Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c13.13

c13.13

**Literature known to Kātyāyana and Patañjali.** We notice a considerable advancement of learning in the subsequent ages of Kātyāyana and Patañjali. The advancement is shown in regard to both depth and width, i.e. in the growth of the literature bearing on the old traditional subjects and the growth of *new* subjects in the process of time. We have already cited above the evidence proving it. But there is some further evidence to be considered in that connection. For instance, there is to be noticed a considerable growth of grammatical literature. Pāṇini mentions among his predecessors Āpiśali, Kāśyapa, Gārgya, Gālava, Chākravarmaṇa, Bhāradvāja, Śākaṭāyana, Śākalya, Senaka, Sphoṭāyana, and also those authors designated by the collective appellation of eastern [ii, 4, 60; iii, 4, 18; iv, 1, 17, 43, 160, etc.] and northern grammarians [iii, 4, 19; iv, 1, 130, 157; etc.]. To this list of names Patañjali makes his own additions. In one place he mentions the four landmarks in the history of grammar, viz. those represented by the schools of the four Āchāryas, Āpiśala—Pāṇini—Vyāḍi—Gautama [vi, 2, 36], the order of the mention being, according to a Sūtra [the *Vārttikas* to ii, 2, 34], that of chronology. He mentions also grammarians of the School of the Bhāradvājīyas [iii, 1, 89 (1); iv, 1, 79 (1); vi, 4, 47 (1); ib., 155 (1)], and Saunāgas [ii, 2, 18 (1-4); vi, 3, 44 (1)], as also Kuṇaravāḍava [vii, 3, 1 (6)], Sauryabhāgavat [viii, 2, 106 (3)], and Kuṇi [Kaiyyaṭa's gloss on i, 1, 75]. There is also an indefinite number of grammarians designated under the words "some" and "others" (*Kechit* and *Apare*) [see Goldstucker's *Pāṇini* for these references]. There is also a reference to those who study or understand the Vārttikasūtra and Saṁgrahasūtra.¹ Besides grammar, there is a number of other secular subjects mentioned. A person well-versed in the science of (augury from observing) crows is called *Vāyasavidyika*. Similarly, there are references to experts in sciences bearing upon cows (Gaulakshaṇika) and horses (Āśvalakshaṇika), upon interpretation of signs (Lākshaṇika), upon dyes of lac (Lākshika ?). There is a reference to a subject called *Anusū* (the meaning of which I cannot ascertain). Next we have references to *Aṅgavidyā* (knowledge of lucky or unlucky marks on the body), *Kshatravidyā* (military science or *Dhanurvidyā*, the science of the bow, archery) and *Dharmavidyā* (Law). Patañjali distinguishes between *Ākhyānas* (historical stories), e.g. those connected with Yavakrīta, Priyaṅgu, Yayāti, and *Ākhyāyikās* (works of fiction), e.g. those connected with Vāsavadattā or Sumanottarā, and refers to *Itihāsa* and *Purāṇa* [iv, 2, 60]. A Vārttika mentions Vyāsa whose son is named Śuka by Patañjali [iv, 1, 97]. The story of Kaṁsa being killed by Kṛishṇa is referred to by Patañjali as being very popular [iii, 1, 26 (6)].