The Proto-Indo-European Root sreu- and Its Derivatives in Sanskrit. The Sploshing Torrent of the Lexicon

The Gurgling Conduit Between Sound and Sense

The Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root sreu- is a fascinating example of the linguistic and cultural connections that link the Indo-European language family. This root, which means “to flow, to drop, to ooze,” has given rise to various words in different languages, including Sanskrit.

It is interesting to focus on the derivation of the Sanskrit words from the PIE root sreu- and their fascinating meanings.

The Sanskrit Word sru- and Its Derivatives

The Sanskrit word sru- is a verbal root that appears in numerous Sanskrit compounds and derivatives. For example, the word sruc, which comes from the root sru-, means “a pipe, a channel, or a conduit.” It is used to refer to any structure that allows water or other fluids to flow from one place to another. Another derivative of sru- is the word srotas, which means “a stream, a current, or a course.” It is often used in the context of rivers, which are described as srotas that flow from the mountains to the sea.

Interestingly, the root sru- is also used in Sanskrit to refer to the act of listening. The word sruti, which comes from the root sru-, means “that which is heard” or “that which is revealed.” In Hinduism, sruti refers to the sacred texts that are considered to be divinely revealed, such as the Vedas. This usage of the root sru- reflects the idea that the act of listening is a form of receiving or taking in, just as water flows into a channel or a pipe.

“The Vedas are the eternal truths revealed by God to the great ancient Rishis of India. The word Rishi means a Seer from “dris”, to see. He is the Mantra-Drashta, a seer of Mantra or thought. The thought was not his own. The Rishis saw the truths or heard them. Therefore, the Vedas are what are heard (Sruti). The Rishi did not write. He did not create it out of his mind. He was the seer of thought which existed already. He was only the spiritual discoverer of the thought. He is not the inventor of the Veda.”

(“All About Hinduism” by Swami Sivananda)

Another interesting derivative of sru- is the word srava, which means “fame, glory, or renown.” This word is used to refer to the reputation or prestige that a person accumulates throughout their life. It is thought to come from the idea of something that “flows” or “spreads” from one person to another, like water flowing through a conduit.

“Srava is the fame that comes from the performance of good deeds, the fame that is spread by word of mouth, and the fame that is heard by all. Srava is the fruit of dharma, the reward of virtue, the glory of righteousness. Srava is the mark of a noble soul, the sign of a great person, the crown of a wise one.”

(“The Wisdom of the Vedas” by Jagadish Chandra Bose)

The Sanskrit word Sravati and Its Derivatives

Another interesting derivative of the PIE root sreu- is the Sanskrit word sravati, which means “to flow, to stream, to pour forth.” This word is often used in the context of rivers and other bodies of water, described as sravati that flow or stream from one place to another.

One of the most interesting derivatives of sravati is the word sravana, which means “hearing” or “listening.” This word is used in the context of the Hindu practice of listening to the recitation of sacred texts, which is considered to be a form of spiritual practice. It is thought to come from the idea of something that “flows” or “streams” into the ears, like water flowing through a conduit.

“Sravana is the hearing of the scriptures from a competent teacher. It is the first and foremost means of attaining the knowledge of Brahman. By Sravana, the doubts arising from the apparent contradictions in the scriptures are removed and the purport of the scriptures is ascertained.”

(“Vedantasara” by Sadananda Yogindra)

Another derivative of sravati is the word sravasa, which means “that which is heard” or “that which is renowned.” This word is often used to refer to the reputation or fame of a person or a thing, which is thought to “flow” or “stream” from one person to another.

Conclusion and Takeaways

The analysis of the Proto-Indo-European root sreu- provides intriguing insights into the evolution of Sanskrit and its connections to other Indo-European languages. Tracing the derivatives of this ancient root in Sanskrit illuminates how core concepts around flowing, dripping, listening, and fame emerged across languages.

• The resilience of the root is striking — sreu- has survived from Proto-Indo-European through to modern Sanskrit, spawning many words over thousands of years. This demonstrates the longevity of core vocabularies.
• The width of meanings is fascinating — from concrete senses like “pipe” to abstract meanings like “fame”, sreu- has proven highly adaptable. This reflects the creative possibilities of language.
• The interlinked notions are insightful — flowing, listening, and renown are connected through metaphors of streaming, absorbing, and spreading. This shows how foundational human experiences shape semantic networks.
• The cultural significance is important — the Vedic concept of divinely “heard” texts derives from this root. Language and spirituality intertwine.

In sum, sreu- provides a compelling blueprint of how elemental linguistic building blocks can evolve over millennia to form the foundations of rich lexicons. Tracking the derivatives of ancient roots like sreu- in Sanskrit and other languages will shed light on the cultural connections and imagination that underpin human languages.

The resilience, adaptability, metaphors, and cultural influences revealed by sreu- make it a portal into the long history of ideas embedded within words. Further comparative study of how PIE roots branched through descendant languages promises to uncover more insights about our shared linguistic and cultural heritage.

Thanks for reading.