2.2.57
Nyāya Sūtra / Adhyāya 2 / 2.2.57
अनियमे नियमात् न अनियमः
aniyame niyamāt na aniyamaḥ
The line
In the absence of a fixed rule, because of a restriction, not the absence of a fixed rule.
Where it sits
In Nyāya (न्याय) Sūtra (सूत्र), adhyāya (अध्याय) 2. Examines doubt, and then examines the means of knowing one by one. The words of this line are the ones to keep. A shorter line after this one may leave them unsaid.
Split: aniyame (अनियमे) + niyamāt (नियमात्) + na (न) + aniyamaḥ (अनियमः)
Sanskrit, in depth
The words
| Word | Grammar | Sense |
|---|---|---|
| aniyame (अनियमे) | locative singular, or nominative or accusative dual, neuter | the absence of a fixed rule |
| niyamāt (नियमात्) | ablative singular | a restriction |
| na (न) | indeclinable | not |
| aniyamaḥ (अनियमः) | nominative singular, masculine | the absence of a fixed rule |
The phrases
aniyame (अनियमे) is the absence of a fixed rule. It stands as locative singular, or nominative or accusative dual, neuter. niyamāt (नियमात्) is a restriction. It stands as ablative singular.
na (न) is not. It stands as indeclinable. aniyamaḥ (अनियमः) is the absence of a fixed rule. It stands as nominative singular, masculine.
Sanskrit in this line
aniyamaḥ (अनियमः) is nominative singular, masculine. That ending is the work an English preposition would do.
Say it back
Cover the English. Gloss aniyame (अनियमे) and niyamāt (नियमात्).