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CCLXXVI
Kavyanusasana
chandra to compose a good grammar after his return from Mälava. The Pra. Cha. gives a long account describing the occasion which was responsible for the writing of this grammar which is not only not contradictory to what Hemachandra himself says, but which supplements it, and which appears to be highly probable.
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'Once when the officers were showing the king books from the Library of Avanti, his (Jayasimha's) eyes fell upon a 'lakshana pustaka'-a book on grammar. The king, asked What is this?" Swami that is Hemachandra answered "This is the Bhoja - Vyakarana. It is the prevelant grammar of the language. The lord of Malava was the crest-jewel of the learned. He composed works on Sabdaṣastra, Alamkāraṣastra, Daivnjaṣastra and Tarkaṣastra." Thus Hemachandra goes on mentioning the various works by Bhoja (vs. 74-78).' The patriotic jealousy of the king was probably roused.' He asked: 46 Have we no such series of scientific books in our library? Have we no learned man Vidvān) in all Gurjara deșa?" The learned men (in the assembly) looked at Hemachandra, all simultaneously. The king very respectfully appealed to Hemachandra and requested him : Fulfil my desire, Oh Maharshi ! Compose the science which will give proficiency in Language. Who, other than you, is the master? At the present time, the short Kalapaka grammar is in use; but it does not give sufficient knowledge of the language. There is the Grammar of Panini. But the Brāhmaṇas say it is a part of the Veda (Vedasya angam); and through arrogance they are fault-finding. What is to be done when they are averse? Oh leader of the Munis!
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