Sanskrit Questions for Andhrabharati

[aumsanskrit]

Thank you, Andhrabharati for your previous clarification.

Here is another (similar) question, regarding the spelling of the compound cited here:

Apte Dictionary gives: "ardhanārī" , "ardhanaṭeśvara" , (and perhaps) "ardhanārīnaṭeśvara". These three compounds are a bit "unclear", because sometimes Apte lists a compound in a separated format - thus (perhaps) "ardhanārīnaṭeśvara".

MW Dictionary gives: "ardhanārīnāṭeśvara".

I hope that Andhrabharati will clarify the above cited forms, so that we may know what is correct according to his great authority.

[Andhrabharati]

First let me correct one error in my earlier reply to "ardhajīvikā" in AP57.

It came in to AP S2H (1963) through AP57 and not the reverse way as I mentioned.

[aumsanskrit]

Here is another compound given only in Shabda-Sagara Dictionary. When I find only a single source for a word, I am generally skeptical as to its accuracy.

I hope that Andhrabharati will confirm this compound one way or another:

"arkāhna m. (-hnaḥ) Swallow wort. (E. arka, and ahna)."

[Andhrabharati]

You guessed it right; AP57 entry need to be formed as "ardhanārīnaṭeśvara".

The source for MW's entry is the pwk, which in turn had it through Weber (as picked up from a manuscript work ardhanārīnāṭeśvarastotram in the Royal Berlin Library).

[Andhrabharati]

"arkāhna m. (-hnaḥ) Swallow wort. (E. arka, and ahna)."

SHS has it in error! The correct entry should be "arkāhva m. (-hvaḥ)".

[aumsanskrit]

Here is another question, regarding the spelling of the compound cited here:

Apte Dictionary gives: "ardhapāñcālika".
MW Dictionary gives: "ardhapāñcālaka".

I hope that Andhrabharati will clarify the above cited forms, so that we may know what is correct according to his great authority.

[Andhrabharati]

Where is "ardhapāñcālika" seen in Apte?

Both "ardhapāñcālaka (adj.)" and "ardhapāñcālikā (f.)" are valid forms & to be seen in almost all the dictionaries [incl. Apte & MW].

[aumsanskrit]

In Apte's Dictionary: https://sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/APScan/2020/web/webtc1/index.php

—> Look under the Headword "ardha". Here, Apte lists all of the relevant compounds, including "ardhapāñcālika".

[Andhrabharati]

Do not know how I missed this!
[Recalled that I was looking at pāñcālaka and pāñcālikā instead.]

Anyway, it is a clear print error; you may refer to the commentaries on Pāṇini (7.3.12) [incl. your favorite SK.] for the word "ardhapāñcālaka".

[aumsanskrit]

There appears to be a classification error in MW dictionary in regard to the verbal root "jarc". The Dhātupāṭha (as well as MW) number this root as follows: "Dhātup. xxviii, 17" ; this clearly places the root "jarc" in the "Class 6" grouping of verbal roots. However, MW dictionary boldly states: "cl. 1. °cati".

What does Andhrabharati have to say?

[Andhrabharati]

√jarc & √jarts are considered as equivalent roots across various schools of dhātupāṭha; however, Pāṇini has placed them under different classes (at 6.17 & 1.748 respectively).

The MW99 correctly "maps" the √jarts to cl. 1., being at Dhātup. 17,66

jarts, °tsati = √jarc, Dhātup. xvii, 66 [MW ID=77754].

But, it has erred in case of √jarc by "mapping" it to cl. 1. (whereas it has to be cl. 6.), being at Dhātup. 28,17

jarc (= √jarts) cl. 1. °cati, to speak, Dhātup. xxviii, 17 [MW ID =77741].

Incidentally it may be noted that MW72 has it as cl. 1. 6. P; while WIL & and its "offshoot" SHS have it properly as cl. 6.

Apte also erred by having shown the correlative order "jarc rch, rj 1 6 P."; which, in correct sense, should've been "jarc rch, rj 6 1 P."!
[This is apparently 'picked up' from MW72.]

[aumsanskrit]

MW dictionary and Shabda list only the form "adhomukhā" with the meaning "the plant Premna Esculenta." However, Apte also includes the feminine form: "adhomukhī", as well. I am grateful if Andhrabharati will confirm both feminine spellings: "adhomukhā" and "adhomukhī" as meaning "N. of a plant gojihvā"; or is Apte in error by including "adhomukhī"?

