Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c6.s5.t15.1

c6.s5.t15.1

Even though, Bhartṛhari with his *Vākyapadīyam* provided a sound footing to Vyākaraṇa as a philosophical system, an intense debate continued for a few centuries pertaining to the acceptability of Vyākaraṇa as a philosophy. Somānanda, the author of *Śivadṛṣṭi*, strongly rejected the idea of Vyākaraṇa as a philosophical system. Vyākaraṇa should occupy itself with accuracy of language and not with pursuit of *vijñāna*.¹³⁵ The main arguments of the opponents of the view of Vyākaraṇa as *darśana* were:
1. Vyākaraṇa is meant to teach correct usages, it is not expected to indulge in philosophizing.
2. Vyākaraṇa does not have any epistemology and ontology.
3. A mere study of language cannot lead to *mokṣa* which is the purpose of *darśana*.