There's at least one precedent that I know of for a Persian loanword in late Sanskrit and Hindi medical texts, and that is the Persian word dil "heart" in the context of Bhāvamiśra's Bhāvaprakāśa (16 cent), where it appears as tila, cited alongside  the well-known Ayurvedic Man image in the Wellcome Library, see my discussion in DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/157342109X423793 pages 237-238, and note the same word (dila) occurring in a 1903 printed book by Muralīdharaśarman.  It is likely that such loan examples could be multiplied especially in late Āyurvedic works.  Also, for dil, see, e.g.,  Mahādevadeva's Hikmatprakāśa (tr. and study by Meulenbeld, https://indianmedicine.nl/article/view/24744 and https://indianmedicine.nl/article/view/24745), vol.2, pp. 157--158 et passim (and hṛdaya/hṛd in other passages).  (Mahādevadeva doesn't seem to use jigar/jagrī for liver, always yakṛt).  

DSAL #10394 has already been mentioned, which is characteristically rich but doesn't clear causal relations up much.  Mayrhofer's EWA, also mentioned, vol. 2, p. 391, discusses the form as yakar, which does look much more like /jagar/ etc. and calls the forms Indo-Iranian.   In KEWA, 3, 1, "yakṛt" he had already noted the similarity with Iranian forms, as well as the difficulty in making real connections with such forms. 

Best,
Dominik

--
Dominik Wujastyk, Professor Emeritus, Classical Indian History
University of Alberta

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On Sat, 9 Aug 2025 at 09:08, Andrea Lorene Gutierrez via INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info> wrote:
We even see this Persian-Urdu jigar come into modern Tamil in the sherbet type drink of Tamil Nadu, jigarthanda, which cools the heart/stomach/core, in its popular understanding.

Dr. Andrea Gutiérrez
Assistant Professor of Instruction
Department of Asian Studies
The University of Texas at Austin



On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 8:15 AM Satyanad Kichenassamy via INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info> wrote:
Did anyone mention that today is World Sanskrit Day ?