[Andhrabharati]

"adhomukhā" is the name to be seen in the Indian medical works for the plant "gojihvā" (Premna Esculenta), and in all the Sanskrit dictionaries (incl. Apte).

"adhomukhī" appears to be the name of a bird (the Petersburg dictionary listed this meaning from Galanos' Greek dictionary), and it is surprising that Apte listed both the -khā, -khī endings for the plant itself!!

However, the Poona dictionary has the confirmed meaning "female bat (hanging upside down)" with the citation [दिवान्धा
वक्त्रविष्ठा स्याद्वल्गुनी मातृवाहिनी।अपादा पक्षनखराधोमुख्यर्धजरत्यपि KalpaK.]

[aumsanskrit]

I believe that I have found a significant Headword Typo in MW dictionary. The error is listed in MW dictionary as: "arśoghora [ID=16469 ]" mfn. destroying hemorrhoids.

The uttarapada used here: "ghora" does not mean "destroying", and no other authority lists this word: "arśoghora".

However, Apte as well as a number of other dictionaries list the Headword "arśoghna" meaning "destroying piles". Apte correctly lists "arśoghna", under the "arśas [ID=4620]" compounds.

[Andhrabharati]

I believe that I have found a significant Headword Typo in MW dictionary.

YES; it is truly a significant print error in MW99.

The MW72 and the parent sources PWG & pwk (which MW just literally translates to English most of the times) have the headwords "arśoghna" and "arśoghnī" only, with exactly the same meanings!!

[aumsanskrit]

In the compounds listed under the pūrvapada: "śatam [ID=31610]", Apte prints: " śataparvan -m. a bamboo. (-f.) 1 the full-moon day in the month of Āśvina. 2 Dūrvā grass. 3 the plant Kaṭukā. 4 orris root. 5 the wife of Bhārgava or Śukra."

However, MW dictionary takes these feminine definitions under the feminine form: "śataparvā".

Now, Apte does not specify a change in the prātipadika listed as "śataparvan". Apte simply prints: "(-f.)". And of course, there are feminine words such as: "sīman", which end in "an".

So the question for Andhrabharati is this: Should the cited feminine definitions above belong to: "śataparvā" (as per MW), or "śataparvan f." (as apparently according to Apte)?

[Andhrabharati]

Without going into too much of details, "śataparvā" is the proper feminine form (unlike "sīman" etc. which fall under special cases)!

Both Apte & MW having resorted to some space-saving techniques (each, of their own), occasionally gave scope to such erroneous forms! One has to be vigilant, while looking at such places.

[aumsanskrit]

I believe that I have found a "print change" correction to the following listing in Apte Dictionary:

"alagardaḥ [ID=4645]" A water-serpent, the black variety of the Cobra de Capello (also written alagartha).

The print change here is in regard to the portion cited above: "(also written alagartha)."

MW dictionary (and another source as well) give the alternative spelling as: "alagardha".

[aumsanskrit]

From MW dictionary:

pra-vi-jahya mfn. (fr. √jah; cf. pra-vi √3. hā) to be given up or abandoned, L. [ID=136980 ]

—My question is in regard to the citation: " fr. √jah", I find no indication of the verbal root "jah".

I hope that Andhrabharati will comment upon this.

[Andhrabharati]

A mention of √jah may be seen at Grassmann's Dictionary of Rigveda (Wörterbuch zum RigVeda).

While MW took it as equivalent to √3. hā, Grassmann took it to be the same root as √2. hā (obviously it is not the same as at MW, but is from PWG)!

[aumsanskrit]

Three forms are distinctly given (all with the same meaning), by three separate authorities:

–—1) (arthavaikalya) MW Dictionary
–—2) (arthavaikalpya) Apte Dictionary
–—3) (arthavaikalpa) Shabda Dictionary

Are all three forms valid?

[Andhrabharati]

"vikalpa" is the proper word from which "vaikalpa" gets derived, of which "vaikalya" is a faulty (wrong) reading!
But, "vaikalpyam" may indeed be considered as the alt. form for "vaikalpa" as stated in Apte!

