India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c10.s3.t1.10

c10.s3.t1.10

(2) *Bāshkala*. Another important recension of the Ṛigveda was represented by the Bāshkalas according to the *Charaṇa-Vyūha* (Weber, *H.I.L.*, p. 32). This recension is not directly mentioned by Pāṇini, but one of the disciples of Bāshkala was Parāśara who founded the Pārāśarī Śākhā. Patañjali refers to a Kalpa work of this school, the students being known as *Pārāśara-kalpika* (*Bhāshya* on IV.2.60). Pāṇini had this Vedic School in mind when he mentioned the *Bhikṣu-sūtras* of Pārāśarya developed as a special branch of study under the auspices of the Pārāśara *Charaṇa*, the followers of which, having embraced the ascetic life, were known as Pārāśarin Bhikhsus (*Pārāśariṇaḥ bhikshavaḥ*, IV.3.110). It may be noted that the Pārāśarya School showed its originality in producing the *Bhikshu-sūtras* as a class of *Prokta* literature, and not any *Chhāndasa* works for which they depended on the Bāshkala School.