Dvandva compounds in the Rgveda : a stylistic and typological analysis of coordinative nominal constructions in Rgveda 1.1-1.50

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This thesis is a stylistic and typological study of nominal constructions in the Rgveda with a special focus on nominal compounds (dvandva). All nominal constructions from Rgveda 1.1-1.50 are analysed and compared with their parallel attestations in other mandalas of the Rgveda. Here the term coordinative nominal construction covers syntactic nominal constructions expressing a or copulative relationship, i.e. dvandva compounds, copulative nominal asyndeta, elliptic duals, and syntagms constructed with copulative conjunctions.The analysis of dvandva compounds is stylistic, typological, synchronic and diachronic and evaluates the typological criteria from the main sources of Rgvedic exegesis. The thesis examines to what extent dvandva compounds alternate with other nominal constructions related to dvandvas, i.e. copulative nominal asyndeta, elliptic duals, and syntagms constructed with copulative conjunctions, and identifies expressive paradigms that comprise these alternations. Special attention is given to grammatical and stylistic patterns of the so-called dual deities -- pairs of gods whose names are joined in several types of dvandva compounds or in other constructions. The differences between the nominal constructions comprising theonyms and those comprising nouns that do not signify deities are identified. It is shown that theonyms display specific grammatical and linguistic features: several types of syntagms are used to express a copulative relation between pairs of theonyms, whereas non-theonyms display hardly any such alternations.The thesis challenges the usually accepted internal chronology of the Rgveda: the nominal constructions examined display marked differences in distribution and style between theonyms and non-theonyms. It is demonstrated that the distribution and typology of all types of dvandva compounds and other syntagms signifying dual theonyms is a reflection of the style of Rgvedic language. This supports the main argument of the thesis, i.e. that linguistic research into any aspect of Rgvedic language ought to incorporate a stylistic analysis of the text, paying special attention to the specific grammatical and linguistic features of theonyms.