apapādatra

 

In Sanskrit grammar, the term apapādatra (अपपादत्र) is closely

linked to traditional grammatical analysis, particularly in the 

context of the six kāraka roles and derived technical usages.

Root Meaning

Apapādatra is etymologically derived from apad (departure,

separation) and the suffix ātra or datra, indicating a relation or 

function.

It is closely related to the Apādāna Kāraka (अपादान कारक), 

which is the fifth case (Pañcamī Vibhakti) in Pāṇinian grammar.

Apādāna Kāraka Overview

The Apādāna Kāraka expresses separation, origin, cause, or source.

According to Pāṇini (Aṣṭādhyāyī 2.3.28), the apādāna is directly

marked by the Pañcamī case ending.

Traditional examples include:

Separation / Departure - वृक्षात् पत्रं पतति (vṛkṣāt patraṁ patati) - The leaf

falls from the tree

Cause of Fear -  सिंहात् बिभेति (siṁhāt bibheti) - Fears from the lion

Origin / Birth - हिमालयात् गङ्गा प्रभवति (himālayāt gaṅgā prabhavati) - The

Ganga originates from the Himalaya

Basis for Comparison -   ज्ञानं धनात् श्रेष्ठम् (jñānaṁ dhanāt śreṣṭham) - Knowledge is better than wealth

Receiving Knowledge / Instruction - गुरोः पठति (guroḥ paṭhati) -

Learns from a guru

Key characteristic: The relation indicates “away from” or 

source/origin, distinct from instrumental or means

(tṛtīyā vibhakti, karaṇa kāraka).

Apapādatra Significance

In classical Sanskrit lexicons like Wisdom Library

1

and older

grammatical treatises, apapādatra is often listed as a grammatical

entry representing or pertaining to Apādāna Kāraka.

While modern sources may merge the technical term under 

“Apādāna Kāraka,” historical dictionaries distinguish apapādatra 

as one of the functional roles or contexts in which separation/origin 

semantics are applied.

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  1 Source

Summary

Apapādatra = related to apādāna / fifth kāraka.

It signifies separation, origin, cause, or the point from which 

an action or effect emanates.

Always marked by the Pañcamī vibhakti.

Distinct from karaṇa (instrumental) or other kārakas, as the 

semantic emphasis is departure, avoidance, or source, not 

mere agency or instrumentality.

References

Sanskrit Library – Apadam Grammar and Pañcamī vibhakti explanations

2

Wisdom Library – Entry Apapādatra

1

Pāṇini, Aṣṭādhyāyī (vibhakti sutras)

1. 

   

   3 Sources
2. 
   

In essence, apapādatra is a technical grammatical term in Sanskrit

representing the fifth kāraka (Apādāna Kāraka), encapsulating

the grammatical notion of separation, origin, or cause in 

syntactic and semantic structures.