A critical survey of the publications on the periphrastic future in Sanskrit

Abstract

In describing the periphrastic future in Sanskrit authors have too often underestimated its nominal character. In post-Vedic literature this category in the main retained its ancient function of emphasizing that an occurence is sure to take place. The idea of accomplishment was at least originally given prominence, the use of these forms being, at least in the beginning, due to the tendency to anticipate (fait-accompli). The difference between the constructions with the agent nouns in the Vedic samhits and the incipient periphrastic expression of futurity in the brhmanas has often been exaggerated, as has the dissimilarity of the latter and classical usage. The present author is not convinced that the periphrastic future has arisen exclusively from the oxytone -tar-forms.