# Pushpa Dixit

Pushpa Dixit (Sanskrit: पुष्पा दीक्षित, IAST: puṣpā dīkṣita) is an Indian scholar, author and poet who is believed to be one of the foremost exponents of Pāṇinīan Vyākaraṇam, the study of Sanskrit grammar and linguistics on the principles of the ancient grammarian Pāṇini. Referred to as Mātāji (respected mother), Dixit has developed a new teaching methodology known as the Paushpi Prakriyā. This method has influenced the way Sanskrit grammar is taught in modern era, making it reportedly much faster for students to master the language's profound grammatical structures.

## Early life and education

Pushpa was born on 12 June 1943 in city of Jabalpur, Central Provinces and Berar of British India (now in Madhya Pradesh). Her father Prāṇācārya (lit. Royal Physician) Pandit Sundarlal Shukla was an Ayurvedic physician and scholar. Her mother was Smt. Janaki Devi Shukla. During her childhood, she followed the footstep of her father, who was a scholar of Vyakarana and later studied it under Pandit Vishwanath Ji Tripathi, a leading grammarian and the principal of Krishna Bodhashram Sanskrit College in Jabalpur. She also received her Sanskrit education from three more gurus, including Pandit Ramprasadji Tripathi. She was married early to Shiv Prasad Dixit.
Dixit completed her postgraduate degree in Sanskrit with three gold medal from Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya. Dixit pursued her higher education at the same University, where she earned her Ph.D. degree.

## Academic career

She served as head of Sanskrit department at Government Girls Postgraduate College (शासकीय कन्या स्नातकोत्तर महाविद्यालय) in Bilaspur. She remained at service for almost 39 years.
Dixit is also invited to participate in national-level Sanskrit poetry conferences. Notably, she was selected as one of 15 national Sanskrit poets to recite poetry at the 13th World Sanskrit Conference held at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. To promote the study of Panini's grammar, Dixit organizes workshops, both online and offline through her institution, Pāṇini Shodh Sansthān in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, where she has been imparting her knowledge for over two decades, free of cost. These workshops attract students and professors from across the country and abroad, with accommodation and meals provided by the Kosal Sanskrit Committee.
In Bilaspur, Dr. Dixit has developed a new mathematical method to clarify the principles of the Ashtadhyayi, aiming to enable students to grasp the concepts of Paninian grammar in a shorter time frame. The Paushpi Prakriyā focuses on understanding the essence of Pāṇini’s Aṣṭādhyāyī, simplifying the complex rules into a structured learning path.

### Paushpi Prakriyā

There are two main methods for studying Pāṇinian grammar. The first method involves reading the meanings of the sutras of Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī in their original order, starting with the Mahābhāṣya and continuing to the Kāśikāvrtti. This approach provides insight into the sequence of sutras but relies on additional texts for procedural understanding.
The second method is the procedural approach, based on the Siddhāntakaumudī, which focuses on application and presents relevant sutras. This method can disrupt the original arrangement of the Aṣṭādhyāyī and often requires memorization of commentaries, which may obscure the underlying principles.
Dixit believed that the prevailing methodologies, primarily based on texts like the SiddhāntaKaumudi and the Kāśikā, were inefficient for contemporary learners, prompting her to create a system that could condense years of study into a much shorter period. Thus, she developed a mathematical method over approximately 40 years that clarifies the procedural science of the Aṣṭādhyāyī, enabling comprehensive understanding in four months. This method has not been previously articulated since Pāṇini. By restructuring the traditional sequence of verbal forms, she has reorganized the Pāṇinian Dhātupāṭha while retaining all roots, aligning them with the procedural method.
Her approach has been praised for reducing the learning time of Sanskrit grammar significantly, from a process that traditionally took years to one that can be accomplished in less than a year. This has been validated by the success of thousands of students who have passed through her institution.

