A Sidelong Glance – Different Types of Commentaries

Different Types of Commentaries

Sutra
A sutra is an aggregation of short formula-like assertions.

Bhasya
A bhasya is an explanation,
a commentary made to to unpack and weave together.

Varttika
A varttika is a sub-commentary on a bhasya, defending its particular construction of the sutra over alternatives, making revisions and adjustments if necessary.

Vyakhya
A vyakhya is a commentary.
1. explanation: VARIABLE NOUN
If you give an explanation, you give reasons why something happened, or describe something in detail.
Example: The parents want an honest explanation of what happened.

2. exposition: COUNTABLE NOUN
An exposition of an idea or theory is a detailed explanation of it.
[formal]

3. interpretation: VARIABLE NOUN
An interpretation of something is an opinion of what it means.
Example: The Finance Minister put a different interpretation on the figures.

Vivarana or a Vritti
padachheda
word-division

padarthokti
stating the meaning of the word

vigraha = analysis of grammatical compounds (samAs)

vakyayojana
construing the sentences

Akshepusu samadhan
solving problems

A commentary which confines itself to this role is called a vivarana or a vritti.

Tika
A tika is a commentary made to elucidate obscure or otherwise tricky words. It is an annotation. This is defined in the Sabdarthachintamani. It is comparable to the English word “gloss”.
It is an annotation.

Tippani
टिप्पणी f. TippaNI gloss
टिप्पणी f. TippaNI note
टिप्पणी f. TippaNI remark
टिप्पणिका f. TippaNikA gloss [commentary] टिप्पणिपुस्तक n. TippaNipustaka notebook
टिप्पणीपुस्तिका f. TippaNIpustikA notebook
टिप्पणीं लिखन्तु sent. TippaNIM likhantu Please

take notes.

टिप्पणीं किञ्चित् ददाति वा? sent. TippaNIM kiJcit dadAti vA?
Example: Would you kindly lend me your notes?

टिप्पणी f. TippaNI comment

provides an explanation, interpretation, or paraphrase for (a text, word, etc.).

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