Question

Which one of the following is a work of Panini on Sanskrit grammar?

• A. Sushrut Samhita
• B. tyashastra
• C. Ashtadhyayi
• D. Abhigyanshakuntlam

Hint:

To remember ancient Sanskrit works, keep their main domains separated: Ashtadhyayi = Grammar (Panini); Charaka/Sushruta Samhita = Medicine/Surgery; tyashastra = Drama (Bharata Muni); Abhigyanshakuntlam = Literature (Kalidasa).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding Panini and His Background:
Panini was an ancient Indian Sanskrit philologist, grammarian, and a highly revered scholar who lived around the $5^{\text{th}}$ to $4^{\text{th}}$ century BCE in Gandhara. He is intertiolly acclaimed as the father of scientific linguistics.

Step 2: Identifying the Primary Work:
Panini's magnum opus is the Ashtadhyayi, which translates to “eight chapters.” In this work, he formulated $3,959$ highly structured, algebraic-like rules (sutras) of Sanskrit morphology, syntax, and semantics. This text laid down the standard structure of Classical Sanskrit.

Step 3: Alyzing Other Options:

• (A) Sushrut Samhita is a foundatiol Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery, pioneered by the legendary ancient surgeon Sushruta.
• (B) tyashastra is a comprehensive ancient encyclopedic treatise on the performing arts, theatre, dance, and music, credited to sage Bharata Muni.
• (D) Abhigyanshakuntlam is a classic Sanskrit play written by the illustrious Gupta-era poet and dramatist Kalidasa.