Le 09/08/2025 à 03:26, Madhav Deshpande via INDOLOGY a écrit :
> Thanks Hans. That is a very good suggestion.
>
> Madhav
>
> Madhav M. Deshpande
> Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
> University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
> Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
> Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India
>
> [Residence: Campbell, California, USA]
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 12:30 PM Hock, Hans Henrich <hhhock@illinois.edu>
> wrote:
>
>> Interesting evidence, esp. the Jaina Prakrit one. Could jagri and jigar(u)
>> be variant vernacularizations of Skt. yak.rt, plus additional Prakritic
>> changes (e.g. a > i after palatal, comparable to madhyama > majjihima?
>>
>> Hans Henrich
>>
>> On Aug 8, 2025, at 14:06, Uskokov, Aleksandar via INDOLOGY <
>> indology@list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> Curiously skipping arguably the most famous reference of them all, in the
>> very opening of the *Bṛhad-āraṇyaka, *which raises the question of what
>> is often sheer randomness of how ai engines operate.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>> Aleksandar
>>
>> Aleksandar Uskokov
>>
>> Senior Lector and Associate Research Scholar
>>
>> South Asian Studies Council & Department of Religious Studies, Yale
>> University
>>
>> 203-432-1972 | aleksandar.uskokov@yale.edu
>>
>> "The Philosophy of the Brahma-sutra: An Introduction"
>>
>>         https://www.amzn.com/1350150002/
>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.amzn.com/1350150002/__;!!DZ3fjg!7empG3RZB65PWHDWZivLaKrN86ZLoEMwKy9oIFuSdPC7-Wi-CY4O5u-3jVndiUib2RgecbhnxRofluIewH3spp2MW0kH$>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Office Hours Sign-up:* https://calendly.com/aleksandar-uskokov
>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://calendly.com/aleksandar-uskokov__;!!DZ3fjg!7empG3RZB65PWHDWZivLaKrN86ZLoEMwKy9oIFuSdPC7-Wi-CY4O5u-3jVndiUib2RgecbhnxRofluIewH3spl0GFnt_$>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces@list.indology.info> on behalf of
>> Madhav Deshpande via INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info>
>> *Sent:* Friday, August 8, 2025 2:58 PM
>> *To:* Rolf Heinrich Koch <rolfheiner.koch@gmail.com>; Indology <
>> indology@list.indology.info>
>> *Subject:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Claude
>>
>> For whatever it's worth, the DeepSeek AI provided the following textual
>> references:
>>
>> 1. Sanskrit (यकृत् / Yakṛt) – Ayurvedic Texts
>>
>> The liver is extensively discussed in classical Ayurveda as part of the *"Raktavaha
>> Srotas"* (blood-carrying channels).
>> Key References:
>>
>>     -
>>
>>     Charaka Samhita (चरकसंहिता, ~300 BCE–200 CE)
>>     -
>>
>>        *Chikitsāsthāna 15/16* – Discusses liver disorders (
>>        *yakṛd-dalyudara*, enlarged liver).
>>        -
>>
>>        *Sūtrasthāna 28* – Lists *yakṛt* among major organs.
>>        -
>>
>>     Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुतसंहिता, ~4th century CE)
>>     -
>>
>>        *Sharīrasthāna 4* – Describes the liver’s anatomical position.
>>        -
>>
>>        *Nidānasthāna 7* – Diagnoses liver diseases (*yakṛt-plīhodara*).
>>        -
>>
>>     Ashtanga Hridaya (अष्टाङ्गहृदय, 6th century CE)
>>     -
>>
>>        *Sūtrasthāna 12* – Mentions *yakṛt* in the context of digestion.
>>
>> Example Verse (Charaka):
>>
>> *"यकृत्प्लीहानमुदरं गुल्मः..."*
>> *("Disorders of the liver, spleen, and abdomen...")*
>> — *Charaka Samhita, Chikitsāsthāna 15*
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> 2. Pali (यकन / Yakana) – Buddhist Texts
>>
>> The Pali Canon refers to the liver in medical and metaphorical contexts.
>> Key References:
>>
>>     -
>>
>>     Vinaya Piṭaka (विनयपिटक, Mahāvagga VI.14.6)
>>     -
>>
>>        Prohibits monks from consuming animal livers (as part of strict
>>        dietary rules).
>>        -
>>
>>     Milindapañha (मिलिन्दपञ्ह, ~1st century BCE)
>>     -
>>
>>        Compares the liver to a "storehouse of blood" in anatomical
>>        discussions.
>>        -
>>
>>     Pali Jātaka Tales (e.g., Jātaka 319)
>>     -
>>
>>        Metaphorically uses *"yakana"* in descriptions of bodily suffering.
>>
>> Example Passage:
>>
>> *"Yakanaṃ hadayaṃ kilomakaṃ antogataṃ..."*
>> *("The liver, heart, and kidneys are inside...")*
>> — *Vinaya Piṭaka commentary*
