deriv SD cv (1006) ashtadhyayi.com hei.de L 1006 ETT STT a 2.1.57 ALPH OLDHOMEPAGE NEWHOMEPAGE

vizeSaNaM vizeSyeNa bahulam

विशेषणं विशेष्येण बहुलम् ONPANINI 21057

Specifiers (compound) crazily with their specified (when in /samAnAdhikaraNa).

And if they do so, the compound is a /tatpuruSa.

A /vizeSaNa (specifier) is a noun that makes another noun viziSyate विशिष्यते, that is, stand out, be distinguished. That is, it makes the meaning of another noun more specific. As for instance, the **nIla- नीलॱ in nIlam utpalam नीलमुत्पलम् "blue lotus".

A /vizeSya (specified or specificandum) is the another noun that is made more specific by the specifier. As for instance the, **utpala- उत्पलॱ in nIlam utpalam नीलमुत्पलम् "blue lotus".

This sUtra properly means:

Sometimes a specifier must compound with its specified, sometimes it must not, and sometimes it may compound or not.

This rule more than a grammar rule is a sort of a disclaimer. It is basically saying that sometimes other grammar rules will tell us if we must or may or may not make a compound, but when no rules say so, usage and custom must be paid attention to too.

The part that you have to remember is —

Do not say "blackbird" when you mean just any black bird.

Example of must:

!**lohitazAliH लोहितशालिः, red rice (when meaning a certain kind of rice)

Examples of must not:

rAmo jAmadagnyaH रामो जामदग्न्यः, rAma राम son of jamadagni जमदग्नि

Examples of may or may not:

nIlotpalam नीलोत्पलम्
nIlam utpalam नीलमुत्पलम्

See also adjective.