### Publications

Her career is marked by numerous contributions to Sanskrit education, primarily through her publications and the Paushpi Prakriyā. Among her notable works:
* "अष्टाध्यायी सहजबोध (Ashtadhyayi Sahajabodha) - A Scientific Commentary of Pāṇinī's Aṣṭādhyāyī" is a hindi series of which six volumes are published.
** सार्वधातुक खण्ड (sārva-dhātuka khaṇḍa) (1999)
** आर्धधातुकप्रकरणम् (ārdha-dhātuka prakaraṇam) (2001)
** कृदन्तप्रकरणम् (kṛdanta-prakaraṇam) (2004)
** तद्धितप्रकरणम् (taddhita-prakaraṇam) (2006)
** सुबन्तप्रक्रिया, स्त्रीप्रत्यय और द्विरुक्ति (subanta-prakriyā, strīpratyaya aura dvirukti) (2011)
** कारकप्रकरणम् तथा समासप्रक्रिया (kāraka-prakaraṇam tathā samāsa prakriyā) (2016)
* "पौष्पी नव्यसिद्धान्तकौमुदी (Pauṣpi Navyasiddhāntakaumudī)" is a Sanskrit series of which two volumes are published.
** सुबन्तप्रक्रिया-स्त्रीप्रत्यया-द्विरुक्तिश्च (subanta-prakriyā-strīpratyayā-dviruktiśca) (2018)
** सार्वधातुकतिङ्कृत्प्रत्ययाः (sārva-dhātuka-tiṅkṛt-pratyayāḥ)
* आर्धधातुक प्रत्ययों की इडागम व्यवस्था (Ārdhadhātuka Pratyayon kī Iḍāgama Vyavasthā)
* शीघ्रबोधव्याकरणम् (Śīghra-bodha-vyākaraṇam) (2007)
* धात्वधिकरीयं सामान्यमङ्गकार्यम् (Dhātvadhikarīyaṁ Sāmānyam-aṅga-kāryam) (2014)
* तिङन्तकोषः – त्रयो भागाः (Tiṅanta-Koṣaḥ – three parts) (2014)
* कृदन्तकोषः – द्वौ भागौ (Kridanta-Koṣaḥ – two parts) (2014)
* पाणिनीयं वैदिकव्याकरणम् (Pāṇinīyaṃ Vaidika-vyākaraṇam) (2019)
* भगवतः पाणिनेः सप्तविभागाष्टाध्यायी (Bhagavataḥ Pāṇineḥ Saptavibhāga-Aṣṭādhyāyī)
* पाणिनीयाष्टाध्यायीसूत्रपाठः प्रकरणनिर्देशसमन्वितः (Pāṇinīya Aṣṭādhyāyīsūtrapāṭhaḥ Prakaraṇanirdeśasamanvitaḥ)

#### Books published by Samskrita Bharati

* पाणिनीयाष्टाध्यायीसूत्रपाठः प्रकरणनिर्देशसमन्वितः (Pāṇinīya Aṣṭādhyāyīsūtrapāṭhaḥ Prakaraṇanirdeśasamanvitaḥ) (2010)
* तिङ्कृत्कोषः – द्वौ भागौ (Tiṅkṛt Koṣaḥ) (2011) - in two parts
** सार्वधातुकखण्डः (sārva-dhātuka khaṇḍaḥ)
** आर्धधातुकखण्डः (ārdha-dhātuka khaṇḍaḥ)
* णिजन्तकोषः (Ṇijantakoṣaḥ) (2012)
* सन्नन्तकोषः (Sannantakoṣaḥ) (2012)
* यङन्तकोषः नामधातुकोषश्च (Yaṅantakoṣaḥ nāmadhātukoṣaśca) (2012)
* यङ्लुगन्तकोषः (Yaṅlugantakoṣaḥ) (2012)
* लकारसरणिः – चत्वारो भागाः (Lakāra-saraṇiḥ) (2012) - in four parts
** लट्, लोट, लङ्, विधिलिङ्, इत्येते सार्वधातुकलकाराः (Laṭ, loṭa, laṅ, vidhiliṅ, ityete sārvadhātukalakārāḥ)
** लृट्, लृङ्, लुट्, आशीर्लिङ्, इत्येते चत्वारो लकाराः (Lṛṭ, lṛṅ, luṭ, āśīrliṅ, ityete catvāro lakārāḥ)
** लिट् लकारः (Liṭ lakāraḥ)
** लुङ् लकारः (luṅ lakāraḥ)
* इडागमः (Idāgamaḥ) (2010)
* पाणिनीयधातुपाठः - सार्थः (Pāṇinīya Dhātupāṭhaḥ - with meaning) (2019)
* प्रक्रियानुसारी पाणिनीयधातुपाठः – (Prakriyānusārī Pāṇinīya-Dhātupāṭhaḥ) (2011)
* पाणिनीयमूलधातुपाठः – प्रक्रियानुसारी (Pāṇinīya-Mūla-Dhātupāṭhaḥ – Prakriyānusārī) (2020)
* सनाद्यन्तधातुपाठः (Sanādyanta-Dhātupāṭhaḥ) (2020)
* सस्वरः पाणिनीयधातुपाठः – द्वौ भागौ (Sasvaraḥ Pāṇinīya Dhātupāṭhaḥ) (2012) – in two parts (editor)
** सार्वधातुकप्रत्ययोपयोगी (sārva-dhātuka-Pratyayopayogī)
** आर्धधातुकप्रत्ययोपयोगी (ārdha-dhātuka-Pratyayopayogī)

#### Poetry books

* अग्निशिखा (Agnishikhā) (1984)
* शाम्भवी (Śāmbhavī) - (गीतिकाव्य)
* अपराजितवधूमहाकाव्यम् (Aparājitavadhu Mahākāvyam) - Editor and translator
* प्रबुद्धभारतम् (Prabuddhabhāratam) - Editor and translator
* सौन्दर्यलहरी (Saundaryalaharī) - commentary on the translation of Bacchulal Awasthi.