And the same gets applied when "artha-" is prefixed to it.
[The word "arthavaikalpa" is present in Manusmṛiti (8.95); "vaikalya" which is derived from "vikala" does not fit the context!]

[Andhrabharati]

The word "arthavaikalpa" is present in Manusmṛiti (8.95); "vaikalya" which is derived from "vikala" does not fit the context!

"vikalpa" is the proper word from which "vaikalpa" gets derived, of which "vaikalya" is a faulty (wrong) reading!

I was too hasty in mentioning the above.
In fact, it should be "arthavaikalya" here in the Manusmṛiti; and the "arthavaikalpa" which is present in the initial Calc. editions (of Manusmṛiti, Mahabharata etc.) is the wrong reading for the "arthavaikalya" that is seen in all the later editions.

[aumsanskrit]

I would like your confirmation of an interesting grammatical construction whereby a single declined word is used, though simultaneously requiring a reference to two separate nominal stems (one in the masculine gender and one in the neuter gender).

Here is the verse:

एष देव दितेर्गर्भ ओज: काश्यपमर्पितम् ।
दिशस्तिमिरयन् सर्वा वर्धतेऽग्निरिवैधसि ॥ १० ॥

The word used here: "ओज:", appears to simultaneously require a reference to two nominal stems (although appearing only once in the verse).
——1) The first usage is of the prātipadika: "oja" masculine, as indicated by the first word of the verse: "eṣa" (i.e. esaḥ ojaḥ, thus indicating the masculine gender).
——2) The second usage is of the prātipadika: "ojas" neuter, as indicated by the last word of the first line: "arpitam" (i.e. ojaḥ arpitam, thus requiring the neuter gender).

The above verse can be found here: https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/3/15/advanced-view/

[Andhrabharati]

Scott,

Pl. note that एष here does not get associated with ओज, but goes with दितेर्गर्भ.
The masculine Ojas is applied to the name of one of the sons of Kṛṣṇa (Bhāg. P. 10,61,15), and not anywhere else!!

This verse has ojas (neuter) = semen, which is a very prominently used word.

BTW, noticed that the "vedabase" anvaya [arranging the poetic word-order into meaningful prosaic word-order] for this verse

eṣaḥ — this; deva — O lord; diteḥ — of Diti; garbhaḥ — womb; ojaḥ — semen; kāśyapam — of Kaśyapa; arpitam — deposited; diśaḥ — directions; timirayan — causing complete darkness; sarvāḥ — all; vardhate — overloads; agniḥ — fire; iva — as; edhasi — fuel.

is very erratic, and also does not "match" with its own translation!

As fuel overloads a fire, so the embryo created by the semen of Kaśyapa in the womb of Diti has caused complete darkness throughout the universe.

If it is of similar nature throughout, I really wonder how this "vedabase" can impart "proper" understanding to the reader!!
------------------------------
This is the anvaya in "traditional" Indian context, for this verse--
देव - एधसि - - अग्निः इव - अर्पितम् - काश्यपम् - ओजः - एषः - दितेः - गर्भः - सर्वाः - दिशः - तिमिरयन् - वर्धते ॥

[aumsanskrit]

Regarding the word “oja”, MW dictionary states: = ojas.

Also the form: "दितेर्गर्भ ओज:", may be a analyzed as: "दितेर् गर्भे ओजः", whereby the word "गर्भे" is used in the locative case meaning: "in the womb of Diti". Therefore, "esaḥ" cannot be "pointing" to "गर्भे" !

I agree with your statement: "is very erratic, and also does not "match" with its own translation!"... The "parsed word translation" is meant loosely as "Synonyms" which, though not perfect, are at times useful.

[aumsanskrit]

arpitam = "placed in" , thus Demanding the locative case: "garbhe" , and not "garbhaḥ" !

[Andhrabharati]

I'd just like to say that you may have your own whimsical interpretation, and no one has any right to deny it!

[aumsanskrit]

I have decided to follow your indication:

The anvaya in "traditional" Indian context, for this verse-- देव - एधसि - - अग्निः इव - अर्पितम् - काश्यपम् - ओजः - एषः - दितेः - गर्भः - सर्वाः - दिशः - तिमिरयन् - वर्धते ॥

But at least, you know that I am considering all possibilities, even if I am ultimately incorrect – which I am more than happy to admit.

