bhyO - meaning

[Guest guest]

Jai Guru Datta, Hanumanji!

 

Sri GurubhyO namaha!

 

Your inquiry is deeply appreciated.

 

The word 'gurubhyaha' applies to two different 'vibhaktis' (cases) depending

on the context.

 

In the DATIVE CASE (indirect object) it answers the question 'to / for-whom

/ what' and the corresponding verb relates to the 'recipient, beneficiary,

or purpose of the action'. For example, 'sadgurubhyah namaha' means

salutation to 'sadgurus' (plural, indicating paramaguru, paramEShTHiguru and

parAtpara guru, or all those gurus in the guruparampara/lineage). In

combination with a consonent following the word, the visarga ending ('ha') ,

becomes 'bhyO'. Its singular form is 'guravE' ('guravE namaha' means

salutation to the one guru). In sanskrit it is 'caturtHI vibhakti' (4th Case).

 

In the ABLATIVE CASE the word 'gurubhyah' answers the question 'from-whom /

from-what' and the corresponding verb relates to the place from which the

action begins, as also the cause or motivation for the action. In sanskrit

it is 'pancamI vibhakti' (5th Case).

 

'vibhakti' means case. There are seven (7) vibhaktis (pratHamA & saMbOdhana

pratHamA, dvitIyA, tRutIya, caturtHI, pancamI, ShaShTHI, and saptamI) or

cases (nominative & vocative, accusative, instrumental, dative, ablative,

genitive, locative).

 

In sanskrit there are three (3) numbers: EkavacanA (singular), dvivacanA (two),

and baHuvacanA (plural). There is NO term in English that is equivalent to

the dvivacanA of sanskrit.

 

Given below are the various vibhaktIs/cases (including the saMbOdhana

pratHamA, in the 2nd line) in the three applicable number forms (Ekavacana,

dvivacanA, baHuvacanA) for the word 'guru'. The entire table constitutes

one 'sabdaM'.

 

Title: ukArAntaH (word ending with the vowel 'u') puMliNgaH (masculine

gender) 'guruH' sabdaha (the word 'guru'):

 

pratHama: guruhu, gurU, guravaha

saMbOdhana pratHamA: hE gurO, hE gurU, hE guravaha

dvitIyA: guruM, gurU, gurUn

tRutIyA: guruNA, gurubhyAM, gurubhihi

caturtHI: guravE, gurubhyAM, gurubhyaha

paNcamI: gurOH, gurubhyAM, gurubhyaha

ShaShTHI: gurOH, gurvOH, gurUNAM

saptamI: gurau, gurvOH, guruShu

 

If one has to enjoy the bhajans and chants it is important to learn the

sanskrit vibhaktis (nouns in seven cases for all three genders) and dhatus

(verbs in first, second, and third person) for all three numbers (EkavacanA,

dvivacanA, baHuvacanA).

 

Pardon me if I have confused you.

 

Coming to the point: 'gurubhyO namaha' means 'salutation to the many

gurus'; 'guravE namaha' means 'salutation to the one guru'. 'guravE buddhi

sAkShiNE' means to the guru , (to) the absolute consciouness', that is to

Lord 'dattAtrEya'. The absolute consciousness is ALWAYS singular, and so

you don't say 'gurubhyaH(bhyO) buddhisAkShibhyaH'.

 

In the ablative case context (example): 'gurOhr aMghri padmE' (in the lotus

feet of the guru). 'gurOH parataraM nAsti' meaning (there is) none greater

than (to) the guru).

 

I understand people often take the meaning of 'sadgurubhyO namaha' as a

singular case as well. I am NOT sure if it is OK grammatically. I use the

wording 'sadguravE namaha' for singular and 'SrigurubhyOnamaha' for the

guruparampara. Scholars like Brahmasri Vamsikrishna Ghanapathi or Brahmasri

Kuppa Krishnamurthy Sastry garu are the ones to confirm.

 

Sri Guru Datta!!

 

Regards,

Kameswara Upadrashta

 

 

 

 

 

[RadhaMukunda]

So bhyo is always plural?