Ashtadhyayi Foundation Chapters 1 & 2 (Ashtadhyayi of Panini)

The Ashtadhyayi of Panini is the magnum opus of the famed grammarian who lived circa 600BC. Literally, "Ashtadhyayi" means "The book that has 8 Chapters for study". It is the source for Sanskrit Grammar, and is the ultimate choice for serious linguists and scholars.

In the Ashtadhyayi there are 8 chapters, with each chapter having 4 quarters known as padas. Thus there are a total of 8x4 = 32 padas that are broad Topic Heads. Ashtadhyayi is basically a treatise on WORD-CONSTRUCTION. It gives the precise method for forming words based on Root Sounds listed in an Appendix called the Dhatupatha, known as "Roots of the Sanskrit Language", and a text known as Ganapatha that contains many Noun Stems. Words are of two broad types - VERBS (Tinganta) and NOUNS (Subanta).

This book gives a detailed English commentary on the foundation chapters 1 & 2, i.e. on the initial eight padas. Topics are clearly mentioned, and so are the technical terms. There is also an index listing the Sanskrit Sutras w.r.t Siddhanta Kaumudi and Laghu.

Panini was a Linguist, Grammarian. Programmer, Sage and Visionary. His Ashtadhyayi describing the Vyakarana of the Sanskrit language remains till date the most complete and authoritative work in this regard.