India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c10.s2.9

c10.s2.9

Commentaries were named after the topics they expounded (*vyākhyātavyā-nāmnaḥ*, IV.3.66), *e.g.* *Supāṁ vyākhyānaḥ Saupaḥ granthaḥ* (a book on Nouns); similarly *Tiṅa* (verbs); *Kārta* (verbal Nouns); *Shātvaṇatvikam* (Cerebralisation); *Nātanātikam* (Accentuation). Pāṇini cites examples of commentarial literature dealing with topics, both big and small; *e.g.* (1) *kratus* (IV.3.68) such as (a) *Āgnishṭomika* (dealing with Agnishṭoma sacrifice), (b) *Vājapeyika* (dealing with Vājapeya sacrifice), (c) *Rājasūyika* (dealing with Rājasūya sacrifice); (2) *Yajñas* (smaller sacrifices in the domestic fire, IV.3.68), such as (a) *Pākayajñika*, (b) *Nāvayajñika*; (3) *Adhyāyas* (Chapters of Vedic works, IV.3.69), such as (a) *Vāsiśhṭhika Adhyāya* (*Vasishṭhasya vyākhyānaḥ*, commentary of the Seventh *Maṇḍala* of the *Ṛigveda*), (b) *Vaiśvamitrika* (Third *Maṇḍala*); and (4) smaller works, like (i) *Pauroḍāśika* (relating to the explanation of the *mantras* used in the preparation of *puroḍāśa* oblation); (ii) *Puroḍāśika* (relating to the regulations for the preparation of *puroḍāśa*); (iii) *Chhandasya* or *Chhāndasa* (a book on meters, IV.3.71); (iv) *Aishṭika* (IV.3.72, on the household sacrifices); (v) *Pāśuka* (animal sacrifices); (vi) *Chātur-hotṛika* (relating to the Chatur-hotṛi service, performed by the four chief-priests); (vii) *Pāñchahotṛika* (on the particular formula called *pañcha-hotṛi*, in which five deities are named); (viii) *Brāhmaṇika* (commentary of a *Brāhmaṇa*); (ix) *Ārchika* (of the *Ṛik* verses); (x) *Prāthamika* (probably the Prathmārchika of the *Sāmveda*); (xi) *Ādhvarika* (relating to the Adhvara or Soma-sacrifice); (xii) *Pauraścharaṇika* (relating to a preparatory rite as mentioned in the *Śatapatha* Br.); (xiii) *Nāmika* (dealing with Nouns) and (xiv) *Ākhyātika* (dealing with Verbs; IV.3.72). (xv) *Ārgayana* (=*Ṛigayana-vyākhyāna*, explanatory of the recitation or study of the whole *Ṛigveda*, IV.3.73, cf. also *Kāśikā* on VI.2.151). This extensive literature of commentaries is mentioned in the *sūtras*, IV.3.68-72. Other explanatory works based on minor texts are cited in the *Ṛig-ayanādi gaṇa* (IV.3.73), such as *Chhandomāna*, *Chhandobhāshā*, *Chhandovichiti*, *Nyāya*, *Punarukta*, *Vyākaraṇa*, *Nigama*, *Vāstuvidyā*, *Aṅgavidyā*, *Kshattravidyā*, *Utpāta*, *Saṁvatsara*, *Muhūrta*, *Nimitta*, etc. (Cf. *aṅgavijjā*, *vatthuvijjā*, *khattavijjā* in the Brahmajālasutta, Dīghanikāya, I.21).