Paniniya Ashtadhyayi Pravachanam Part 03
Added to library: September 2, 2025

Summary
It appears you're asking for a summary of the provided Jain text, which is titled "Paniniya Ashtadhyayi Pravachanam Part 03" by Sudarshanacharya, published by Bramharshi Swami Virjanand Arsh Dharmarth Nyas Zajjar. The catalog link provided is for jainqq.org.
The text you've provided is actually not a Jain text. It is a commentary on Pāṇini's Ashtadhyayi, a foundational text of Sanskrit grammar, which is central to Hinduism and Vedic traditions.
Therefore, I will provide a summary of the Sanskrit grammatical text you have shared, focusing on the content presented in the pages you've extracted.
Based on the provided pages, this is Volume 3 of a commentary on Pāṇini's Ashtadhyayi, specifically focusing on the Fourth Chapter (Chaturth Adhyay). The author, Sudarshanacharya, aims to provide a simple Sanskrit commentary and an explanation in Hindi (titled 'Aryabhasha').
Here's a summary of the content covered in the provided pages:
Key Focus:
- Introduction to Fourth Chapter: The preface states that the fourth and fifth chapters of the Ashtadhyayi particularly describe gotra (lineage), janapada (regions/kingdoms), mountains, rivers, measures (weights and volumes), and coins.
- Detailed Explanation of Concepts: The text proceeds to explain these concepts in detail, with a focus on Pāṇini's grammatical rules and their application.
Main Topics Covered in the Provided Pages:
-
Gotra (Lineage/Genealogy):
- Definition: Pāṇini's definition of gotra is provided: "Apatyam pautraprabhṛti gotram" (4.1.162), meaning offspring from the grandson onwards is called gotra.
- Etymology: The text explains how names are formed from the original ancestor's name with specific suffixes (e.g., Garg → Gargi → Gargāyana → Gargāyana).
- Puranic Origin: It traces the origin of gotras to the four sons of Brahma: Bhrigu, Angira, Marichi, and Atri, and subsequently to seven prominent descendants like Jamadagni, Gautama, etc.
- Social Significance: The importance of gotra in ancient Indian society is highlighted, particularly in identifying representatives of families in community gatherings and the concept of the eldest son receiving the 'gotra' title.
- Pāṇini's Classification: Pāṇini classified these gotras into approximately 20 gaṇas (groups) based on their word forms and suffix rules.
- Gotra-avayava: It explains the concept of gotra-avayava (parts of a gotra) or kulākhyā (family names) like Punika, Bhunika, Mukhar.
- Rules for Derivatives: Various rules (bhāṣā) are explained for deriving names of lineage, including terms like yuvāpata (younger offspring) and respectful references to elders.
-
Janapada (Regions/Kingdoms):
- Definition: Janapada is defined as a community of villages or cities (grāmasamudāyo janapadaḥ - 4.2.1).
- Geographical Survey: The text lists and provides brief geographical and historical details about numerous ancient Indian janapadas mentioned in Pāṇini's Ashtadhyayi. These include:
- Kamboja (modern Pamir and Badakhshan)
- Praskanva (ancient Farghana)
- Gandhara (ancient name Gandhari)
- Sindhu (region east of the Indus River)
- Saubira (lower Indus region, capital Roruk/Rohri)
- Brāhmaṇaka (present-day Brahmanabad)
- Pāraskara (present-day Tharparkar district of Sindh)
- Kachchha (south of Sindh)
- Kekaya (region of Jhelum, Shahpur, Gujarat)
- Madra (northern part of ancient Vahika/Punjab, capital Sakala/Sialkot)
- Ushina (between Ravi and Chenab rivers)
- Ambaṣṭha (on the lower Chenab)
- Trigarta (between Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers)
- Kalkūṭa (in Kulinda region, near Dehradun/Kalsi)
- Bhardvāja (identified with Garhwal region)
- Raṅku (possibly east of Alaknanda and Pindar)
- Kuru (Kurushetra region, including Thanesar, Hastinapur, Hisar)
- Śālva (region from Alwar to northern Bikaner)
- Pratyagratha (Panchala, capital Ahichhatra)
- Ajāda (possibly modern Etawah region, famous for goats)
- Kāshi (ancient Kashi, capital Varanasi)
- Vriji (region north of the Ganges in Bihar)
- Magadha (south of Ganges, east of Kashi)
- Kalinga (eastern sea coast, Mahanadi river region)
- Sūramasa (valley and foothills of Surma river in Assam)
- Avantī (famous Mahajanapada, capital Ujjain)
- Kunti (region on the banks of Yamuna and Chambal, modern Gwalior)
- Aśmaka (capital Pratishthana, modern Paithan on Godavari)
- Bhauriki (likely southern Bengal)
- Barbara (near the confluence of Indus and the sea)
- Kashmir (well-known janapada)
- Urasa (modern Hazara, between Krishna Ganga and Jhelum)
- Darada (Gilgit-Hunza region of NW Kashmir)
- Gabdikā (ancient name for Guddian region in Chamba)
- Kiṣkindhā (ancient name for Khukhundon near Gorakhpur)
- Paṭṭacara (possibly south of Saraswati river, modern Pataudi)
-
Parvata (Mountains):
- General Terms: Words related to mountains like himani (heavy snow), himashratha (melting snow), upatyaka (foothills/valley), and adityaka (high plateau) are mentioned.