[aumsanskrit]

Can you confirm these two words as being separate and distinct from each other:

1. (Given by Apte) — "avaguraṇa n. [ID=4863] menacing, assaulting with intent to kill, assailing with weapons".

2. (Given by MW) – "avagūraṇa n. [ID=17138 ] rustling, roaring".

I understand that the root √gur is a variation of the root √gūr.
——1) Does "avaguraṇa" properly derive from √gur?
——2) Does "avagūraṇa" properly derive from √gūr?

[Andhrabharati]

Here is the English translation of the above (to appease you further)--

[aumsanskrit]

I felt inspired and I hope that this is correct:

त्वं संस्कृतस्यैव महात्मा च अहं स शिष्यः सुखाराध्यः ।

[aumsanskrit]

Apte Dictionary seems to be the "odd man out" in defining the following Headword:

"aśeva a. [śī-vanip-na. ta.] Giving pleasure or happiness. [ID=5831]"

MW Dictionary prints: "á-śeva mf(ā)n. not causing pleasure, pernicious. [ID=19644]"

—— Does Andhrabharati have anything to say?

[Andhrabharati]

Yes, Apte has erred here in the meaning portion, though the grammatical portion [śī-vanip-- na°ta°] is quite correct.

And he alone is not the odd man out here; he has copied the content "as is" from the great Vacaspatyam. (I would count this error among vast majority of print errors that this enclopaedic work has, which otherwise is accurate enough in its content throughout; I take it as my Primary source among the Skt. lexicons).

[aumsanskrit]

Should we leave the online Apte definition for "aśeva" as it is (in error); or should a "print change" be submitted?
And if so, how would the print change read?

[Andhrabharati]

It can be a print error report, by adding a "Not" in the beginning.

[aumsanskrit]

Please comment on the Headword given by Apte: "aśnayā Hunger [ID=5846]".

I do not find this anywhere else except: "Monier Williams 1872 - अश्नया, f., Ved. hunger.".

——But the Headword "aśnayā" appears to be absent from Monier Williams 1899" !

[aumsanskrit]

Under the Headword "aśman [ID=5850]", Apte gives the following compound:

"-jātiḥ an emerald named pannā." However, the great Vacaspatyam appears to print: “पान्ना” ख्यातेमरकतमणौ ।

—Does Andhrabharati have anything to say?

[aumsanskrit]

I see that under the Headword "aśmagarbha", the great Vacaspatyam prints: “पन्ना इति” ख्याते मरकतमणौ ।

Please confirm that "pannā" is correct and that "pānnā" (cited above) is incorrect.

[Andhrabharati]

I see that under the Headword "aśmagarbha", the great Vacaspatyam prints: “पन्ना इति” ख्याते मरकतमणौ ।

Please confirm that "pannā" is correct and that "pānnā" (cited above) is incorrect.

In fact, it is the other way!

In Bengali, পান্না pānnā n. emerald.

[Andhrabharati]

Please comment on the Headword given by Apte: "aśnayā Hunger [ID=5846]".

I do not find this anywhere else except: "Monier Williams 1872 - अश्नया, f., Ved. hunger.".

——But the Headword "aśnayā" appears to be absent from Monier Williams 1899" !

This is a interesting "story" to tell--

This word occurs at Sāmaveda Samhita (I, 4,1,2,3)

and Benfey in his Samaveda Glossar (in German, 1848) says thus-

Here are the two commentaries (by Mādhava & Bharatasvāmi, published in 1941) in Sanskrit for this hymn--

[However, the Sāyaṇa bhāṣya does not contain similar meaning!]

Now coming to AP90 and MW72, these two works have followed the PWG which apart from giving Benfey's meaning, says it might be an erratic reading (Die Stelle scheint indessen verdorben).

And then in pwk, Boehtlingk has completely removed Benfey's meaning and just mentions it to be erroneous (wohl fehlerhaft); which made Monier Williams to "blindly" follow the same, and eliminate the word (aśnayā) altogether in his "revision" to MW99.

As you have been saying many times so far, the Skt. vocabulary can take quite different meanings (depending on context and interpretation) and no one can dare conclusively say that a particular word or a meaning is faulty.

