A History of Sanskrit Literature c9.s3.1

c9.s3.1

Direct and conclusive evidence of the production of secular Sanskrit literature before 150 B. C. is afforded by the testimony of the *Mahābhāṣya*.² Much earlier evidence from the point of view of grammar would be available, if we could believe the assertion³ of Rājaçekhara—perhaps the dramatist—that Pāṇini was the author not merely of the grammar but also of the *Jāmbavatīvijaya*; that epic and apparently another, the *Pātālavijaya*, are ascribed to him by anthologies which cite verses from them. The fact, however, that grammatical errors occur in a verse from the latter work renders the ascription implausible, even if epic excuse can be alleged, and we may reasonably accept the existence of two or more Pāṇinis, despite the rarity of the name.