- Specific Mountains:
- Himalaya: Its three ranges are discussed (antargiri, upagiri, bahigiri).
- Trikūṭa: Identified with Trikot, a peak between Punjab and Kashmir, described as a triple wall of mountains.
- Vidoora: Mentioned as the origin of vaidoorya (cat's eye gemstone).
-
Vana (Forests):
- Mention of Forests: The text lists several forests like Puragāvana, Mishrakāvana, Sidhrakāvana, Agrevana, Kotrāvana, and Sharikāvana.
- Other Forests: It also mentions sharavana, ikṣuvaṇa, plakṣavaṇa, āmravana, khadira, and piyūkṣāvaṇa.
-
Nadī (Rivers):
- List of Rivers: The commentary provides a list of rivers mentioned in Pāṇini's Ashtadhyayi, including:
- Suvastu (modern Swat River) and its branches like Mashkavati and Pushkalavati.
- Sindhu (modern Indus River).
- Vipash (modern Beas River).
- Chandrabhaga (modern Chenab River).
- Irāvati (modern Ravi River).
- Devikā (a tributary of Ravi, identified with Deg River).
- Ajiravati (modern Rapti River).
- Sarayu (famous river in Kosala).
- Charumvati (modern Chambal River).
- Sharavati (identified with Ghaggar River in Kurukshetra).
- Rumanvat (possibly modern Luni River).
- Rathasya (Ramganga River).
- Udumbara Vati (a small river in Kangra region).
- Ikshumati (Ganges tributary, modern East of Farrukhabad).
- Drumati (possibly Dras River in Kashmir).
- List of Rivers: The commentary provides a list of rivers mentioned in Pāṇini's Ashtadhyayi, including:
-
Māna (Weights and Measures) and Mudrā (Coins):
- Classification: Māna is classified into unmāna (weights), parimāṇa (currency/coins), and pramāṇa (length/dimensions).
- Weights: Various ancient units of weight are listed, such as tulā (scales), guñjā (ratti), kakani, māṣa, biśta (80 rattis), añjali (Kudav), prasṛti, kuṇij, prastha, āḍhaka, and droṇa, along with their equivalents in tolas and their relationships based on Charaka and Arthashastra.
- Length: Units of length like aṅgula (finger-width), yava (barley grain), vitasti (cubit), aralī, kiṣku, khāta, daṇḍa, rajju (rope), and hasti are mentioned.
- Currency: Units of currency are listed, including niṣka, kārṣāpaṇa, and śatamāna, with their corresponding weights in māṣas and guñjās.
- Purchasing Power: The purchasing power of one kārṣāpaṇa in Pāṇini's time is estimated based on the amount of grain it could buy.
- Coinage: The text includes illustrations and descriptions of kārṣāpaṇa molds and coins found at Norangabad (Bamhala) and Singhol, attributing the discovery and documentation to Swami Omanand Saraswati.
Overall Purpose:
This volume aims to make the complex rules of Pāṇini's Ashtadhyayi accessible by providing clear explanations and contextual information in Sanskrit and Hindi. It serves as an educational resource for understanding the grammatical framework that shaped classical Sanskrit literature, with a particular emphasis on the linguistic and geographical knowledge embedded within Pāṇini's work.
The summary covers the detailed discussions on grammar, etymology, social customs, and geography as presented in these pages.