As for me, I would like to go with Benfey (and so Apte) in this case, as this hymn can be interpreted in two different ways & in one way it means "hunger"!
[Interestingly, Benfey does not have this word in his Sanskrit Dictionary (1866); but, that is another story!]

[aumsanskrit]

A question has arisen in MW Dictionary regarding the Headword:

"marīcopapurāṇa n. N. of an Upapurāṇa. [ID=158220]"

Currently this Headword receives "equal indentation status" with all of the compounds listed under the Headword "marīci".

However "marīcopapurāṇa" , since it is the N. of an Upapurāṇa, appears to be formed from the stem "marīca" and not "marīci" !

Please comment on the location and indentation in the Hierarchy List of this MW Headword: "marīcopapurāṇa [ID=158220]".

[Andhrabharati]

Scott, firstly I must appreciate the way you are working!

As the "norm" of MW print goes, "marīcopapurāṇa" is in the same paragraph under "marīci" (H1); and so will be one level below it (H3), as are the other entries in the same paragraph.

As you have correctly pointed out, "marīcopapurāṇa" cannot be a compound of "marīci", as it decomposes to "marīca + upapurāṇa".
So it should not be placed in the same paragraph, but should've been put under "marīca" (i.e. after ID 158187).
It is a clear error in MW's copying from pwk, without applying the brain!

But, how do we "convince" the "admin" (Jim/Dhaval) to correct this?
[@funderburkjim has left this "user correction" activity now; and @drdhaval2785 is not anywhere around!!]

[aumsanskrit]

In Apte Dictionary, under the Headword: "aśmantakaḥ [ID=5856]", and in regard to the particular definition: "N. of a plant from the fibres of which a Brāhmaṇa's girdle may be made"... Apte makes the following comment: "(Monier Williams gives the word wrongly as aśmāntaka.)"

Is Apte correct in this denouncement of the MW Headword: "aśmāntaka m. N. of a plant (from the fibres of which a Brāhman's girdle may be made), Mn. ii, 43. [ID=19774]"

Please comment, and if Apte is correct, what should be done regarding the MW Headword "aśmāntaka [ID=19774]" ?

[Andhrabharati]

Firstly, AP57 made a semi-false statement by saying that "Monier Williams gives the word wrongly as aśmāntaka", because MW has said thus first--

aśmantaka m. (= aśmāntaka, q.v.) N. of a plant, PārGṛ.; Suśr. &c.

Now coming to "aśmāntaka", it is just an addl. form of the word "aśmantaka"; and we come across many such alt./dual forms of words for many Skt. words.

[aumsanskrit]

I am wondering if Apte is incorrect in listing the class 7 √vid with the definition: "1 To know, understand."

Since the word used to define the class 7 √vid is: "vicāraṇa", generally defined with such words as: "consideration, pondering, reflection, discussion, examination, deliberation, investigation."

Is it too much of a stretch to take the class 7 √vid as meaning: "to know, understand"?

If Sanskrit words are too broadly defined, then it seems that the chance of misinterpretation may increase. It reminds me of the saying, "Less is More". MW simply defines the the class 7 √vid as meaning: "consider as, take for (two acc.)", and thereby MW restricts the sense of "to know, understand" to the class 2 √vid.

[aumsanskrit]

Apte lists the Headword: "aślona a. Ved. Not lame. [ID=5889]", and I am wondering if the spelling here is incorrect?

Without the negative particle, Apte, MW etc. spell the Headword as: "śloṇa" with the letter "ṇ".

Therefore should the Headword "aślona" be corrected to read: "aśloṇa" ? Or are both spellings acceptable? Or is Apte indeed correct in using the dental letter "n" ?

[aumsanskrit]

Under the Headword "aśva [ID=5890]", Apte lists many compounds. One of those compounds appears to be a possible spelling error as follows: "-ārohakaḥ N. of the plant aśvagandhā."

Therefore Apte accepts the compound spelled as: "aśvārohakaḥ".

However, MW prints this compound as: "aśvāvarohaka, m. = aśvagandhā, q.v. [ID=20085]".
The MW spelling is also confirmed by many other authorities.

Does Andhrabharati have anything to say?

[aumsanskrit]

A question has arisen regarding the correct feminine form for the name of the plant aparājitā (Clitoria Ternatea). Apte and MW each give a different spelling as follows:

—— Apte (under aśva compounds ID=5890): "aśvakhurā N. of the plant aparājitā."
—— MW (under aśvakhura ID=19888): "aśvakhurī f. the plant Clitoria Ternatea."

