Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c8.s4.t2.1

v1.c8.s4.t2.1

Nighantu (ni-jian-tu/尼犍茶) was an ancient work on Indian lexicology which is equal to modern synonym dictionary. Nighantu had multiple names such as Ni-jian-tu ('尼犍茶') and Ni-jian-tu ('尼建图') in Chinese translation with different characters for the last syllable 'tu'. This work of Nighantu had five chapters that generally include the list of synonyms, homonyms and names of gods and deities etc. It was one of the ancient linguistic works and was the fundamental reference book for Brahmins to learn Sanskrit. It has been recorded in the 54th volume of *A Treasury of Mahayana Sutras Selections* (translated by Xuanzang) that Brahmins were proficient in linguistics, literature and other classics such as *Nighantu*, *Ketubha Shastra*, *Shastra of Classification*, *Itihasa*, and the *Vyākarana of Five Attributes and Lokayata Shastra* etc. The fourth volume of the *Lalitavistara Sutra* translated by Divakara in the Tang Dynasty listed various kinds of miscellaneous techniques and talents that includes linguistic books such as *Nighantu*, *Nirukta* and *Siksa* etc.