Reviews
By Hariprasad G. Shastri, Niharranjan Roy, Kshitish Chandra Chatterjee
Summary
The *CIHHANDOGYAMANTRABHASYA* is a pre-Savarna commentary on select Vedic mantras by Gunavisnu, edited by Durgamohan Bhattacharyya, with critical notes, indices, and appendices. The text discusses the historical transmission of Vedic recitation, emphasizing its oral tradition until manuscripts emerged around the 11th century CE. It highlights the challenges of Vedic study, including the need for precise recitation, correct intonation, and the absence of manuscript use. The work also explores the evolution of Vedic interpretation, noting the rise of commentaries due to the language's obsolescence and the later criticism that reciting without understanding render
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Conclusion
This document highlights the evolution of Vedic interpretation from oral tradition to scholarly commentary, emphasizing the shift triggered by the obsolescence of Sanskrit. The detailed analysis of Gunavisnu’s commentary on Sama-Veda mantras underscores the historical significance of such works in preserving Vedic meaning for later generations. The text also identifies key figures like Nugadicarya, Niriyana, and Haliyudha, positioning Gunavisnu’s contributions within a broader intellectual lineage. The study reveals how regional Brahmin communities adapted Vedic practices, particularly in Bengal, and demonstrates the enduring impact of these commentaries on ritual and linguistic scholarship. The findings emphasize the interplay between linguistic decline, scholarly innovation, and cultural preservation in shaping Vedic hermeneutics.