________________ xix Regarding the text of the Mahabhasya, the traditions recorded in the Rajatarangini (1.488-489) and in the Vakyapadiya (2.484-490) state that it had become hopelessly corrupt in the time of king Abhimanyu of Kasmira, that only one authentic Ms. of it existed throughout India, from which all subsequent copies of it have been derived. The work, like Panini's Astadhyayi, is divided into eight adhyayas each further subdivided into four padas. Still further each pada is subdivided into from one to nine ahnikas73. The Mahabhasya is composed in the form of dialogues in which take part a student (sisya) who questions the purpose (prayojana) of rules and their formulations, an unaccomplished teacher (acaryadesiya) who suggests solutions which are not fully acceptable, and a teacher (acarya) who states what is the finally acceptable view (siddhanta). Commentators also refer to an ekadesin one who knows only part (ekadesa) of the final view. In keeping with the purpose of the Mahabhasya to discuss the rules and test their validity and consistency, not all of Panini's rules are subjected to independent discussions. The argumentation involved in these discussions includes the citation of examples (udahurana) and counter-examples (pratyudaharana) for rules and also illustrations (drstanta) showing how things proceed in grammar in some ways parallel to real life74. . It is the first and oldest existing commentary on the Astadhyayi of Panini and has remained supremely authoritative and furnishes the last and final word in all places of doubt. Besides commenting on the Sutras of Panini, Patanjali has raised many other grammatical issues and after discussing them fully and thoroughly, given his conclusions which have become the final dicta in those matters. The work, in short, has become an encyclopedic one and hence aptly called a mine (khani) or a treasure (akara)75. 2 3.11. Panini, Katyayana and Patanjali are traditionally known as the "three sages" (muni-trayam), who gave the law to the science of grammar. Each took for his study the whole field of the living language, and the contribution made by each to the stock of inherited knowledge and ideas are considerable. Patanjali's Mahabhasya for a time marked the highest point in the development of the science of grammar. 4. Other Significant Pre-Buddhisagara Works of Sanskrit Grammar 4.1. Candragomin (5th cent. A. D.) the author of the Candravakarana was a close student of Panini, Katyayana and Patanjali, and for his work he utilized all their labours, trying in several places to improve upon them in the form as well as the matter of their sutras, vartikas and
