Shabdakalpadruma

Shabdakalpadruma Sanskrit dictionary compiled by Raja radhakanta deb (1783-1867) and edited by Karunasindhu Vidyanidhi. Radhakanta Deb took about forty years in compiling the dictionary. Compilation started in 1803 and the first volume was published in 1819. The final volume, containing annexure, was published in 1858.

The sanskrit word kalpadruma means an omnipotent tree or a tree that yields all one desires. It is said that the dictionary contains almost all the words and subjects of the Sanskrit language. It contains the meaning, origin and application of every Sanskrit word. This enormous dictionary, written in Sanskrit prose, was printed in bangla script.

Radhakanta Deb was inspired to compile this dictionary to meet the needs of the educational institutions, courts of law and to help the reading of Sanskrit books. The dictionary became immensely popular with students and teachers of the Sanskrit schools and colleges as well as lawyers and judges of courts. The Royal Asiatic Society and Indologists honoured Radhakanta Deb for his contribution to Sanskrit knowledge. The British Government made him a Knight Commander of the Star of India and decorated him with the title of 'Raja Bahadur'. There has not been a second Sanskrit grammar of this kind after Radhakanta Deb. Raja Radhakanta Deb never made the dictionary a commercial venture. He distributed it among friends and litterateur. [Dulal Bhowmik]