The University of Nalanda c9.12

c9.12

To resume the history of the name Nālandā. Prof. Beal has put forward one etymological analysis of the name suggested by Hiuen Tsiang's interpretation.² In a footnote on the phrase ‘charity without intermission’, he says, “The word Nālandā would thus appear to be derived from *Na-alam-dā*, not giving enough,” or not having enough to give. But this interpretation rather goes against the one given by the traveller though it is quite correct literally. If, however, we take *na-alam-dā* as an interrogative sentence, requiring a positive or affirmative reply: *alam dātum* (for *dā*), viz., that there is sufficient to give, we can say that the phrase *na-alam-dātum* (for *dā*) though negative, emphatically brings out a positive reply that (the place) was (rich) enough to provide (for all). The position of *na* in the sentence *alam-dātum na* is not so much objectionable because it can as well be put in the front: *na-alam-dātum*, because in Sanskrit the position of words does not matter so much as the sense is conveyed by the emphasis put on the words, which in the present case would naturally be put on the word *na*.