Andhrabharati, please confirm which spelling is correct, (or both)?

[aumsanskrit]

Regarding the MW Headword "aśvagati f. [ID=19889]", will Andhrabharati please confirm which is correct (18 or 16?) as follows:

—— MW prints, "N. of a metre (containing four verses of eighteen [or sixteen?] syllables each)."

—— Apte prints, "N. of a metre containing four lines of sixteen syllables in each."

[aumsanskrit]

Under the Headword "aśiva [ID=5806]", Apte gives the feminine word: "aśivā, a female demon or goblin."

— However, Shabda spells this word as "aśivī [ID=4229]".

I suspect that Shabda is incorrect. Can you confirm?

[aumsanskrit]

A question has arisen regarding the MW Headword: "aśviyá ā́, Ved. n. pl. troops of horses, RV. iv, 17, 11. [ID=20151]"

I do not understand why this word is specified in the neuter gender, when in fact the word is given as "aśviyā́" which appears to be feminine!

By way of comparison (as Scott likes to compare dictionaries), Apte prints:
"aśviya a. Referring to horses. -yā Ved (pl.). A troop of horses. [ID=5911]"

Therefore I am recording TWO (related) words in my dictionary:

1. "aśviya a. Referring to horses."
2. "aśviyā Ved (pl.). A troop of horses."

— Am I correct in considering the word "aśviyā" as feminine gender?

The feminine gender appears to be correct from the Vedic usage:

सम् इन्द्रो गा अजयत् सं हिरण्या सम् अश्विया मघवा यो ह पूर्वीः ।
एभिर् नृभिर् नृतमो अस्य शाकै रायो विभक्ता सम्भरश् च वस्वः ॥ (Ṛgveda 4.17.11)

[aumsanskrit]

Under the Headword "aṣṭan [ID=5923]", Apte lists many compounds. One of those compounds appears to be a possible spelling error as follows: "-asriya a. octangular."

—— Therefore Apte accepts the compound spelled as: "aṣṭāsriya".

However, MW prints this compound as: "aṣṭāsri mfn. having eight corners. [ID=20320]".
The MW spelling is also confirmed by the uttarapada, which Apte himself lists as a Headword in hiw own dictionary:
"asriḥ, an angle [ID=6267]"

Does Andhrabharati have anything to say?

[aumsanskrit]

Under the Headword "aṣṭan [ID=5923]", Apte lists many compounds. One of those compounds appears to be a possible spelling error as follows: "-ah (n) a. lasting for 8 days."

—— Therefore Apte accepts the compound spelled as: "aṣṭāh".

However, two other dictionaries spell this compound as follows:

—— MW Dictionary: "aṣṭāha mfn. lasting eight days (as a certain Soma sacrifice) [ID=20321]".
—— Vaidya Dictionary: "aṣṭāha –– aṣṭan-aha a. lasting eight days. [ID=4254]".

Does Andhrabharati have anything to say?

[aumsanskrit]

In regard to the root √edh, the following Ātm. liṭ forms (perfect tense) seem to be exceptional (for example neither Apte nor MW make any mention):

First: edhe edhivahe edhimahe
Second: edhiṣe edhāthe edhidhve
Third: edhe edhāte edhire

— The usual perfect tense seems to be formed by auxiliary supplementation taken from the roots: √bhū, √kṛ and √as.

An example of this exceptional usage is seen here (in the second to last word of the verse):

स्वायम्भुवस्य च मनोर्वंश: परमसम्मत: ।
कथ्यतां भगवन् यत्र मैथुनेनैधिरे प्रजा: ॥ १ ॥ (ŚB 3.21.1).

I am wondering if Andhrabharati has anything to add regarding this seemingly exceptional usage.

[aumsanskrit]

Under the Headword "aṣṭan [ID=5923]", Apte lists many compounds. An important question has arisen regarding four Headwords that Apte considers as sharing common meanings, however MW dictionary makes some specific distinctions. Generally, I prefer "distinct" meanings rather than a "generalized" application of meanings.

