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Sanskrit action verbs ‘worship’ in the Bhagavad Gītā: A natural semantic metalanguage approach Ni Nyoman Tri Gitayani; Ni Luh Sutjiati Beratha; I Made Rajeg
LITERA Vol. 25 No. 2: LITERA (JULY 2026)
Publisher : Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Culture Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.21831/ltr.v25i2.92471

Abstract

Abstract The semantic understanding of Sanskrit action verbs of worship involves nuances of meaning that frequently overlap, reflecting significant cultural and religious values in Hindu practices worldwide. Despite growing interest in Sanskrit linguistic studies due to the structural and functional complexity of its verbal system, semantic analyses that specifically focus on worship verbs using the semantic primes framework remain limited. Therefore, this research examines Sanskrit action verbs ‘worship’ through the framework of Wierzbicka’s Natural Semantic Metalanguage approach, supported by van Valin and Lapolla’s semantic macroroles theory as the methodological combination that has rarely been applied to Classical Sanskrit texts. The data were taken from Chapters IX, X, and XI of the Bhagavad Gītā and were collected through documentation and note-taking techniques, subsequently analyzed using qualitative methods. The findings revealed several Sanskrit action verbs related to acts of ‘worship’, namely upāsate, bhajante, praṇamya, gṛṇanti, and stuvanti, which are classified under the types DO, DO and MOVE, also DO and SAY. In addition, the semantic macroroles of actor and undergoer were identified across the data, which are indicated as AGENT, RECIPIENT, and GOAL. The findings carry significant implications for both cultural and semantic inquiry, deepening understanding of how ‘worship’ is conceptualized in Hindu thought and indicating the potential to expand the application of NSM and semantic macroroles across languages worldwide.
Co-Authors A A Ayu Cindy Karina Ivana Irawan Adnyani, Ni Luh Putu Sri Amara Josephine Mendi Anak Agung Ngurah Kenata Janamejaya Antari, Ni Made Suwari Ariani, Ni Putu Aritorang, Athalia Beshorah Daar, Gabriel Fredi Darwin Fajar Desak Komang Kharisma Jandinhi Dewik Yuwandani Dini Siamika Tito Prayogi Efron Yohanis Loe Erisa Octavianti Fardini Sabilah Felisha Firstania Putri Grandi I Gede Yudarta, I Gede I Gst. Agung Triana Rakanita I Gusti Ayu Mahatma Agung I Gusti Made Sutjaja I Kadek Ari Wiguna I Ketut Darma Laksana I Komang Edy Wirawan I Komang Sudirga I Komang Sumaryana Putra I Made Budiarsa I Made Netra I MADE RAJEG I Made Rajeg I Made Suastra I Nengah Sudipa I Nyoman Darma Satya I Nyoman Dhana I Nyoman Suarka I NYOMAN SUPARWA I Nyoman Udayana I Putu Gede Sridana I Wayan Ardika I Wayan P. Windia I WAYAN PASTIKA Ida Ayu Made Puspani Ida Ayu Rai Nayma Mahadewi Ida Ayu Tantri Saraswathy Ida Bagus Putra Yadnya IGM Sutjaja Julie Puspitasari Km Tri Sutrisna Agustia Laksono Trisnantoro Lina Yuni Lestari Mahyuni Mahyuni Mareta, Ni Putu Dita Melani, Dian Angga Meyliana Eka Putri Muhammad Sukri Mulyadi Mulyadi Ni Kadek Dinda Pratiwi Ni Kadek Jessica Sarindra Dwije Ni Kadek Mirayanti Ni Kadek Sindy Arista Ni Komang Ayu Udyani Ni Luh Ayu Shinta Andriani Ni Luh Nyoman Seri Malini Ni Luh Putri Ayu Febriani Ni Made Dhanawaty Ni Made Dwijayani Ni Made Suwari Antari Ni Nyoman Tri Gitayani Ni Nyoman Tri Gitayani Ni Putu Narista Devi Ni Putu Tifani Puspa Lestari Ni Putu Wahyu Febriyani Ni Wayan Nandira Paraswari Ni Wayan Peni Ni Wayan Sukarini Nirwana Nilam Sari Nugraha, Komang Yoga Artha Oktavianus Oktavianus Peni, Ni Wayan Pratiwi, Ni Made Listya Ayu Putra, I Komang Sumaryana Putu Ayu Asty Senja Pratiwi Putu Dewi Merlyna Yuda Pramesti Putu Giorgiana Ananta Suyasa Putu Weddha Savitri Rina P Pamantung Robert Masreng Robert Masreng Safitri, Luh Mega Sang Ayu Isnu Maharani Sarwadi sarwadi Savitri, Putu Wedda savitri, weddha Si Luh Putu Arik Aryawathi Suwari Antari, Ni Made Widiani, Ni Made Rita Yayi Suryo Prabandari