India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c8.s14.60

c8.s14.60

Pāṇini names all the six seasons, *e.g.* *vasanta* (IV.3.46), *grīshma* (IV.3.49), *varshā* (IV.3.18; also called *prāvṛish* (IV.3.17; 26), *śarad* (IV.3.12; 27), *hemanta* (IV.3.21-22) and *śiśira* (II.4.28). Each season (*ṛitu*) comprised two months, as shown by the mention of the two parts of a season, like *pūrvavārshika* and *aparavārshika*, the first and latter part of rains (*Avayayād-ṛitoḥ*, VII.3.11; see also *Bhāshya*, I.1.72.18; I. 186 mentioning *pūrva-* and *apara-śārada*, and also *-naidāgha*). Patañjali tells us that *śiśira* preceded *vasanta* and that the winter solstice began with *śiśira* (*śiśira-vasantāv=udagayanasthau*, *Bhāshya*, II.2.34; I.436). In the *Arthaśāstra* also *uttarāyaṇa* begins with *śiśira*, consisting of the two months *Māgha* and *Phālguna* (*Artha*. II.20 p. 109).