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> 3. Jain Prakrit (जिगर / Jigara) – Ardhamāgadhī & Śaurasenī
>>
>> Jain texts in Prakrit use *"jigara"* (from Sanskrit *yakṛt*).
>> Key References:
>>
>>     -
>>
>>     Uttarādhyayana Sūtra (उत्तराध्ययन सूत्र, 5th–3rd century BCE)
>>     -
>>
>>        Verse 36.75: Lists *jigara* among organs affected by karma.
>>        -
>>
>>     Sūtrakṛtāṅga (सूत्रकृताङ्ग 1.6.27)
>>     -
>>
>>        Forbids harming creatures "from liver to bones" (*jigara-aṭṭhi*).
>>        -
>>
>>     Paiyalacchi (पैयलच्छी, 10th-century Prakrit lexicon)
>>     -
>>
>>        Defines: *"Jigara = Yakṛt"* (यकृत्).
>>
>> Example Verse (Sūtrakṛtāṅga):
>>
>> *"जिगर-अट्ठी-मज्जाणं..."*
>> *("From liver to bones and marrow...")*
>> — *Sūtrakṛtāṅga 1.6.27*
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> 4. Apabhraṃśa (जिगरु / Jigaru) – Medieval Jain & Medical Texts
>>
>> The transitional form *"jigaru"* appears in late Prakrit/Apabhraṃśa.
>> Key References:
>>
>>     -
>>
>>     Bhavisayatta Kaha (भविसयत्त कहा, 8th–10th century CE)
>>     -
>>
>>        A Jain story describing a king’s *"jigaru-roga"* (liver disease).
>>        -
>>
>>     Ravidatta’s Medical Works (रविदत्त, ~9th century CE)
>>     -
>>
>>        Uses *jigaru* in prescriptions for liver ailments.
>>
>> Example Line:
>>
>> *"जिगरु दुक्खु"* ("Liver pain")
>> — *Bhavisayatta Kaha*
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> Evolution Summary:
>>
>>     1.
>>
>>     Vedic Sanskrit: *Yakṛt (यकृत्)*
>>     2.
>>
>>     Pali: *Yakana (यकन)*
>>     3.
>>
>>     Early Prakrit: *Yakai (यकइ)*
>>     4.
>>
>>     Later Prakrit (Jain): *Jigara (जिगर)*
>>     5.
>>
>>     Apabhraṃśa: *Jigaru (जिगरु)*
>>     6.
>>
>>     Modern Hindi/Urdu: *Jigar (जिगर)*
>>
>> These references contain the use of *jigara *or *jigaru *from ancient
>> Jain Prakrit texts and Apabhraṃśa texts. The Deśīnāmamāla also lists it.
>> Assuming these textual references are accurate, the word *jigar/jigaru *goes
>> back to Prakrit/Apabhraṃśa ancestry. I wonder if we would still consider it
>> a borrowing from Persian.
>>
>> Madhav M. Deshpandee
>> Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
>> University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
>> Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
>> Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India
>>
>> [Residence: Campbell, California, USA]
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 11:46 AM Madhav Deshpande <mmdesh@umich.edu> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Rolf,
>>
>>       I am not an expert in all these languages. But from the information
>> provided by Open.AI and Claude.AI, it seems to me that the Persian *jigar
>> *is cognate with Sanskrit *yakr̥t*. The reason I am reluctant to think *jagrī
>> *coming from Persian *jigar*, is that such a borrowing does not explain
>> the *ī *at the end of *jagrī*, and then we have to assume that somehow
>> the * i *of *jigar *changed to *a* of *jagrī*. That requires too many ad
>> hoc changes. On the other hand, in numerous modern IA languages, the *y *of
>> Sanskrit is replaced with *j*, and the *r̥ *is routinely pronounced as *rī
>> *in North India. The loss of final Sanskrit consonants is a common
>> feature of all Prakrit languages. Given these considerations, I see more of
>> a clear line of connection between Sanskrit *yakr̥t* and your *jagrī*,
>> than to the Persian word. This is my thinking.
>>
>> Madhav
>> Madhav M. Deshpande
>> Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
>> University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
>> Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
>> Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India
>>
>> [Residence: Campbell, California, USA]
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM Rolf Heinrich Koch <
>> rolfheiner.koch@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Madhav,
>>
>> just learning the Open.ai system, I asked Open.ai exactly the same as you
>> did with Claude.ai.
>>
>> This is the answer (which I cannot fully understand):
>>
>> The Persian word *jigar* (جگر), meaning *“liver”*, has a well-established
>> history within the *Indo-Iranian branch* of the *Indo-European language
>> family*. Here’s the full etymological breakdown:
>> ------------------------------
