India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c6.92

c6.92

PĀṆINI AS A *TEACHER*—The title *Vṛitti-sūtra* applied by Patañjali to Pāṇini’s work (I.371) means that the *sūtras* of Pāṇini were the subject of a *vṛitti* or commentary, which was the result of his own teaching. Kautsa was a well-known disciple of Pāṇini as mentioned by Patañjali (*upasedivān Kautsaḥ Pāṇinim*, II.115). The *Kāśikā* adds that he was a resident pupil (*anūshivān*) of Pāṇini and was directly instructed by him (*upaśuśruvān*, III.2.108). It may be accepted that Pāṇini’s explanations (*Vṛitti*) formed the model and standard for later commentaries on his *sūtras*.