Amara Kosha is a unique Dictionary in Sanskrit giving the synonyms of the different words. It is composed by a profound Sanskrit Scholar, named AmaraSimha and its another name, which is relatively more communicative of the content, is Namalinganusasanam. Perhaps, Sanskrit is the only language, in which, all the synonyms, nay the entire dictionary is versified. One would be master of the complete Vocabulary in Sanskrit, if one makes, by heart, this versified dictionary. In fact, it is the age old tradition to make Amarakosha by heart right at the young age. I wish this practice had continued even in the present times.
Usefulness of a treatise like Amarakosha needs no special mention. All the commentators on the major kavyas, natakas, and other literature is Sanskrit, have extensively used the contents of Amarakosha, to substantiate the meanings of the different words used by the poets and other authors. The frequency with which Amarakosha is referred to is much greater than that of the other similar Koshas available, either prior to or later than the period of Amarakosha.
The fact that there have been more than eight commentaries on Amarakosha speaks highly of the profoundness and robustness of the contents of this unique treatise. These commentaries, to name only a few, are the following: Amarakoshodghatanam by Bhattaksheeraswamy, Padachandrika by Rayamukuta, Budhamanohara by Vedanti mahadeva, Peeyusha Vyakhya by Ramakrishna Dikshita, Amarachandrika by Paramananda Myithili, Padavivritih by Lingasuri, Vyakhyasudha by Bhanoji Dixita and Amaravivekah by Maheshwar.
Most commentaries endeavour to give the etymology of the different words given in the list of synonyms, with suitable references to the rules of Vyakarana, thereby justifying the specific meanings attributed to the specific words. This approach adopted in the Commentaries speaks highly of the richness of the Sanskrit language, which is superior to the other languages, in depth and comprehensiveness. These commentaries also corroborate the meanings given by them with suitable quotes from the other similar Koshas, like, Abhidhana, Haima, Medinee, Viswa etc.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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