The four Headwords that Apte groups together with a common listing of definitions are:
"aṣṭāpada", "aṣṭāpad", "aṣṭapada" and "aṣṭapad", as follows:

-pada, -d (°ṣṭa° or °ṣṭā°) a.
1 eight-footed.
2 a term for a pregnant animal.
-padaḥ (°ṣṭā°)
1 a spider.
2 a fabulous animal called Śarabha.
3 a worm.
4 a wild sort of jasmin.
5 a pin or bolt.
6 the mountain Kailāsa (the abode of Kubera).
(-daḥ, -dam) [aṣṭasu dhātuṣu padaṃ pratiṣṭhā yasya Malli. ]
1 gold; āvarjitāṣṭāpadakumbhatoyaiḥ Ku. 7. 10 ; Śi. 3. 28.
2 a kind of chequered cloth or a board for drafts, dice-board (Mar. paṭa);

MW agrees with Apte regarding the Headword: "aṣṭā—pada m. ‘having eight legs’, a spider, L. [ID=20278]", as well as with the remaining definitions.

—— However, in regard to the remaining three variations MW prints:

"aṣṭā́—pad (aṣṭā́-), mfn., only f. -padī (a verse) having eight lines, eightfold (as speech or verses), RV.; AV. [ID=20277 ]
(in ritual language) a pregnant animal, VS.; ŚBr.; KātyŚr. (also neg. án-aṣṭāpadi, ‘not a pregnant animal’, ŚBr.) [ID=20277.1 ]
a wild sort of jasmin, L. [ID=20277.2 ]"

"aṣṭa—pada mf(ā)n. having eight Padas (as a metre), RPrāt. [ID=20209 ]
[Printed book page 1318,1]
consisting of 8 words, Mālatīm., Sch. [ID=20209.1 sup]"

"aṣṭa—pad m. (nom. -pād), ‘having eight legs’, a spider, L. [ID=20207 ]
the fabulous animal generally called Sarabha, L. [ID=20208 ]"

—— Does Andhrabharati have anything to say in regard to these four Headwords: "aṣṭāpada", "aṣṭāpad", "aṣṭapada" and "aṣṭapad", specifically in regard to "subtle and specific" differences in meaning?

[aumsanskrit]

Under the Headword "aṣṭan [ID=5923]", Apte lists many compounds. One of those compounds is spelled as: "aṣṭalohakam a class of 8 metals", and this spelling is confirmed by three other authorities.

— However, MW dictionary is the "odd man out" and prints this compound simply as:
"aṣṭaloha n. = -dhātu, q.v., Hcat. [ID=20230]", without mentioning the spelling: "aṣṭalohaka".

— Does Andhrabharati have anything to say? Is MW incorrect here? Or are both spellings approved?

[Andhrabharati]

Under the Headword "aṣṭan [ID=5923]", Apte lists many compounds. One of those compounds is spelled as: "aṣṭalohakam a class of 8 metals", and this spelling is confirmed by three other authorities.

— However, MW dictionary is the "odd man out" and prints this compound simply as: "aṣṭaloha n. = -dhātu, q.v., Hcat. [ID=20230]", without mentioning the spelling: "aṣṭalohaka".

— Does Andhrabharati have anything to say? Is MW incorrect here? Or are both spellings approved?

The parent source of MW entry (pwk) has it thus--

giving the citation from Hemādri caturvargacintāmaṇi

While MW gives the source as H(emādri)cat(aturvargacintāmaṇi), he has changed the content of pwk, from "= °ka" to "= -dhātu".
This is the reason for the confusion!
[But, Hcat also has aṣṭadhātu, as mentioned in the Vacaspatyam!]

On the whole, we can take that all 3 words aṣṭadhātu, aṣṭaloha & aṣṭalohaka to indicate the same!

[Andhrabharati]

I am wondering if Apte is incorrect in listing the class 7 √vid with the definition: "1 To know, understand."

Without going into much details, suffice to say "it looks like that!" [Apte gives the same meaning under class 2 as well!]

[aumsanskrit]

Apte appears to be "the odd man out" and likely mistaken here:

Under the Headword "asapatna [ID=6042]", Apte prints: "-tnī A sort of brick (iṣṭakābhedaḥ)."

However, both MW dictionary and Böhtlingk give this feminine form as: "asapatnā f. a certain brick (etc.)"

— Does Andhrabharati have anything to say?