Ashwini Kumar Aggarwal

Sanskrit Past Participles Nishtha Ashwini Kumar Aggarwal

Nistha or Nishtha i.e. in Sanskrit Grammar is a kridanta word formed by adding a affix. These krt affixes are and (kta, ktavatu). Sanskrit Literature, especially the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads have frequent use of words, primarily as Participles used as Verbs. And that too the Past Participle Passive (kta) used in the sense of Past Tense, in place of the Verbs made using the affix.




The beauty of using lies in the fact that the same Participial Verb can be used in first person, second person or third person with no change in spelling. (This is not true of using affixed Verbs).




Nishtha words are also used as Adjectives in a sentence. Another significance of using words is in a spiritual context, since the dictionary meaning of Nishtha is Determination or Commitment. Also Faith, Devotion and Assimilation of Knowledge.




This handbook lists the Nishtha kta & ktavatu forms of entire Dhatupatha Roots, viz Dhatu Serial No 1 to 1943.




Additionally for the serious student,

- the Ashtadhyayi Sutra(s) are given if final Nishtha form is complex for each and every such Root.

- Internal Grouping of Roots is clearly marked and easily accessible.

- Accented Roots are listed.

- English Meaning of each Root is listed.

- Root attributes viz. P/A/U, Set/Anit/Vet, Sakarmaka/Akarmaka/Dvikarmaka are listed for each Root.

- Original Root as in Dhatupatha of Panini is given along with Root Anga ready for Conjugation.

- iii/1 Third Person Singular, Present Tense Active Verb form is listed for each Root.