryavintécaya
Hevajratantra
Prajfiopayaviniscaya-siddhi of Anangavajra

Discussed in this article

People

M. Shahidullah
Manindranath Banerjee
Prof. Vidhusekhara Sastri
Mahimahopadhyaya H. P. Sastri
Fa-hu
Dr. B. Bhattacharyya

Places

Nepal Darbar Library

Texts & works

Saddharma-pundarika 6
Hevajratantra
Hevajra-sarvatantraniding-sandhabhasi nimea patalah

Dynasties, sects & groups

Vajrayana 4

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In this issue

Vol. 6 · No. 2

205–228The Trustworthiness of the MahavamsaWilhelm Geiger 229–243Sir Eyre Coote and the Question of Military Command in the Carnatic War (1780-83)A. P. Das Gupta 244–260The Determination of the Relative Strength of a State and the Vyasanas 261–264The Dasarajna BattleKshetresachandra Chattopadhyaya 265–271The Administration of the Delhi Empire in the Pre-Mughal PeriodJogindra Nath Chowdhuri 271–283The Caste of Candragupta Maurya 284–289Ravana and His TribeG. Ramadas 290–309When Was the Gommata Image at Sravana-Belgola Set Up?A. Venkatasubbiah 309–314Hyder Ali's FleetSurendra Nath Sen 315–333Sraddha and Bhakti in Vedic LiteratureMrinal Das Gupta 334–344Taranatha's History of Buddhism in India 345–363The Guna-Doctrine in BharataPrakash Chandra Lahiri 364–372Antiquities of AssamSarbeswar Sarma Kataki 373–375Origin of the Lotus (So-Called Bell-) CapitalAnanda Kentish Coomaraswamy 376–377514 Digambara Jaina Stupas at MathuraKamta Prasad Jain 377A Note on Kicaka-VadhaSushil Kumar De 378–383A Further Note on the Svetambara and Digambara Sects of the JainsKamta Prasad Jain 384–389A Note on Haritah AyasahManindra Nath Banerji 390–396The Sandhabhase and SandhavacanaP. C. BagchiCurrent article 397–416ReviewsSatkari Mookherjree, Sushil Kumar De, Nalinaksha Dutt, Kalhana 417–422Select Contents of Oriental Journals

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