India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c8.s5.24

c8.s5.24

The parents are called *Pitarau* by the *Ekaśesha* compound which drops out *mātā* (I.2.70). Patañjali's illustration *mātā-pitarau* on the *vārttika*, *Abhyarhitam* (II.2.34; 1.436) recalls Manu's view that the mother was entitled to greater esteem than the father (*Manu*, II.145). Pāṇini was probably of the same view as inferred from his mentioning *Mātāmaha* before *Pitāmaha* (IV.2.36). In the *Ekaśesha* compounds like *Pitarau* (parents), *Bhrātarau* (brother and sister, I.2.68), *Putrau* (son and daughter, I.2.68), and *Śvaśurau* (parents-in-law, I.2.71), it is always the word for the male that is retained and expresses the female also, which is probably indicative of his importance in a patriarchal society. The *sūtra* I.2.67, *Pumān striyā* points to their relative positions. According to *sūtras* I.2.56 and 57 Pāṇini knowingly eschewed the discussion of *Pradhāna* (Principal) and *Upasarjana* (Subordinate) from the *Ashṭādhyāyī*. In his view the usage of society is the best guide in matters like defining the primary and secondary position of husband and wife, teacher and pupil, male and female, etc.