On some Markers used in a Grantha Manuscript of the Ṛgveda Padapāṭha belonging to the Cambridge University Library (Or.2366)

The present article deals with a peculiar system of markers used in a manuscript of the Ṛgveda Padapāṭha written in the Grantha script, belonging to the Cambridge University Library (MS Or.2366). In the northern “orthodox” manuscript tradition of the Ṛgveda Padapāṭha, basically only four markers are used to analyse and rearrange the text of the Saṃhitāpāṭha, i.e. daṇḍas (for separating the words), avagrahas (for separating the members of the compounds), circles between daṇḍas (for marking the galitas), and the particle iti. Besides these four, however, in the Grantha manuscript a full system of additional markers is used. These markers, all illustrated in the article, apparently served the purpose of flagging peculiar or “irregular” euphonic modifications and other alterations in the Saṃhitāpāṭha, possibly to provide the reciter with all the information needed to accurately convert the Padapāṭha into the Saṃhitāpāṭha.