India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c12.s6.32

c12.s6.32

Gandhāra, Pāṇini's homeland, and Pārsa, both occur as names of two provinces in the Behistun Inscription, brought under the common sovereignty of Darius (521-486 B.C.), which promoted their mutual intercourse. Pāṇini knows Gāndhārī as a kingdom (IV.¹.169). It seems that soon after the death of Darius Gandhāra became independent, as would appear from the manner of its mention by Pāṇini as an independent *janapada*. Pāṇini's *Pārśava* is nearer to the Old-Persian form Pārsa (cf. the Behistun Inscription) denoting both the country and its inhabitants, and king Darius calls himself a *Pārsa*, *Pārsahyā pusa*, 'Persian, son of a Persian' (Susa inscription, *J.A.O.S.*, 51.222).