#### DVDs

* तिङन्तसिद्धिः (Tiṅantasiddhiḥ) - 46-hour DVD prepared by Samskrita Bharati
* अष्टाध्यायी की अध्ययन पद्धति (Aṣṭādhyāyī kī Adhyayana Paddhati) - 72 Episodes Series prepared by UGC to broadcast on Gyan Darshan
* तिङन्तप्रक्रिया (Tiṅantaprakriyā) - 78 Episodes Series prepared by UGC to broadcast on Gyan Darshan
* वैदिक व्याकरणम् (vaidika vyākaraṇam) - 8 episodes created for the E-PG Pathshalaof the project of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University.
* काशी पाण्डित्य परियोजना (Kāśī Pāṇḍitya Pariyojanā) – 09 DVDs prepared by Acharya Vasistha Tripathi for Philosophy and 08 DVDs prepared by Acharya Ramyatna Shukla for Vyakarana.
Her publications have been widely cited in academic circles, and she has contributed to various journals dedicated to linguistics and Sanskrit studies.

## Recognition and awards

Throughout her career, Pushpa Dixit has received numerous accolades for her contributions to Sanskrit grammar. such as:-
* वेद वेदाङ्ग सम्मान (Veda Vedāṅga Award) – On August 14, 2003, at a program organized in Delhi by the Maharishi Sandipani National Vedic Vidya Institute, the institute's president, Honorable Minister Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, awarded her recognition in the subject of grammar.
* Certificate of Honour – On August 14, 2004, the contemporary President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, awarded her this certificate for proficiency in Sanskrit literature and scholarship in the scriptures.
* अभिनन्दनपत्रम् (Letter of Commendation) – Presented by Central Sanskrit University, Jaipur Campus on the occasion of Sanskrit Week on 11 August 2011.
* संस्कृत भाषा सम्मान (Sanskrit Language Award) – Award by the Government of Chhattisgarh on November 1, 2007 in the awards ceremony of the Chhattisgarh Rajya Alanakran for her contributions to the state of Chhattisgarh.
* Vachaspati Title – On November 26 2010, she was conferred the title of Vachaspati (D.Litt) from Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University for extra-ordinary knowledge of Indian Vidya.
* Mahamahopadhyaya Title – On March 24, 2011, Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, Haridwar, conferred the honorary title of 'Mahamahopadhyaya on its 3rd convocation ceremony for extra-ordinary knowledge of Indian Vidya.
* Vidyasagara Title – Awarded by Mandakini Sanskrit Vidvat-Parishad, New Delhi.
* Rajkumari Patnaik Award – On September 14, 2004, she was honored with the Rajkumari Patnaik Award 2003 by the Honorable Governor of the state, Mahamana Shri P. C. Seth, for exceptional contributions in the field of language.
* श्रीमन्निग्रहाचार्ययशोवर्द्धनसम्मान (Shriman Nigrahacharya Yashovardhan Award) – it was bestowed to her with an engraved silver coin, and a self-authored book in the field of education for the Vikram Samvat 2080 (A.D. 2013), by Nigrahacharya Shri Bhagavatanand Guru.
* श्रीः ओंकारनाथमालपाणीसंस्कृतात्मापुरस्कारः (Śrīḥ Oṁkāranātha Mālapāṇī Saṃskṛtātma Award) – On February 21, 2013, Sangamner College awarded her this for her achievements in Sanskrit.
* Acharya Ramyatna Shukla Award – On August 5, 2019, the Uttar Pradesh Nagkoup Shastrarth Committee awarded her the 'Acharya Ramyatna Shukla Award.'
* Maharashtra State Mahakavi Kalidasa Sanskrit Sadhana Award – Awarded in 2019 by Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek on behalf of Government of Maharashtra on the occasion of Sanskrit Diwas for remarkable work, related to Sanskrit.
* Pūrṇa Sarasvatī Award – In 2021, the Shri Gokul Jan Kalyan Samiti, Bhopal, awarded her the Pūrṇa Sarasvatī Award.
* D.Litt. Honorary Degree – On March 28, 2023, Atal Bihari University, Bilaspur, conferred the honorary degree of 'D.Litt.'
* Grateful 2 Guru - Awarded by INDICA on July 2024 for outstanding and selfless service rendered for Sanatana Dharma.

## Legacy

Dixit's Paushpi Prakriyā has not only made Sanskrit grammar more accessible but has also inspired a new generation of scholars and learners. Students who have studied under her, including those who have deferred prestigious opportunities elsewhere, often cite her as a model of what a dedicated educator can achieve. For over 40 years, she has managed to balance her professional pursuits with personal responsibilities, including caring for her husband, who is paralyzed.