Punctuation As we see in printed books, punctuation marks are also seen in manuscript. In Sanskrit manuscript, we can find Daṇḍa(।) or stroke. Both the single and double are used in Sanskrit verses. In prose also single Daṇḍa is use at the end of sentence and double is used at the end of a…
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The leaves of a manuscript might be stitched or unstiched. Usually palm leaves and Bhūrja patras will be bound by a cord that passes through a hole made for the purpose. Even handmade paper are also not stitched. Daśavaikālika sūtra mentions the following types of Manuscripts. Gaṇḍī Kacchapī Sampuṭa phalaka Muṣṭī Gaṇḍi is a manuscript…
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There some other materials that are used for Manuscripts. Compasses or bow pen are used to draw lines and circles. Rāyapaseṇiya sutta lists some of the names of instruments that are used for manuscripts. Burnishing stones and conch are used for polishing. The pen box is also used for stylus and pens. Sometimes ink…
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According to the nature of the instruments, the writing instruments are divided into three types. Instruments with hard and sharp tip to incise Instruments with soft tips to write and Brush to paint 1.The stylus is called as “Loha Kaṇṭaka” or “śalākā” in Sanskrit. It is a rod made up of iron with 10-30…
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Cloth was also used for writing. Since it is not durable books were not copied into it. A layer of rice or wheat pulp is spread on the surface to write on it. This type of cloth is called as Paṭa, Paṭikā and Kārpāsika paṭa. Yājñavalkya smṛti too speaks of writing on Paṭa. …
Continue readingSince leather was considered as impure in olden India except tiger and deer’s skin, the usage was very rare whereas it is seen as one of the important material for manuscripts in other countries like Egypt. Leather was used as black-board for drawing plans and to make a draft. Subandhu, 5th CE poet…
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Stone was used for writing from very early times. There are so many instances where stone epigraphs are found with great eloquence. But in the view of manuscripts only few of them can be considered as manuscripts containing scriptures. Though the edicts of Aśoka, Tāḷḷaguṇḍa pillar inscription, Hathigumpha Cave inscription and Kanyākumāri stone epigraph…
Continue readingWe have already seen the usage of Gold and copper for writing manuscripts. Though silver is cheaper than gold, the usage is very scanty. Only a few instances have been discovered so far. Some coins and documents were discovered from the stūpas of Bhaṭṭiprolu and Taxila. Tantrik formulae and Cakras are written in silver…
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We have seen Palm leaf, paper and Bhūrja patra, the major materials that are used for writing manuscripts. These are other two materials that were used only in the north eastern part of the country. Sāñcīpāt and Tūlipāt are the materials. Sāñcīpāt The Agaru or aloe tree is called as Sāñcī in Assam and…
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The materials used for writing is also an important thing in the field of manuscriptology. The selection of material depends on the usage. Even today daily newspaper is not printed on maplitho paper, nor dictionary is printed on newsprint. The nature and purpose of a document determines the selection of the material. In…
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