>> 🔹 1. *Persian jigar (جگر) – meaning: liver*
>>
>>     -
>>
>>     In *Classical Persian*, *jigar* refers both to:
>>     -
>>
>>        The *anatomical liver*, and
>>        -
>>
>>        *Metaphorical qualities* like *courage*, * passion*, and *deep
>>        emotion* — much like how “heart” is used in English.
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> 🔹 2. *Etymology: from Middle and Old Iranian*
>>
>>     -
>>
>>     *Middle Persian*:
>>     -
>>
>>        The word appears as *jigar* (same as modern) or * jekar*.
>>        -
>>
>>     *Old Persian*:
>>     -
>>
>>        The word is not directly attested, but is *reconstructed* based on
>>        related Avestan and Indo-Iranian forms.
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> 🔹 3. *Reconstructed Indo-Iranian and Proto-Indo-European (PIE) roots*
>>
>>     -
>>
>>     *Avestan* (East Iranian):
>>     -
>>
>>        *yakarə* (liver) – a clear cognate.
>>        -
>>
>>     *Proto-Iranian*:
>>     -
>>
>>        Reconstructed as *jigar* or *jakar*, derived from an earlier
>>        Indo-Iranian form.
>>        -
>>
>>     *Proto-Indo-Iranian*:
>>     -
>>
>>        Reconstructed as *yákṛt* (same as Sanskrit *yakṛt* = liver)
>>        -
>>
>>     *Proto-Indo-European (PIE)* root:
>>     -
>>
>>        **iék̂wṛ̥* → This is the PIE word for *“liver”*, and it gives rise
>>        to many cognates across Indo-European languages.
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> 🔹 4. *Cognates in other Indo-European languages*
>> Language Word for "liver" Notes
>> *Sanskrit* *yakṛt* (यकृत्) Exact Indo-Aryan match
>> *Avestan* *yakarə* East Iranian cognate
>> *Latin* *iecur* PIE root preserved (with changes)
>> *Ancient Greek* *hēpar* (ἧπαρ) Different root, not cognate (likely non-IE
>> origin)
>> *Old English* *lifere* → *liver* Possibly unrelated, or influenced by
>> metaphorical use ("life-organ")
>> ------------------------------
>> 🔹 5. *Semantic development in Persian*
>>
>>     -
>>
>>     In Persian and later Urdu and Hindi, *jigar* became * highly
>>     metaphorical*:
>>     -
>>
>>        *jigar-dil* = “liver-hearted” → brave
>>        -
>>
>>        *jigar-pāra* (lit. “a piece of liver”) = a beloved person
>>        -
>>
>>        *jigar khun hona* (“liver bleeding”) = intense grief
>>
>> This is *cultural* — just as the *heart* became the seat of emotion in
>> European traditions, *the liver* was seen in Persianate culture as the
>> seat of * strong emotions*, especially *courage and deep love*.
>> ------------------------------
>> ✅ Summary:
>>
>>     -
>>
>>     *Jigar (جگر)* is *an authentic Iranian word*, descending from *Proto-Indo-European
>>     *iék̂wṛ̥* via *Indo-Iranian *yakṛt*.
>>     -
>>
>>     It is *cognate with Sanskrit yakṛt*, Latin *iecur*, and Avestan
>>     *yakarə*.
>>     -
>>
>>     The *metaphorical richness* of the word in Persianate cultures
>>     (courage, love, pain) is a *later cultural development*, not
>>     etymological.
>>
>> Would you like a linguistic family tree of this word across Indo-European
>> languages?
>>
>>
>>
>> Am 08.08.2025 um 16:59 schrieb Madhav Deshpande via INDOLOGY:
>>
>> https://claude.ai/share/2fe502db-185f-447d-b742-88e87ff1c17c
>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://claude.ai/share/2fe502db-185f-447d-b742-88e87ff1c17c__;!!DZ3fjg!7empG3RZB65PWHDWZivLaKrN86ZLoEMwKy9oIFuSdPC7-Wi-CY4O5u-3jVndiUib2RgecbhnxRofluIewH3spllBBM6k$>
>>
>> Some interesting connections of the Persian word jigar to Sanskrit word
>> taker for liver.
>>
>> Madhav Deshpande
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing listINDOLOGY@list.indology.infohttps://list.indology.info/mailman/listinfo/indology <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://list.indology.info/mailman/listinfo/indology__;!!DZ3fjg!7empG3RZB65PWHDWZivLaKrN86ZLoEMwKy9oIFuSdPC7-Wi-CY4O5u-3jVndiUib2RgecbhnxRofluIewH3spug9qFoj$>
>>
>> --
>> Dr. R. H. Koch - Germany/Sri Lanka www.rolfheinrichkoch.wordpress.com <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.rolfheinrichkoch.wordpress.com/__;!!DZ3fjg!7empG3RZB65PWHDWZivLaKrN86ZLoEMwKy9oIFuSdPC7-Wi-CY4O5u-3jVndiUib2RgecbhnxRofluIewH3spnf2lNt0$>
>>
>>
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>>
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**********************************************
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